As we enter the second week of Autism Awareness Month, it important for families of children with
Autism to know that you are not alone. You have options. There are organizations and people working around the clock to understand and navigate Autism Spectrum Disorder.   So this week,  FRCD is bringing you 17 Organizations that every Illinois parent raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder  should know about.

1 .Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center/The Autism Treatment Program

Our program for children with autism stresses early diagnosis, intensive treatment, and support for parents and caregivers. Utilizing our approach, children with autism face a better prognosis than ever before. http://www.advocatehealth.com/immc/theautismtreatmentprogram

2. AUTISM SOCIETY OF ILLINOIS

Autism Society of Illinois provides education, training, individual assistance and practical support for parents and increases public awareness of autism, and offers a referral network of professionals. 2200 S. Main Street, Suite 205 Lombard, IL 60148 Tele: (630) 691-1270 Contact: Mary Kay Betz email:info@autismillinois.org  WEBSITE:  http://www.autismillinois.org.

3. Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is a leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. http://www.autismspeaks.org/  Please email Chicago@AutismSpeaks.org or call 224-567-8573 at any time to connect to your Autism Speaks Chicagoland Chapter staff person.

4.The Autism Resource Center at Rush University Medical Center

The Autism Resource Center at Rush University Medical Center provides referrals for families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder. The Autism Resource Center’s team has developed an online resource guide to help families find referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.  http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1213718660256.html

5.The Autism Program of Illinois

The Hope Institute for Children and Families lead the development of The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP), to provide services and supports for the increasing number of children and their families. Through a service network of community agencies and university partners, TAP offers local programs and services based upon best practice standards and current research.  http://www.theautismprogram.org/

6.BoardmakerShare

BoardmakerShare is the perfect community for finding thousands of Boardmaker activities on hundreds of topics. Now, the redesigned BoardmakerShare makes it easier than ever to share Boardmaker activities, and find the groups who are using them along with you.  https://www.boardmakerachieve.com/default.aspx

7. CHICAGOLAND AUTISM CONNECTION

 CAC holds monthly parent meetings, and numerous activities to increase awareness for children and adults with autism. 1803 West 95th Street, #268 Chicago, IL 60643 Contact:  Paul Eric Butler Tele:  (773) 329-0375 EMAIL:  info@chicagoautism.org WEBSITE: http://www.chicagoautism.org

8. Child & Family Connections (CFC) Office Locator

Search for a DHS Office or Service Provider by selecting your county, and, for Cook County, your ZIP Code. Early Intervention eligibility services are conducted through your local CFC office. http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12&officetype=4&county=

9. Easter Seals’s Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research

The new center allows Easter Seals to expand its landmark autism program and custom design a facility to meet the special needs of students with autism, emotional behavior disorders and severe learning disabilities.  Interior plans and features from special acoustic finishes and lighting fixtures to therapy and gross motor skills rooms help reduce distractions and promote more effective learning. Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research, 1939 West 13th Street, Suite 300 Chicago, IL   60608-1226. 312-491-4110 Main Phone  312-733-0247 Main Fax

http://www.easterseals.com/our-programs/autism-services/

10. Family Resource Center on Disabilities

Learn about your Rights and Responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Make informed decisions about your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Learn more about Early Intervention and transition services. www.frcd.org

11. Interactive Autism Network

IAN, the Interactive Autism Network, was established in January 2006 at Kennedy Krieger Institute. IAN’s goal is to facilitate research that will lead to advancements in understanding and treating autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). To accomplish this goal, we created the IAN Community and IAN Research.  http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/about_ian

12. Organization for Autism Research

 Led by these parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum, OAR set out to use applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily. http://www.researchautism.org/about/index3.asp

13. Exercise Connection

The Five Components is a systematic approach to educating and designing exercise programs for children, schools and anyone involved in lives of children with autism spectrum disorders.  These components have similarities to the current physical education components, but, emphasize quality of movement, not quantity. They focus on the human body in its natural form while giving parents, educators and physicians exercises that are not only developmentally appropriate but cost effective. Contact David 7 at (773)575-5100 ,  Email: david@eautism.com 1871 N. Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60614  http://www.ecautism.com/

14. Continuum Autism Spectrum Alliance

Continuum Autism Spectrum Alliance addresses the needs of those who present with signs or symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities, and we’re unique in our ability to provide a seamless continuum of care starting with diagnosis and extending through assessment and treatment. 3501 Algonquin Road Suite 210, Rolling Meadows, Il 60008 http://autismspectrumalliance.com/

15. RCADD Services

The Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays (RCADD) was established in partnership with the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services, and The Autism Program in Illinois (TAP). This initiative was developed to share resources, referral information, and training for families and educators of children with Autism and/or Developmental Delays. https://cfl.uic.edu/programs/resource-center-for-autism-and-developmental-delays/rcadd-services/

16. StarNet

We provide a variety of opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who touch the lives of young children, age’s birth through eight, with an emphasis on the preschool years and children with special needs.  http://www.starnetchicago.org/

17. TASH

TASH works to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families and self-advocates. The inclusive practices TASH validates through research have been shown to improve outcomes for all people. www.tash.org