Eastern Illinois University Joins Network Partnership

The Autism Center at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is the newest network partner of The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP). The Autism Center at EIU opened its doors in 2015 and officially became a TAP partner in July of 2022. This program offers a collection of services for individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These services are provided by the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences at EIU, TAP, donations, and EIU program fees.

The Autism Center at EIU provides 3 tiers of services:

• The STEP Program (Student Transitional Education Program)
• Diagnostic Evaluations and Therapy Services
• Professional Education

The STEP Program is unique to EIU. This program offers specific services for EIU students with autism including group therapy classes, executive functioning, social pragmatics, and academic and classroom navigation. Each student receives 1:1 training and is provided with an EIU student mentor. Thanks to TAP funding, the STEP Program is now able to take on graduate assistants to help provide support. TAP is also supporting the STEP Program by funding a recreation and leisure area to get students out and about and to allow them the opportunity to socialize with peers.

The Autism Center at EIU also offers clinical services in the form of diagnostics, evaluations, therapy/treatment services, and a Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and hearing clinic that is student-run. Thanks to TAP EIU will be able to focus on a wider range of diagnostics and grow to offer recommendations from a variety of disciplines with more detail.