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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)

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

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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

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

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

"The thing that impresses me most about North America is the way parents obey their children"    (King Edward VII , 1841-1910)

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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

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School and the FASD Child

School demands (behaviour and academics) can be overwhelming for a child with FASD. In my opinion behaviour should take precedence over academics. It is possible that the sights, sounds and human dynamics within the school may be too stimulating for the child. Expect rules to be have to be taught , retaught and retaught  some more.  It will probably be beneficial for the child to sit near the teacher and he will probably  take a […]

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Depression & Anxiety Disorder in Teens

ANXIETY DISORDER IS A STRONG PREDICTOR OF DEPRESSION   “Depression” is mourning the “past” or “present”. “Anxiety” is fearing the “”future”.   “Anxiety” is a normal  and useful reaction and warns us to be careful:                                     – wear a seatbelt                                     – use a bike helmut                                     – designated driver                                     – hold a child’s hand when crossing a street   Worries and fears that interfere with “normal” life and routines are anxiety disorders   […]

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Caregiving – FASD (part 3)

3 steps to managing children with FASD a) Recognize that FASD is a medical condition – FASD is not a bad attitude – it must be treated as a medical condition – society has denied this reality of FASD and blames the indivivual – “just sit down and behave” is unrealistic – punishing a child with FASD for brain damage is useless – society (homes, schools, treatment centres, hospitals, jail) seldom provide adequate     […]

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FASD Caregivers (part 2) – often times an invisible handicap

Often times individuals with FASD do not display the physical features associated with FASD. Their appearance does not  give any hint of the neurological problems that are hidden. Individuals with invisible handicaps are: easy to forget about their limitations easy to not provide compassion, understanding and forgiveness Children and adults with FASD need incredible amounts of: consistency reinforcement creativity time compassion understanding perseverance forgiveness repetition The more dysfunctional – the more of EVERYTHING

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FASD – What Can a Caregiver Do? (part 1)

It is easy for us to to fail to recognize and respect the struggle and courage it takes for someone with FASD to make it through the day! We must remember: that irreversible brain damage occurred before birth FASD individuals will not “will power” their way out of it caregivers cannot “love” their way out of it children with FASD are difficult to rear and teach BUT IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE

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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

“Rick’s approach is so logical. He helped us clearly define the problem, analyze what has happened and select the best strategy. We now feel empowered to do something positive for our kid”

(A.N. – Tillsonburg)