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Parents are the external regulator for kids who cannot regulate themselves.

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

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.

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

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

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)

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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.

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

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.

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Parenting a FASD Toddler

The main developmental tasks for a toddler are:

– to learn he is a separate person

– to learn his body is his own

– to learn his ideas and feelings have value

Life becomes increasingly frustrating for the toddler as the demands and expectations placed on him increase. He will discover that he is unable to do many of the things he wants to do himself eg. feed, dress himself, etc.)

Guidelines for toddlers with FASD

  • consistency, routine and help remain paramount
  • caregiving can begin to be shared by a few others
  • daycare can provide relief
  • power struggles begin to emerge (the “terrible two’s”)
  • normal household expectations can be overwhelming(eg. clean the playroom)
  • FASD toddler behaviour problems begin to be a major source of conflict with siblings
  • your anger and lectures are useless management tools
  • natural and logical consequences have limited success
  • gear all opportunities for success
  • structure, routine, consistency & repetition are key tools
  • works best if FASD child is the youngest in the home

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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

“He is a wealth of knowledge coupled with first hand experience.”

(E.K. – London)