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

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.

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

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

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

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

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

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

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Contributing Factors to Teen Depression

Contributing Factors to Depression 1. Genes                – there is a genetic component                                 – most children of depressed parents do not become depressed but there is an increased risk                                                               […]

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Asperger’s

  Asperger’s Syndrome   What is it?             Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that results in behavioural  characteristics that are best described as “odd” or “eccentric”. The cause is not  known although there appears to be a strong genetic component as it has a high heritability rate. There is no cure. There are, however interventions that can yield positive results.   History Dr. Hans Asperger (Austrian pediatrician and psychiatrist) observed 4 children in his practice […]

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Differential Diagnosis – could it be something other than depression?

  DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS The symptoms outlined above could be caused by other conditions:                   eg.           – parasitic diseases                               – Lyme disease                                     – virus                                                           – mononucleosis                                     – brain diseases                                       – lesions, tumor                                     – allergic disorders                                – hypothyroidism                                     – chronic infections                         […]

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Professional Development

I have attended 3 separate day long conferences in the last few weeks that all basically had the same prescription for troubled and troubling youth. Annette Kussin (MSW) was speaking in London on “Attachment in Adolescence”. Stanley Kutcher (MD) was at CPRI in London and his topic was “The Developing Adoscent Brain” and Stuart Shanker (Ph.D) presented “Bringing Self Regulation into the Classroom” in Mississauga. All three of these individuals emphasized that caregivers must develop […]

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FASD and Early Adolescence (13-17 years)

The 2 main goals for parents during this stage are: 1.to prepare the young person to associate , identify and become a part of his community 2. to begin separation from parents Guidelines for Parents expect “normal” teen behaviour – clothes, hair style, music, etc (choose your battles wisely) expect your teen to resist your “help” or “advice” (it’s normal) teens frequently become socially isolated – rejected by peer group your teen may gravitate to […]

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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

“Implementing Rick’s techniques and adhering to them is exhausting, but it is a healthy exhaustion rather than the detrimental exhaustion I used to experience.”

(B.F. – Woodstock)