Alternative Teaching

Specialties

We specialize in treatment-​resistant children. This means that when the other services

aren’t successful they call on us. Most of our clients are readily identified by service

providers because they have been psychiatrically hospitalized multiple times, have had

several police contacts, or have numerous suspensions or expulsion from school. We tend

to work with children aged 3 to 17 years old.

Even if your child does not match the description above, if you are at the end of your rope,

please give us a call. Our techniques are designed to work with extreme behaviors, and

children who have less severe problems can often benefit in fewer than the typical 12

sessions. We can design an abbreviated protocol that will work for you and your family.

History

Established in 1996.

James Kling has been actively working in the field of behavioral psychology for

over twenty years. Mr. Kling received his M.A. in Special Education from

Northeastern Illinois University.

Mr. Kling has been concerned about the increasing numbers of children not

effectively responding to traditional behavior modification methods, he founded

Alternative Teaching, Inc. and developed the Fair but Firm Model in 1996. Since

then, Mr. Kling has specialized in «treatment resistant» children and adolescents,

and is often contacted after repeated severe behavioral disruptions and when

traditional methods have been unsuccessful.

Mr. Kling’s Fair

But Firm in–

home service

program is

designed to

work with

youth

exhibiting

behavioral

problems such

as disrespect, defiance, verbal and physical aggression truancy, and an ongoing

refusal to comply with instructions from parents or teachers.

Meet the Business Owner

James K.

Business Owner

Mr. Kling’s most recent work was the adaptation of his Fair but Firm Model for

group homes that serve an adolescent population with serious behavioral and

interpersonal problems. His program provides a non-​confrontational approach to

behavior management together with a framework for programmatic activities.

Utilization of the Fair but Firm program has resulted in dramatic positive

changes in behavior of the youth involved in the Program. This increase in

positive behaviors provided less disruption in the home. The calmer atmosphere

in the home allowed staff to be more effective when teaching life skills and

illness management.

Mr. Kling provides comprehensive training in effective behavior management

techniques to foster parents, foster care, residential, and group home staff, post–

adoption families, and school personnel. His personal interactive method has

earned him an excellent reputation for his ability to teach and demonstrate key

learning concepts.