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Children do not develop on their own - they only develop within relationships.

Some hope their children will be like sponges soaking up the truth and wisdom imparted by their parents. However appealing this philosophy might be, it seldom seems to catch on with their children.

Parenting style matters - a lot!

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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Asperger’s Syndrome (part 2)

 

 

 

There are no “hard” diagnostic tests for Asperger’s. The diagnosis is made through observation and reports from parents, teachers, etc. The majority of children with Asperger’s are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 11 although a diagnosis may not be made until adulthood.

There is no “cure” for Asperger’s Syndrome, however there are interventions that can yield positive results:

  • parental education
  • teacher education
  • behavioural approaches
  • training of social skills (ABA,IBI)
  • medications to relieve some of the symptoms (hyperactivity, irritability, aggression, compulsions, anxiety, depression)

What Can a Parent Do?

  1. have your child evaluated by a qualified medical doctor
  2. develop an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) with your child’s school
  3. ensure ALL adults working with your child are educated about Asperger’s
  4. think about “where do you want your child to be in the next 5, 10, 15 years” and plan and teach him/her the required skills

Individual with Asperger’s Syndrome perceive the world differently and many behaviours that seem odd, unusual or inappropriate are due to neurological differences and are NOT the result of intentional rudeness or bad behaviour and are most certainly not the result of bad parenting.

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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)