Region 3

The Autism Program – Illinois State University
706 Oglesby Dr, Suite 300, Normal, IL

Visit Website  |  tapatisu@comcast.net  |  309-585-0887

Serving ages 18 months to 30 years

Services at The Autism Program Illinois State University Affiliate Site (TAP ISU) are designed to simultaneously address the training needs of undergraduate and graduate students at ISU, community needs for more comprehensive services for children diagnosed with autism and their families, and research needs to evaluate effective treatments for individuals with autism. The services we provide include social skills groups for children ages 5-18 years focusing on building friendship skills, family support services, including weekly parent support groups and individualized family consultation, individualized direct treatment services provided in-home, in-school, or in the clinic setting designed to address social, academic, and communicative skills of children with ASD, school consultation services to address unique educational and behavioral challenges, and Spouts – a supplemental early intensive group intervention for preschool age children with autism which meets five days a week for 2.5 hours daily. We also provide school and community trainings on various aspects of working with individuals with autism.

The Autism Program at University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana
904 West Nevada, Urbana, IL 61801

Visit Website  |  Theautismprogram@illinois.edu  |  217-244-1395

Serving all ages

We are a joint program of the Department of Human and Community Development and the Department of Special Education.  Our Resource Room is housed in the Family Resiliency Center and provides a place where families and professionals can find information or preview materials that might be helpful to them. Many different types of materials are available in the TAP Resource Room.  All of our materials are free, and can be customized to meet individualized needs. TAP staff and student interns are available to meet in person or via phone/email to collectively brainstorm creative problem-solving solutions. Many of our materials can also be translated to Spanish. We focus on providing a resource and referral center for parents and professionals, developing and evaluating model programs in training, treatment, and family support, and facilitating collaborations between agencies, schools, and individuals that enhance the community’s capacity and quality of services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families.

The Autism Program at Easter Seals Central Illinois

507 East Armstrong Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603 – 309-686-1177
2404 East Empire, Bloomington, IL 61704 – 309-663-8275

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Serving ages Birth to 21 years

The Autism Program at Easter Seals provides high-quality, comprehensive autism services for children and their families. Easter Seals maintains an Autism Helpline (855-511-3773) and provides autism-specific screening. The Autism Diagnostic Clinic provides multidisciplinary evaluation led by a developmental pediatrician, a clinical psychologist and an advanced practice nurse. ABA services are available onsite and in-home. The Autism Learning Center is an intensive therapeutic autism program for children ages 3 to 6 years of age with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Other autism specific services are offered including The P.L.A.Y. Project, an intensive home based strategy which utilizes parent coaching, as well as behavioral services consultation and case management services. Families, health professionals, educators and front line staff have access to a variety of support resources at Easter Seals such as resource centers, training, and parent support groups. The Peoria Regional Chapter of the Autism Society (www.autismpeoria.org) serving Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Fulton counties is headquartered at the ESCI Peoria center.

Peoria Regional Chapter of the Autism Society of America
Headquartered at ESCI, 507 East Armstrong Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603

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Serving those with ASD and their families in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Fulton counties, the PRC provides educational, advocacy, support and awareness activities including a mini-grant program, community training, and caretaker support. More information is available at their website.

Family Matters
1901 S. 4th Street, Suite 209, Effingham, IL 62401

Visit Website  |  info@fmptic.org  |  217-347-5428

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.

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