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

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)

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Simple rules adhered to when children are young can prevent more serious problems later.

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

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FASD

FASD – What is it?

  • it is damage to the brain and body
  • the damage is caused by alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy
  • it is the leading cause of mental retardation in North America
  • its effects are irreversible and lifelong
  • its effects vary from slight to devastating

Characterized by:

  • growth deficiency
  • central nervous system dysfunction (ie. brain damage)
  • special facial features (not always)
  • body malformation (not always)

Fetal Alcohol Related Problems have Significant Impact on:

  • individuals
  • families
  • schools
  • treatment centres
  • jails
  • health system

The cost of providing services for 1 individual with FASD for a lifetime have risen dramatically:

  • 1980     =     $500,000
  • 1989     =     $1,400,000
  • 1994     =     $2,400,000
  • current =        ?
  • future    =     ? ? ?

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

(C.C. – Sarnia)