Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 127 No. 3 Spring 2006 | Page 10

Whitewater Splash
On a sunny or foggy Tuesday morning, depending on where you were, three of our WSD vans departed to the
popular Whitewater Aquatic Center. Occupational therapist Cheri Dresdow and teacher Gina Reese-Wesseln
planned a reinforcer trip for the students involved in swim therapy. Students had been working on their
showering, dressing, and grooming routines with a focus on thoroughness and timeliness.
After several hours of frolicking in the water, these skills were practiced in the locker rooms with lunch as
the motivating factor. The group headed to the local McDonalds to practice ordering, paying, and using polite
table manners–all important social skills.
The group plans a reinforcer event each quarter. Newcomers to the swim therapy program include physical
therapy assistant Tonyia Fulton who began at WSD on February 27 and student Gared Gannon who earned the
trip. Ms. Dresdow says, “He has had excellent and positive behavior.” Good Job Gared! The group hopes to
get to go again ne ]X\