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

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

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

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 are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

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

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

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

It is what we say and do when we're angry that creates the very model our children will follow when dealing with their own frustrations.

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.

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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

“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)