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A tantruming toddler is a little ball of writhing muscle and incredible strength. It's like trying to carry a greased pig past a slop bucket.

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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.

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.

You cannot reason with someone who is being unreasonable.

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

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

"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

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

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

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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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+ 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)