ASSIST Training Program
Transitioning from school-based to adult service systems is challenging for many families of youth on the autism spectrum. Additionally, the adult service system can be complicated and difficult to navigate for many. The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)’s ASSIST Training program aims to improve parents’ ability to advocate for adult services on behalf of their child or young adult on the autism spectrum.
ASSIST stands for Advocating for Supports to Improve Service Transitions and is a modulized advocacy training program for parents of youth with autism covering multiple topics related to transitioning to adulthood. ASSIST was piloted as a multi-site research project with TAP network partner, the University of Illinois being one of the initial sites participating. Other sites included: Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Now the ASSIST Training is part of the statewide training curriculum for TAP.
Eligibility: The TAP ASSIST Training is free and open to all Illinois parents/guardians who have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ages fourteen to twenty-two.
Training Dates and Topics
All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
There are twelve modules in the training program. Each module features an expert-led presentation on a relevant transition topic and includes time for parent discussion and questions.
Click on the presenter’s name to read their biography.
| DATE | PRESENTER | TOPIC | REGISTRATION |
| Aug 14, 2023 | Reagan Carey | Person-Centered Planning | registration closed |
| Sept 11, 2023 | Timothy Rigby | Surrogate Decision-Making: Guardianship and Alternatives | registration closed |
| Oct 9, 2023 | Alexandra Baig | Supplementary Security Income (SSI) | registration closed |
| RESCHEDULED DATE Nov 6, 2023 |
Alexandra Baig | Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) & Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | registration closed |
| Nov 13, 2023 | Marla Root | Health Insurance Options | registration closed |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Megan Mutti | PUNS, Home-based Services and Adult Waiver Supports | registration closed |
| Jan 8, 2024 | Sherry Healey | Competitive Integrated Employment | registration closed |
| Jan 22, 2024 | Erik Hanson | IDHS-DRS: A Program Overview | registration closed |
| Feb 12, 2024 | Jill Fahy | Post-Secondary Education | registration closed |
| March 11, 2024 | Laurie Williams | Housing, Independent Living, and Enabling Technology | registration is closed |
| April 8, 2024 | Mike C Walther II | Special Needs Trust (SNT) & ABLE Account | registration is closed |
| May 13, 2024 | Reagan Carey | Advocacy | registration is closed |
If you have questions, please contact Shannon Dyson at sdyson@hope.us
About us
The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Network is a collaboration of 5 universities and 9 organizations that together operate 20 centers across the state. As a network, TAP is able to offer services that respond to the unique needs of different communities across Illinois.
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Contact
The Autism Program of Illinois
Hope Pavilion
5220 S. 6th Street,
Suite 2300B
Springfield IL 62703