welcome image

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

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

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

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

When a child is disregulated - is the time parents need to be regulated.

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

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

There has been an explosion in the prescribing of medication for very young children, particularly preschool and kindergarten boys (Juli Zito , Univ. of Maryland)

Criticism is not a motivator.

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

Learn more.

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 […]

Read complete blog post

An Adoptive Mother of a Child with FASD

“Children with FASD have permanent, irreversible brain damage – you do not outgrow it, and you cannot fix it, love it away, punish it away or ignore it away. You can however, provide the types of long-term intervention, support, structure and supervision that encourage, promote and allow adequate function” (Jan Lutke – adoptive mother of 12 children with FASD – British columbia)

Read complete blog post

Diagnosing ADD/ADHD

Diagnosing ADD/ADHD is not as simple and straightforward as you would think it should be. There are no “hard” biological markers detectable by conventional diagnostic tests (example – Xrays, blood tests, MRIs, etc.) Diagnosis is usually made by observing a child and comparing his/her behavioural characteristics with those of other children. Parents, teachers and others who know the child well are asked to rate the child on various checklists and scales (examples – Conners, ACTeRs, […]

Read complete blog post

Delayed Gratification

  “Compared to previous generations, young people are more likely to want lots of money and nice things but are less likely to say they’re willing to work hard to earn them.” (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin) A prime example of this is the number of children and teens who have their own smart phone, but do absolutely nothing to earn the privilege of the device. Those who don’t have a smart phone, […]

Read complete blog post

Security Blankets

Many toddlers and preschoolers have a special blanket or stuffed toy that is very important to them. Researchers have found that these security items are appropriately named because they actually do provide a feeling of security for children. Approximately 60% of young children do have an attachment to a comforting blanket or toy. Children eventually outgrow their need for such items and parents should not force their child to give them up before they are […]

Read complete blog post




Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

Learn more

+ Lick Your Kids

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

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ 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.

Learn more

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

Archive


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)