For Parents

I became an Occupational Therapist for two important people in my life. My sister and my cousin. I’ll name their names here…not to out them, but to honor them. Janelle Harper and Aaron Harper I speak your name.

 I’m standing in a store with a 15-year-old young man diagnosed with Autism. We are an unlikely gang of four: me, another clinician, his mother, and Joseph. Joe towers over my 5’1’’ frame, and he’s twice my weight.  

* Is it important to remember that you're a parent first, rather than a friend (and how and why do you make this separation?)

Over fifty years of research has given us clear information on what is the most supportive and positive type of relationship that yields the best parent-child outcome. Baumrind (1965) talks about one positive style called the Authoritative parenting style

Mom, I’m bored! They whine, they yell, they act as though that is your problem! And more often than not, you make it your problem. When you see that face or hear those words you spring into action

Beads of sweat appeared on dad's forehead and he began wringing his hands nervously, while tears welled in mom's eyes. Dr. Julia Harper, Ph.D., MS, OTRL had evaluated the brain development

One in twenty-five people have a processing disorders, but most go undetected and when untreated it could result in delays in development, attention and behavior problems which can often

I’m sitting on a plane with my family, returning home from a wonderful trip in St. Martin this past spring. As we were settling in, the stewardess approached me to have a girl that was about 10 years old, sit next to me.