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"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

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

A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

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.

"The thing that impresses me most about North America is the way parents obey their children"    (King Edward VII , 1841-1910)

Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

The best inheritance  parents can give their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

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Common Reactions of Parents Managing Children with FASDanger

anger hopelessness guilt frustration withdraws “why me?” overwhelmed None of these feelings resolve the problem!

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Ten Things to do with a Pencil – – if you’re ADHD

10 Things To Do With A Pencil ( . . . if you’re ADHD) Fly it through the air Roll it across your desk and let it fall to the floor Stick it in the screw of the chair Eat it Poke your neighbor Stick it up your nose Pick the threads of your socks Sharpen it  . . sharpen it again . . sharpen it again Pretend it is a drum stick 10.Lose it […]

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Behavioural Characteristics of FASD

Behaviour problems with individuals with FASD are a major concern for parents and schools: learning disabilities – academic – ADD / ADHD – speech and language – information processing – patterning problems poor impulse control inability to relate behaviour to consequences no sense of connection to societal rules poor short term memory inconsistent knowledge base poor personal boundaries confusion under pressure difficulty grasping abstract concepts inability to manage his/her anger inability to manage other’s anger […]

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Frequency of Depression

  Depression is increasing in numbers. Is it because: incidents of depression is increasing more services are available families are more willing to seek help greater recognition Depression in adults is relatively easy to diagnose: there is a pronounced change in mood changes persist adults usually acknowledge the problem adults have some mature insights they are usually motivated to “fix” it Depression in young people is harder to diagnose is he/she depressed or just being […]

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Diagnostic Criteria for FASD

All of the below must be present for a confident diagnosis: growth deficiency characteristic facial features central nervous system problems – microcephaly (small head) – hyperactivity – learning disabilities – developmental disabilities – seizures – mental retardation The characteristic facial features are most obvious between 8 months of age and 8 years. Diagnosis becomes more difficult in older individuals because puberty changes facial and body features. Frequently a diagnosis of FASD is made without clear […]

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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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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

“Our daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)