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

The more 2 parents differ in their approaches to discipline, the more likely it leads to trouble for the child.

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

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

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)

Relationships matter:  change comes through forming trusting relationships. People, not programs change people.

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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

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

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Developmental Tasks During Adolescence

DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS DURING ADOLESCENTS

1) adjust to physical changes
2) separate from their parents
3) develop a social network
4) begin to focus on educational and vocational objectives
5) develop a sexual identity
 
 
All of the above is a lot to expect in the few short years of adolescence  = STRESS
 
 
STRESS HAS A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON PARTS OF THE BRAIN
INVOLVED IN THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF EMOTIONS
 
 
 
STRESSFUL EVENTS ARE AMONG THE STRONGEST PRECIPITANTS OF INITIAL EPISODES OF MAJOR DEPRESSION
 
 
 
DEPRESSION IS A MALFUNCTION OF STRESS MANAGEMENT !
 
 

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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

“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)