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Early intervention is always better than crisis management - but it is never too late to do the right thing.

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

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

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

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.

Parenting style matters - a lot!

Whining and crying are employed by kids for the purpose of getting something. If it works, then it was worth the effort and will be repeated.

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.

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.

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

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Diagnostic Criteria for Depression

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA for MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
DSM-IV

 
Presence of 5 or more of the following during the same 2  week period and represent a change from  previous functioning.
a) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every  day
 
b) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or  almost all activities
 
c) significant change in weight or appetite – either  increase or decrease
 
d) insomnia
 
e) agitation nearly every day
 
f) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
 
g) feelings of worthlessness
 
h) diminished ability to think or concentrate
 
i) recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation or suicide  attempt
 
 
The symptoms must not be due to another mental illness or be the effects of drugs or medical illness. They must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
 
 
 
THERE IS NO DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSTIC
TEST FOR DEPRESSION

 
Diagnosis is made by “talking” to people – it is not a great way to diagnose an illness – but it’s all the psychiatrist has !

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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

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)