Region 1

The Autism Clinic and TAP Training Center at University of Illinois Chicago 1640 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608

Visit Website  |  gigriffin@uic.edu  |  312-413-1490

Serving children, adolescents, and adults

The Autism Clinic & TAP Training Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) is a specialty clinic and training center serving children, adolescents, and adults with known or suspected Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Housed in the Developmental Disabilities Family Clinics of the Institute on Disability & Human Development (IDHD), the Autism Clinic & TAP Training Center’s mission is to improve the lives of individuals with ASD and their families through clinical service; community, academic, and professional training; and research. The Autism Clinic & TAP Training Center is dedicated to serving underserved urban minority groups in the city of Chicago and surrounding areas. Clinical Services include: diagnostic evaluations and re-evaluations, parent training and consultation, behavioral consultation, individual treatment, social skills groups, and speech & language therapy. Post-Secondary Transition Services include:  UIC peer mentoring, training, and support program for college students with ASD and a summer transition program for Latino families and youth. Consultation and Training Services include: workshops and information sessions for parents and educators, program consultation and evaluation, case-based school consultation, and tele-health presentations. Research Program includes: Social skills training evaluation, effectiveness of parent training with minority parents, family support policies.

Have Dreams
515 Busse Highway, Suite 150, Park Ridge, IL 60068 – 847-685-0250
2020 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202 – 847-905-0702
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Serving children, teens, and young adults

We are a Chicago-area 501(c)(3) autism resource organization serving children, teens and young adults with autism. Have Dreams offers individualized after-school classes, vocational, life skills and transition to employment programs, along with diagnostic and family support services. Our continuum of services support individuals from early childhood through adulthood, and we offer a broad range of programs to serve the full range of the autism spectrum. Have Dreams also provides best-practice autism training for professionals as well as individual, in-home and school consultative services.

Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays (RCADD)
10 S. Kedzie, Room 202, Chicago, IL 60612 – 312-746-5447
4314 S. Cottage Grove Rd, Room 103, Chicago, IL 60653 – 312-747-8571
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Serving ages birth to 5 years

RCADD was established to share resources, referral information, and training for families and educators of children with developmental disabilities.  RCADD’s professional staff works with families and providers to identify a child’s strength, select or create appropriate resources, and construct a support team to encourage the child’s growth and development. RCADD hosts a lending library with free materials to check out for use at home or school. Resources include books, software, games, home teaching kits, and visual supports. We provide referral information and basic case management necessary to link families and providers to relevant services, resources, and training. RCADD trainings are designed in light of evidence-based treatments and interventions as well as current promising best practices.

The Answer, Inc.
7600 West Roosevelt Rd, #12, Forest Park, IL 60130

Visit Website    |     info@theanswerinc.org     |      708-296-5651

Serving all ages

The Answer, Inc. provides support, resources, education, recreation and advocacy for families impacted by ASD and developmental disorders. Services include support groups, case management, nutrition exercise and dance program, tutoring, bullying intervention, referrals, and first responder training.

The Hope Institute Learning Academy
1628 W Washington Chicago, Illinois 60612

Visit Website    |    vvann@thehopeinstitute.us     |    773-534-7405

Serving ages kindergarten through fifth grade

HILA is an innovative demonstration school aimed at creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all children regardless of  learning style, or disability. The mission of this school is to create a model of education that supports personalization of the educational experience for all students, that can be adopted in other school districts.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities
201 East Jackson Blvd, Room 300, Chicago, IL 60604

Visit Website  |  frcdptiil@ameritech.net  |  312-939-3513

Chicago’s metropolitan area Parent Training and Information Center, serving Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties.  The center provides families of children with disabilities with information, training and assistance.  Some of the services they provide are to help families understand the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), make informed decisions about their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), obtain appropriate services for their child, and communicate more effectively with school professionals.

To find your local Department of Human Services resource for Early Intervention, PUNS, and other services, click here.

The Arc of Illinois: The Arc of Illinois is nonprofit organization committed to providing family support services, legislative advocacy and resources for families and children with disabilities across the state of Illinois.

Autism Society Illinois: The Autism Society of Illinois is devoted to improving the lives of individuals and families dealing with an autism spectrum disorder through special education programs, First Responder programs, trainings for professionals and other support services.

Community and Residential Services Authority: The Community and Residential Services Authority (CRSA) is an interagency group responsible for identifying and addressing barriers facing parents, professionals and providers when trying to get needed services and programs for individuals (through the age of 21) with a behavior disorder or a severe emotional disturbance and their family.

Early Intervention Program: Illinois’ Early Intervention program (under the Department of Human Services) works to assure that families who have infants and toddlers, birth to three, with diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays or substantial risk of significant delays receive resources and supports that assist them in maximizing their child’s development.

Family to Family Health Information Center: The Family to Family Health Information Center is a free service focused on providing healthcare information for families of children and youth with special needs.

Family Matters: Parent Training and Information Center located in Effingham, Il. serving all of Illinois except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties.   The center’s mission is to build upon families’ strengths, empower parents and professionals to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for students with disabilities, and to enhance the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities. The center assists parents of children with disabilities to be informed participants in the special education process and IEP process, assist students with disabilities to understand their rights and responsibilities, and supply information to professionals who serve children with disabilities.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities: Chicago’s metropolitan area Parent Training and Information Center, serving Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.  The center provides families of children with disabilities with information, training and assistance.  Some of the services they provide are to help families understand the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), make informed decisions about their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), obtain appropriate services for their child, and communicate more effectively with school professionals.

Family Support Network: Support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their families.

The Hope Institute for Children and Families: The Hope Institute for Children and Families provides individualized educational, residential and health services to children ages 5-21 with multiple developmental disabilities, including ASD. Services include: independence learning, therapeutic education, and community transition programs. Additionally, Hope provides community integrated classrooms and vocational skills through collaboration with local school districts. 

Illinois Assistive Technology Program: The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) is the state non-profit organization for Assistive Technology (AT) needs, including AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices.  It provides AT assessments, training, and advocacy.  IATP has a loan program for AT devices, a Demonstration Center, a work incentive planning and assistance program, and financial loans.

Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities: The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities is a statewide provider of early intervention, living, day services, in home supports and other resources for persons with disabilities.

Illinois StarNET:  Illinois StarNET provides a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, ages birth through eight, with an emphasis on children with special needs. StarNET offers many free workshops, podcasts, and webinars as well as stipends to attend conferences and workshops.

Illinois State Board of Education: The Illinois State Board of Education provides leadership, assistance, resources and advocacy so that every student is prepared to succeed in careers and postsecondary education, and share accountability for doing so with districts and schools.

Illinois Lifespan: Illinois Lifespan provides free information and referral services for persons with disabilities.

Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services: The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is a statewide provider of educational, employment, community inclusion and independent living services for individuals with disabilities.

Illinois Children Mental Health Partnership: A partnership committed to improving the scope, quality and access of mental health programs, services and supports for Illinois children.

The Arc: National community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Autism Now: National autism resource and information center.

Autism Speaks: A leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding autism research and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

Autism Society: A leading grassroots autism organization, working to improve the lives of all affected by autism.  Provides the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.

Disability.gov: U.S. federal government website for information on disability programs and services nationwide.

Family Voices: Family Voices is a national grassroots network, providing families of children with special needs the resources and support they need to make informed decisions, advocate for improved public and private policies, build partnerships among families and professionals, and serve as a trusted resource on health care.

The National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: Dedicated to helping people live to the fullest. Much of the center’s work focuses on protecting people who are especially vulnerable to health risks – babies, children, people with blood disorders, and people with disabilities. 

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ASD main page: CDC is committed to continuing to provide essential data on ASD, search for factors that put children at risk for ASD and possible causes, and develop resources that help identify children with ASD as early as possible.

The U. S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website: IDEA is the federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Other Helpful Websites