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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.

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 mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

Adolescence can be the cruelest place on earth. It can really be heartless.  ( Tori Amos)

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

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

Criticism is not a motivator.

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

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

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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

  1. expect “normal” teen behaviour – clothes, hair style, music, etc (choose your battles wisely)
  2. expect your teen to resist your “help” or “advice” (it’s normal)
  3. teens frequently become socially isolated – rejected by peer group
  4. your teen may gravitate to a negative peer group that encourages high risk behaviour
  5. your child will still require extensive learning assistance
  6. he / she may begin to realize the extent of their limitations

– unable to babysit

– unable to pass driver’s test

– can’t keep up with peers

7. he / she may begin to actually grieve at his own sense of loss and the permanence of the                                  disabilities

8. parents must move towards “letting go” – summer camp may be a good start

9. problems within the marriage sometimes surface at this point

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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

“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)