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Children fare better when expectations on them are clear and firm.

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

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.

Removing a child from a traumatic environment does not remove the trauma from the child's memory.

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

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

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.

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.

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

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

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Diagnostic Criteria for Depression

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA for MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER DSM-IV   Presence of 5 or more of the following during the same 2  week period and represent a change from  previous functioning. a) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every  day   b) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or  almost all activities   c) significant change in weight or appetite – either  increase or decrease   d) insomnia   e) agitation nearly every day   […]

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The “Behavioural” Approach

The behavioural approach to managing children involves the application of learning principles identified by famous psychologists such as Pavlov, Thorndike, Skinner, Wolpe and Bandura. Each one of these individuals and countless others described strategies that increased desired behaviours, decreased undesired behaviours or taught new behaviours. These behaviour pioneers stressed the importance of direct observation and carefully analyzing the nature of the child’s behaviour in terms of “what is the kid trying to achieve?”. Once the […]

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What Do The Young People Say Depression Was Like?

“It was like a dread inside, there all the time. When I was with my friends it would go away a bit, but it always came back.” Jack – age 15   “I started worrying about everything, even things that never bothered me before. I was so worried about being asked a question in school that I used to feel sick in the mornings. Some days I just could not go to school.”    Lois […]

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Teen Depression vs Adult Depression

DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOMS IN ADULTS & TEENS   ADULTS tend to be sad stay sad sleep less eat less decrease in libido no change in anxiety no change in physical problems Teens tend to be angry, irrational, act out cycles in and out frequently sleep more eat more libido seldom impaired increased anxiety complains of somatic symptoms There is a marked increase in irritability which is frequently evident in young people leading to family conflicts. […]

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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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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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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

“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)