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

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

If there is no relationship - nothing else matters !

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 teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

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

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.

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

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

Criticism is not a motivator.

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Suicide Threats – Do’s & Don’ts

DO’S & DON’TS WITH A SUICIDE THREAT
DO:
                  1. stay calm
                  2. talk to him         – listen
                                                      – don’t try to “talk” him out of how he is feeling
                                                      – don’t try to cheer him up
                                                      – show concern
                                                      – reassure person you know how to get    help
                                                      – ascertain how well thought out the plans are (fleeting thoughts of suicide are
                                                                                       common – well thought out plans need to be taken seriously)
                  3. get mental health help
                  4. have someone with the young person at all times
                  5. remove dangerous items
 
 
DON’T:
                  1. assume the person is “just trying to get attention”
                  2. promise that you won’t tell anyone
                  3. tell the person how to feel
                  4. try to argue someone out of feeling suicidal
                  5. say “that’s dumb” or “snap out of it”
                  6. challenge the person to “go ahead and do it”
 
Attempts frequently occur after a conflict or stressful event
– these events do not cause an attempt
– they make teen more vulnerable
 
An attempt can be a “turning point”
(an opportunity for change)

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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)