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The quickest way to change your child’s behaviour is to first change your own.

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

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

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

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)

Setting limits teaches your children valuable skills they will use the rest of their lives. One day, they will report to a job where their ability to follow rules will dictate their success.

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.

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

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

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Diagnosing ADD/ADHD

Diagnosing ADD/ADHD is not as simple and straightforward as you would think it should be. There are no “hard” biological markers detectable by conventional diagnostic tests (example – Xrays, blood tests, MRIs, etc.)

Diagnosis is usually made by observing a child and comparing his/her behavioural characteristics with those of other children. Parents, teachers and others who know the child well are asked to rate the child on various checklists and scales (examples – Conners, ACTeRs, Achenbach, Child Behaviour Checklist, etc.) and a qualified medical doctor or psychologist interprets the results and determines if the child meets the diagnostic criteria as outlined in DSM V. The symptoms must be observed in more than one setting to ensure that his/her behaviours are not caused by situational factors but indeed result from a brain based biochemical condition.

The child should also undergo a comprehensive medical examination to rule out the possibility of other medical conditions causing the behaviours of concern.

It is not uncommon for a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD to be missed because of the “fuzzy” criteria and the subjectivity of the reporters. There is considerable controversy among the “experts” about the diagnosing, causes and treatments of  ADHD.

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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

“We were so naive. We thought our son’s poor behaviour was just a phase he was passing through. Thankfully you led us ‘out of the wilderness'”

(N.S. – London)