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"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

"Cutting" is a visible sign to the world that you are hurting.

The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

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

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 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.

Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

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The Value of “Reading Rescue”

I would like to give you an update on the progress of a young boy who has been taking the Reading Rescue program. He is a grade 4 student in a regular classroom, who because of significant learning problems has been  falling  behind his classmates in all of his subjects. The reason for his reading problems is NOT because he can’t learn, it’s because of a  real learning disability. Most children learn to read in […]

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11 Problems Associated with Providing Foster Care to “Disturbed” Children

1. removal from the “maltreating” home is delayed 2. “maltreating” parents continue to sabotage current placement 3. increase in severity of disturbance in today’s foster / adopted children 4. inadequate preparation and follow-up support to foster /  adoption parents 5. failure to equip foster / adoption parents with practical   therapeutic strategies 6. foster / adoption parents receive a “disturbed” child, and are then later misperceived that they might  be the source of the child’s […]

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Did You Know ? # 1

A newborn will suck harder when he/she hears a recording of her/his mother speaking, but less so when she hears another woman’s voice. This is how we know that from birth, infants recognize mom’s voice.   Just after birth, as many as 40,000 new synapses are added to the baby’s brain every second.

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Agencies, Groups and Organizations

Below are some of the agencies, groups and organizations that I have had the privilege of providing training and consulting services to staff and clients:
 – Fanshawe College – W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind and Deaf – Good Beginnings Daycare – London District Catholic School Board – Elgin Assoc. for Community Living – Thames Valley Children’s Centre – Rehoboth Christian School – Province of Nova Scotia – Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre […]

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Common Reactions of Parents Managing children with FASD

The following reactions by parents are common: anger hopelessness guilt frustration withdrawal “why me?” overwhelmed None of these reactions however resolve the problem but they are understandable.

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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 psychiatrist recommended Rick to help us sort out behaviour management issues for our autistic son. He was an invaluable help.”

(C.C. – Sarnia)