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The challenge of adolescence is to balance the right of the parents to feel they are in charge with the need of the adolescent to gain independence.

It's more effective to reward your child for being "good" (appropriate) than to punish him for being "bad" (inappropriate).

Children mimic well. They catch what they see better than they follow what they hear.

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

We should not medicate the boys so they fit the school; we should change the school to fit the boy. (Leonard Sax, M.D. Ph.D)

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

Parenting style matters - a lot!

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

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Depression & Anxiety Disorder in Teens

ANXIETY DISORDER IS A STRONG PREDICTOR OF DEPRESSION
 
“Depression” is mourning the “past” or “present”.
“Anxiety” is fearing the “”future”.
 
“Anxiety” is a normal  and useful reaction and warns us to be careful:
                                    – wear a seatbelt
                                    – use a bike helmut
                                    – designated driver
                                    – hold a child’s hand when crossing a street
 
Worries and fears that interfere with “normal” life and routines are anxiety disorders
 
 
Anxiety disorders involve problems with behaviours and thoughts and are often accompanied by physiological  changes:
                  – rapid heart rate
                  – hyperventilation
                  – nausea
                  – sweating
                  – tremors
                  – etc.
__________________________________________________________________
CAUSES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS
Theories                – biological
                                     – pyschological
                                     – social
                                      – temperament
 
Most psychiatrists believe neurotransmitters are involved.

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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See more of our workshops


Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)