Special
Education
Alliance
200
SEA Scrolls
www.sea200.org
Seeing the ability in every child
May 2009
Psychologist offers tips for managing behavior in kids with autism
by Carla Kemp ● SEA200 Newsletter Editor
Clinical psychologist Tim Wahlberg,
Ph.D., has a simple goal when working
with children on the autism spectrum:
to help them be happy and functional
in our social world.
A simple goal that is anything but
simple to achieve.
“Children with autism are the most
challenging of all the
exceptionalities,” said Dr. Wahlberg,
who spoke at SEA200’s April meeting.
“They’re all very unique, and that’s
what makes them challenging.”
Dr. Wahlberg, clinical director of The
Prairie Clinic in Geneva, approaches
therapy from a behavioral model,
focusing on how children with autism
process the world. “It’s not wrong how
they process the world, it’s just
different.”
All behavior has a purpose, he
explained, and figuring out why
behavior occurs is the key to
treatment.
Basic differences
It’s important for people to
understand that there are basic
differences in the brain development
of typical children and children on the
spectrum.
From birth, typical children a “hardwired” to seek out stimulation, Dr.
Wahlberg explained. They engage with
those around them and learn that if
they cry, someone will feed them,
rock them and take care of them. At
around 9 months of age, language
begins to develop, and they learn to
use words to express their wants and
needs. Between the ages of 3 and 5,
children begin to compare themselves
to others. They figure out who the
smart kids are and who is athletic.
All of this happens automatically, Dr.
Wahlberg explained. “I don’t have to
teach my kids to compare themselves
with other kids.”
See Autism on Page 2
Inside …
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Summer camps and recreation.
Pages 3-5.
Thanks to our donors. Page 6.
Autism – from Page 1
Dr. Wahlberg explained how he
teaches children to see the shades of
gray.
Children also learn to do things by
watching others and develop empathy.
The more they interact with others,
the better they become at reading
people’s emotions and handling
unpredictability.
One child, for example, had a
meltdown because he thought he was
in trouble for not brushing his teeth.
Dr. Wahlberg drew a line with the
numbers 1 to 10 on each end. The 1
was labeled “Helped a lady cross the
street.” The 10 was labeled “Robbed a
bank.” Dr. Wahlberg then asked the
child where not brushing his teeth
would fall on the line. The child then
could see that neglecting to brush his
teeth was not nearly as bad as robbing
a bank.
The process is entirely different for
kids with autism. When they come into
the world, they are overwhelmed by
the stimulation around them. Noises
are too loud. Lights are too bright.
Clothing is uncomfortable. “It’s 10
times what we feel,” Dr. Wahlberg
explained.
These kids can’t turn down the
volume, but they can tune it out. So
instead of learning from their
environment, they are focusing on
controlling it so they can be more
comfortable. As a result, they are not
learning by watching others, they are
not developing empathy and social
skills, and they are not figuring out
how to adapt to change.
Managing behavior
When trying to manage inappropriate
behavior, setting black-and-white
boundaries is key, according to Dr.
Wahlberg. It’s important for both
mom and dad to be on the same page
and to be consistent.
Dr. Wahlberg worked with an eighthgrader who for years would not do his
homework. After talking to the boy,
Dr. Wahlberg discovered that once —
in third grade — the boy didn’t turn in
his homework and nothing happened.
In his mind, there was always the
possibility that he could get away with
it again.
This difference in how children on the
spectrum process their environment
can help explain why they are bound
by their routines, why they gravitate
to computers and video games, and
why seeing a mound of wrapped
presents on Christmas morning would
send them into a tailspin.
Schedules also are a good tool to help
reduce children’s anxiety. Many
children do better at school, where
they know what will happen during the
day, Dr. Wahlberg explained. For
example, they always eat lunch at
12:05 p.m., and the teacher wouldn’t
See Autism on Page 3
All or nothing
Children on the spectrum also are
black-and-white thinkers. Things are
either good or bad. So when a child
scores a 97% on a test, he will think it
is bad. To him, 100% is good and
anything else is bad.
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Autism – from Page 2
dream of saying, “Today, we’re going
to eat at 1 p.m.” But at home, this
might happen all the time.
it wasn’t her fault. While parents may
view this as an excuse, the child may
not have been able to anticipate that
she might break a window if she threw
the rock.
Dr. Wahlberg suggested setting a
similar schedule at home to help
reduce tantrums. Once the child is
doing well, slowly switch things up to
teach the child to be flexible.
To handle this type of situation, Dr.
Wahlberg uses a strategy called
“prompting prior” or reminding
children of the outcome before they
do something.
Finding a motivator is key to changing
behavior.
So if a dad saw his daughter pick up
the rock, instead of grabbing it away
from her, he would lay out her two
options: You can throw the rock, but it
might break a window and then you
would have to pay for the window. Or
you could put the rock down and you
won’t get in trouble.
Dr. Wahlberg often uses what he calls
“My Time vs. Your Time.” If you finish
your homework, you will earn 20
minutes on the computer. If you play
with a neighbor for an hour, you can
watch TV for an hour.
The goal is to teach children to think
before they act.
“There comes a point where they
realize they don’t have to like it, they
just have to do it to be successful.”
He also encouraged parents to set
high expectations. “As soon as you
reach a goal,” he said, “set a new goal.”
Another area of difficulty for
children on the spectrum is
anticipating the consequences of their
actions. A child may pick up a rock and
throw it. When she gets in trouble for
breaking a window, she complains that
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Dr. Wahlberg acknowledged that all of
this takes time. But if parents are
willing to put in the time and effort,
they will see results.
Summer Camps & Recreation
The following recreation opportunities are sponsored by groups not affiliated
with or endorsed by SEA200. For details, call the numbers or visit the Web
sites provided. For additional resources, visit www.sea200.org.
Amusement parks
Six Flags Great America (and other amusement parks)
If you bring a note from your doctor stating your child’s disability, you can get a pass to
bypass the long lines at Six Flags and virtually all major amusement parks.
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Camps
Camp SOAR (Special Outdoor Adaptive Recreation)
Held at YMCA Camp Algonquin. Sponsored by Children’s Research Triangle, Chicago.
Contact: Call 312-726-4011, e-mail campsoar@cr-triangle.org or visit
www.childstudy.org/camp_soar
Camp SOAR offers children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in traditional
outdoor and recreational activities. The camp promotes physical and emotional well-being
for children while providing respite for parents.
Camps for Girls and Teens with Asperger’s, ADHD or Learning Disabilities
Contact: Francine Costanza, certified life coach and LD teacher, at 630-546-7332 or
ylnfc@yahoo.com
Four camps will be offered in June and July in Winfield. Activities include games, crafts,
role plays, self-care and an optional overnight at the end of the week.
Golf
Sunshine Course
Midwest Golf House, 11855 Archer Ave., Lemont
Contact: Call Alex Nolly at 630-685-2351 or e-mail anolly@cdga.org
Three hole golf course for people with special needs and their families.
Sunshine through Golf Foundation
Lessons and clinics for people with special needs. Visit www.sunshinethroughgolf.org
Martial arts
Superstar Karate
496 E. St. Charles Road, Carol Stream
Contact: 630-668-5425 or www.superstarkarate.net
Superstar Karate teaches children of all physical and mental abilities. It focuses on
character trait development such as respect, self-discipline and focus through the martial
arts.
Pathways Tae Kwon-Do
22W221 Geneva Road, Wheaton
Contact: 630-517-4472 or www.pathwaystkd.com
Pathways Tae Kwon-Do offers programs for children, teens and adults in a safe, fun
environment. It strives to create an avenue for all participants to develop as productive
members of their community
Therapeutic horseback riding
Blazing Prairie Stars
47W635 Beith Road, Maple Park
Contact: 630-365-5550, e-mail BlazingPS@msn.com or visit www.blazingprairiestars.com
BPS provides hippotherapy and equine-assisted growth, learning and enrichment programs to
individuals and groups of all ages and abilities. Staff include physical, occupational,
speech/language and music therapists, a master’s-level educator, a horse professional with a
degree in equine sciences and many volunteers.
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Equine Dreams
Sandwich
Contact: 815-498-924, e-mail ride@equinedreams.org or visit www.equinedreams.org
Therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities. All services are free.
Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities
28W051 Liberty St., Winfield
Contact: 630-588-8543 or visit www.ftea.org
Therapeutic equestrian activities for people with disabilities. Programs focus on ability
rather than disability in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Museums
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N. Washington St., Naperville
Contact: Call 630-637-8000
Families of children with autism are invited to come play from 5-7 p.m. on the third
Thursday of every month. Regular admission prices apply.
Park district programs
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA)
116 N. Schmale Road, Carol Stream
Contact: Call 630-681-0962 or visit www.wdsra.com
WDSRA offers recreational programs, special events and trips. The inclusion coordinator
will work with local park districts to set up an aide in a regular park district class for your
child at no cost to you. WDSRA serves Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle,
Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield.
Sports
Lose the Training Wheels
Contact: Laura Znajda at lznajda@eastersealsdfvr.org or 630-282-2037. Visit
www.losethetrainingwheels.org.
A five-day clinic designed to teach kids with special needs how to ride bikes will be held
Aug. 3-7 in Villa Park. Sponsored by Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region.
Swimming
Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley Region
McDonald Corp. Lodge Pool, Oak Brook
Contact: Call 630-420-4433
All aquatic therapy sessions are facilitated by a physical or occupational therapist.
Rush-Copley Healthplex
1900 Ogden Ave., Aurora
Contact: Call 630-978-6280
Adapt-a-Splash swim lessons are offered for kids with special needs in a warm water pool
with 1:1 student-teacher ratio.
YMCA
All YMCAs offer adaptive swim lessons. Call your local YMCA aquatic director for details.
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Thanks to our donors
SEA200 is grateful to our contributors, whose generosity helps us educate and
support children with special needs and their families. Below are all those who have
made contributions this past year. To learn more about giving opportunities, contact
Julie Yurko at 630-784-0206 or julieyurko@comcast.net. For more information on
SEA200, call Theresa Hinck at 630-653-3224 or e-mail tthinck@aol.com.
Great Seahorse Society
Partners
(Gifts of $250 or more)
(Gifts of $35 to $74)
Suzanne Bessette-Smith & David K. Smith
Ed and Shannon Downey: In honor of the staff at
Jefferson Preschool and Wiesbrook Elementary
Freeborn & Peters LLC
Deb Hamilton: In honor of Emerson Elementary
Students
The Hinck Family: In honor of Whittier Staff
Stephen and Christine Spanola
Beth Sullivan
Lisa and Michael Szudarski: In memory of Thomas
K. Ladd
Michelle and Mike Baxter: In honor of Calvin
Dana Battle
Susan and Michael Bianco
Margo Brown: In honor of Jack Kleve
Janet Courter
The Cruse Family
Nina Cunningham
Sarah and Matthew Donnelly
Mike and Patricia Doran
David and Mary K. Dungen
Holly Fisher: In honor of Calvin
Alan and Crystal Goldberg
Hauenstein Family
Amy Knorring
Scott and Joan Kolbaba
Bud and Liz Rein
Dana Rzechula
Tracie and Gary Sklenickay
Carolyn and Rob Struebing
The Yurko Family: In honor of Amy Bab, Lindy
Greenlee, Michele Huber, Kelly Mikoda, Keath
Murray and Priya Schultz
Sue Wozny: In honor of Theresa and Thea Hinck
…and 4 additional contributors not listed herein.
Crowned Seahorse Society
(Gifts of $100-$249)
Anonymous: In honor of our grandsons
Angelo and Elisabetta DeBiasio: In honor of Amanda
Lyubelsky
Friends of Thea Hinck
Kirsten Izatt
Patricia and Charles Jensen
The Jensen Family
Andy and Monica Johnson
Carla and Dave Kemp: In honor of the staff at
Pleasant Hill
Linda Knicker
The Kostro Family
Pamela LaPlaca
Rob and Maria Lappano
Erika and Aaron Lytle: With thanks to Julie Yurko
Alex and Tonie Lyubelsky
Gennady and Larisa Lyubelsky: In honor of Amanda
Lyubelsky
Carolyn Schierhorn: In honor of Amy Norton
Jeff and Kay Summers
The Wheeler Family
Janis Williams
The Yurko Family
….and one additional contributor not listed herein.
Friends
(Gifts up to $34)
Dana Banach
Guy and Janis Groner
Sheila Herpolsheimer
Corey Johnson: In honor of Ms. Lenz
Daniel and Terry Maloney
Stefanie Taranto
Becky Venezia
Beth White
Kathy and Rick Zima: In honor of Ryan
….and 3 additional contributors not listed herein.
Contributions made in memory of John
Peluchiwski, grandfather of Joey Spanola
Speckled Seahorse Society
(Gifts of $75 to $99)
Anonymous
Deborah Di Verde, R.D.H.
Patti Gatsacos
Lynnette and Jon Eastlake
Bill and Georgy Ann Peluchiwski
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Spanola
Gus and Georgia Tasoulis
Anna Tymoszenko
Victoria and David Waterman
Carolyn M. Weith
Friends of Thea Hinck
May Kelly
Tallya Knippen, Districtwide nurse
Nancy and Mike Swanson
Lisa Wagner
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