Region 5

Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder at Southern Illinois University
Wham 124 Mail Code 6607, SIU, 625 Wham Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901

Visit Website  |  618-453-7130

Serving ages Birth to 18 years

The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder provide education and professional training, conduct research and program evaluation related to autism and provide community service to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, their families, schools and other community service providers. CASD provides diagnostic intervention services, individual and group therapy, counseling, school consultation services.

The Autism Clinic at The Hope Institute, Maryville
2730 North Center St, Maryville IL  62062

Visit Website  |  amarti@thehopeinstitute.us
618-307-0966 or 866-522-2467

Serving all ages (some programs serve only specific ages)

The Autism Clinic at The Hope Institute for Children and Families offers a number of clinic services, trainings in the community and supports for families. Parents or providers may refer for therapy services, screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder or a diagnostic evaluation. Therapy services include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) group and individual programming, social skills groups, speech and language therapy and parent training. Families and area providers can access the clinic’s Family and Community Resource Room to check out books, therapy materials, or visual supports.

Visit Website  |  laurieh@commlink.org  |  618-526-8830

Serving ages birth to 3 years

First Step Early Learning & Family Support Programs are dedicated to providing exceptional family centered services to moms and dads who are expecting a child and to families who have one or more children birth to three years of age. We operate two main programs that serve young children: Early Head Start, a federally funded program of prenatal services and children’s home based services in Clinton & Washington Counties; and Early Intervention, a state funded program of services for children with developmental delays or disabilities in Clinton, Washington, St. Clair, Madison, Bond, and Marion Counties. We also offer Infant Mental health services which identify children at-risk for developmental delays and/or for social-emotional and mental health problems, community services which include offering parent workshops on Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler of the Block at St. Joseph’s Hospital, developmental screenings which are conducted annually through local school districts and child care centers, as well as by parent/guardian request. All screenings are free of charge.

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