welcome image

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

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

We should not medicate the boys so they fit the school; we should change the school to fit the boy. (Leonard Sax, M.D. Ph.D)

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

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

Hurt people hurt 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.

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

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

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

Learn more.

Parenting a FASD Child (age 5-7 years)

The main developmental task for this aged child is to develop confidence to attempt new things.

Guidelines for Caregivers

  • give age appropriate knowledge of FASD to the child
  • be ready for problems to intensify as his world expands
  • routine, consistency, help & repetition remain key
  • problems for siblings increase – eg. embarrassment, stealing, fighting
  • “subtle” lessons on social skills are ineffective
  • medication MAY soften some behaviour problems
  • sports may serve as an outlet
  • discipline needs to be immediate, short, parent supervised, and planned
  • child can create considerable stress within family

Back to Top

Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

Learn more

+ Lick Your Kids

  “Lick Your Kids” (figuratively not literally) (2 hours) First […]

Learn more

+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

Learn more

+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

Learn more

+ 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.

Learn more

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

Archive


Parents' Comments

“Our psychiatrist recommended Rick to help us sort out behaviour management issues for our autistic son. He was an invaluable help.”

(C.C. – Sarnia)