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

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

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.

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

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

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

Many clinicians find it easier to tell parents their child has a brain-based disorder than suggest parenting changes. Jennifer Harris (psychiatrist)

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

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

Wouldn't it be nice if children would simply listen and learn.

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Contributing Factors to Teen Depression

Contributing Factors to Depression 1. Genes                – there is a genetic component                                 – most children of depressed parents do not become depressed but there is an increased risk                                                               […]

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Asperger’s

  Asperger’s Syndrome   What is it?             Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that results in behavioural  characteristics that are best described as “odd” or “eccentric”. The cause is not  known although there appears to be a strong genetic component as it has a high heritability rate. There is no cure. There are, however interventions that can yield positive results.   History Dr. Hans Asperger (Austrian pediatrician and psychiatrist) observed 4 children in his practice […]

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Differential Diagnosis – could it be something other than depression?

  DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS The symptoms outlined above could be caused by other conditions:                   eg.           – parasitic diseases                               – Lyme disease                                     – virus                                                           – mononucleosis                                     – brain diseases                                       – lesions, tumor                                     – allergic disorders                                – hypothyroidism                                     – chronic infections                         […]

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Professional Development

I have attended 3 separate day long conferences in the last few weeks that all basically had the same prescription for troubled and troubling youth. Annette Kussin (MSW) was speaking in London on “Attachment in Adolescence”. Stanley Kutcher (MD) was at CPRI in London and his topic was “The Developing Adoscent Brain” and Stuart Shanker (Ph.D) presented “Bringing Self Regulation into the Classroom” in Mississauga. All three of these individuals emphasized that caregivers must develop […]

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FASD and Early Adolescence (13-17 years)

The 2 main goals for parents during this stage are: 1.to prepare the young person to associate , identify and become a part of his community 2. to begin separation from parents Guidelines for Parents expect “normal” teen behaviour – clothes, hair style, music, etc (choose your battles wisely) expect your teen to resist your “help” or “advice” (it’s normal) teens frequently become socially isolated – rejected by peer group your teen may gravitate to […]

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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

“We were so naive. We thought our son’s poor behaviour was just a phase he was passing through. Thankfully you led us ‘out of the wilderness'”

(N.S. – London)