May 2009
Psychologist offers tips for managing behavior in kids with autism
by Carla Kemp ● SEA200 Newsletter Editor
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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 “hard-wired” 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 …
· Summer camps and recreation. Pages 3-5.
· Thanks to our donors. Page 6.
Autism – from Page 1
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Wahlberg explained how he teaches children to see the shades of gray.
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.
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 eighth-grader 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.
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
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.
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.
Finding a motivator is key to changing behavior.
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.
“There comes a point where they realize they don’t have to like it, they just have to do it to be successful.”
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 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.
To handle this type of situation, Dr. Wahlberg uses a strategy called “prompting prior” or reminding children of the outcome before they do something.
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.
The goal is to teach children to think before they act.
He also encouraged parents to set high expectations. “As soon as you reach a goal,” he said, “set a new goal.”
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.
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u 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.
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 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
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
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 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.
Equine Dreams
Sandwich
Contact: 815-498-924, e-mail or visit www.equinedreams.org
Therapeutic horseback ridingfor 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 orThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 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.
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 . For more information on SEA200, call Theresa Hinck at 630-653-3224 or e-mail .
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Great Seahorse Society
(Gifts of $250 or more)
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
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.
Speckled Seahorse Society
(Gifts of $75 to $99)
Friends of Thea Hinck
May Kelly
Tallya Knippen, Districtwide nurse
Nancy and Mike Swanson
Lisa Wagner
Partners
(Gifts of $35 to $74)
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.
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
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
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