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If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

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

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.

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.

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

Early intervention is always better than crisis management - but it is never too late to do the right thing.

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.

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

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FASD – Lab Tests

There are no definitive lab tests for FASD. The clues to recognition lie in the subtle interplay of physical and psychological characteristics and a mother’s alcohol history. Diagnosis is based on: 1. a complete physical examination 2. a thorough maternal history Lab tests may be used to rule out other causes of similar looking disorders including: – deLange syndrome – Noonan syndrome – Dubowitz syndrome – Stickler syndrome -X-linked mental deficiency – fetal hydontoin syndrome […]

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ADHD and Executive Function

Most species of animals do not have the capability of planning for the future. They are unable to “self talk”. They react on impulse and are not able to evaluate their past actions rationally. Humans however do have this capability. It is called “executive function” and it gives us the option of modulating our behaviour. No single part of the human brain is solely in charge of this modulation, however it does appear that our […]

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Child and Youth Worker

I am please once again to be a part of the training team for new Child and Youth Counsellor program  (formerly Child & Youth  Worker) at Fanshawe College  (Woodstock campus). This 3 year program includes 3 academic semesters and 3 work term placements. Graduates move onto helping youth in schools, agencies, etc.

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Causes of Depression in Teens

CAUSES not clearly understood no consensus interaction between: – brain chemistry – genetic vulnerability, life events, coping skills     There is no gene or gene cluster, no one environmental factor or a single loss or traumatic event that triggers major depression.       Very conscientious, perfectionist types appear to be more prone to depression than their easy going peers.     Major depressive disorder  usually spontaneously passes within 2 years.       […]

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Differential Diagnosis

” Diagnosis drives treatment”. It is imperative that a correct diagnosis be made before a doctor prescribes a treatment. One of the difficulties in diagnosing ADD/ADHD is that there are numerous conditions that can cause ADD/ADHD symptoms. Below is a partial list of some of these conditions: hyperthyroidism pin worms sleep disorder ear infections hearing disorder mild seizures malnutrition nutritional deficiencies substance abuse some prescription drugs (eg. Dimetapp, Dilantin) Tourettes syndrome lead poisoning hypoglycemia season […]

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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 are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)