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

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

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

The best inheritance  parents can give their children is a few minutes of their time each day.

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

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

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

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.

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Common Reactions of Parents Managing Children with FASDanger

anger hopelessness guilt frustration withdraws “why me?” overwhelmed None of these feelings resolve the problem!

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Ten Things to do with a Pencil – – if you’re ADHD

10 Things To Do With A Pencil ( . . . if you’re ADHD) Fly it through the air Roll it across your desk and let it fall to the floor Stick it in the screw of the chair Eat it Poke your neighbor Stick it up your nose Pick the threads of your socks Sharpen it  . . sharpen it again . . sharpen it again Pretend it is a drum stick 10.Lose it […]

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Behavioural Characteristics of FASD

Behaviour problems with individuals with FASD are a major concern for parents and schools: learning disabilities – academic – ADD / ADHD – speech and language – information processing – patterning problems poor impulse control inability to relate behaviour to consequences no sense of connection to societal rules poor short term memory inconsistent knowledge base poor personal boundaries confusion under pressure difficulty grasping abstract concepts inability to manage his/her anger inability to manage other’s anger […]

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Frequency of Depression

  Depression is increasing in numbers. Is it because: incidents of depression is increasing more services are available families are more willing to seek help greater recognition Depression in adults is relatively easy to diagnose: there is a pronounced change in mood changes persist adults usually acknowledge the problem adults have some mature insights they are usually motivated to “fix” it Depression in young people is harder to diagnose is he/she depressed or just being […]

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Diagnostic Criteria for FASD

All of the below must be present for a confident diagnosis: growth deficiency characteristic facial features central nervous system problems – microcephaly (small head) – hyperactivity – learning disabilities – developmental disabilities – seizures – mental retardation The characteristic facial features are most obvious between 8 months of age and 8 years. Diagnosis becomes more difficult in older individuals because puberty changes facial and body features. Frequently a diagnosis of FASD is made without clear […]

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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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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 daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)