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

Hurt people hurt people.

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

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.

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

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

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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

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

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

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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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+ Lick Your Kids

  “Lick Your Kids” (figuratively not literally) (2 hours) First […]

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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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+ Taming a Toddler

Many parents wonder what hit them when their sweet little baby turns into an unreasonable toddler – ideas for dealing with mealtime, bedtime, temper tanturms, toilet training, noncompliance, etc.

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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 are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)