Chicago Special Parent Summer 2017 by Chicago Parent

SpecÄ±al Parent CHICAGO

SUMMER 2017

AN EMPOWERMENT GUIDE FROM

Anxious? Tips to try

Ace the school year

105

LOCAL RESOURCES YOU NEED

Power of perspective Finding reasons to smile

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The Special Recreation Network of Illinois (SRANI) provides information on the 34 cooperative agencies throughout Illinois called Special Recreation Associations (SRAs). These SRAs deliver a variety of community-based recreation services to children, teens and adults with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with their member park districts and recreation agencies. For a statewide listing of SRANI agencies, see our display ad in the Resource Directory or visit www.specialrecreation.org.

SPECIAL RECREATION Your child will explore whole new worlds!

• Adaptive Sports • Aquatics • Cultural Arts • Field Trips

• Inclusion • Paralympic Sports • Social Clubs

• Special Events • Special Olympics • Summer Camps

• Unified Sports • Vacation Trips • Weekly Programs

Providing programs that will enhance socialization skills, improve self-help skills, build self-esteem, and develop fine and gross motor skills.

www.specialrecreation.org

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Learning for a Lifetime.

ELMHURST LEARNING AND SUCCESS ACADEMY (ELSA)

College-like experience for young adults with disabilities. Elmhurst College offers an excellent post-secondary experience for students with developmental disabilities— taught on our beautiful campus in Elmhurst, Illinois. Students in this four-year certificate program, who are between the ages of 18 and 28 and who have earned a high school diploma or certificate of completion, learn and grow in three key areas:

Learn more. Call: (630) 617-3752 Email: elsa@elmhurst.edu Visit: elmhurst.edu/elsa Follow us on facebook.com/ELSAelmhurst

• Academics and Career Exploration • Independent Living Skills • Social and Recreational Skills Students receive first-rate instruction from Elmhurst College faculty and staff. The goal: to work productively and live as independently as possible.

On-campus housing is now available for ELSA students!

ChicagoParent.com |

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Inside

STAFF EDITORS Elizabeth Diffin, Tamara L. O’Shaughnessy DIGITAL EDITOR Jackie McGoey ASSOCIATE EDITOR Emily Adams INTERN Brooke McKenzie ART DIRECTOR Claire Innes EDITORIAL DESIGNERS Jaquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea

FEATURES 16

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Danielle Braff, Lydia Bryant, Jerry Davich, Megan Murray Elsener, Carrie Rodovich, David Telisman, Jennifer Wood

It’s all perspective

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Thomas Kubik, Frank Pinc

Look no farther than your child’s smile

Get out and play

IT AND DIGITAL DEVELOPER Mike Risher

Chicagoland is filled with things for your family to do

DISPLAY AD SALES Annette Coffee, Christine Griffith, Lourdes Nicholls, Karen Skinner

Anxiety

AD PRODUCTION MANAGER Philip Soell

5 ways to help kids with special needs embrace it

Part with perfection

AD DESIGN MANAGER Andrew Mead

... And other important things to know before the school year starts

AD DESIGN Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney

IN OUR SHOES 5 A Smile is worth a thousand words ■ Essay: The lessons from freshman year ■ Day of Play: Let your imagination loose ■ News You Can Use ■

RESOURCES INSPIRATIONS

Aubrey Soukup wants to show what people with Down syndrome can do.

ON THE COVER Cover kid: Jose “Jay” Polanco-Webb, 14, of Willowbrook Photographer: Thomas Kubik of TK Photography Design: Claire Innes

Jay was born with cerebral palsy, severe mental retardation, quadriplegia and spasticity. While he is nonverbal and cannot walk, he is the world’s biggest Justin Bieber fan. Just saying Justin Bieber’s name brought the giant smile he’s sporting on the cover.

CIRCULATION MANAGER Jill Wagner DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Caleb Thusat CREDIT MANAGER Laurie Myers PUBLISHER Dan Haley BUSINESS MANAGER Joyce Minich ADVISORY BOARD Cara Long, Kathryn Lavin, Dr. Alan Rosenblatt

25 40

PHONE (708) 386-5555

CONTACT EDITORIAL chiparent@chicagoparent.com ADVERTISING advertising@chicagoparent.com CIRCULATION circulation@wjinc.com Our offices are at 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Illinois 60302. ChicagoParent.com © 2017 Wednesday Journal, Inc. All rights reserved.

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The AHSS Early Learners Group is a structured, small group, classroom environment tailored specifically to help your child begin learning age-appropriate skills that will develop their social, academic, and transitional abilities. Designed for those students who are not quite ready for, or who are struggling in, a traditional classroom. AHSS uses evidence-based methodologies to promote skill acquisition that enhances the individual therapy your child receives. The curriculum and goals for each Learners Group are developed based on the specific needs of each child. By providing structured training, in a group setting, each child can learn the needed skills to more fully participate in future outside social and academic situations.

AHSS Autism Center 4

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In Our Shoes

How to help For updates, upcoming fundraisers and to read the family’s story, visit the public Facebook group, Lana Smiles. To donate financially, visit youcaring. com and search for Lana Smiles. To help with Krabbe disease awareness and research, visit hunteshope. com

A Smile is worth a thousand words

or every mama, her baby’s smile is a symbol of joy, simplicity and health. So, when Laura Shelton began to notice that her 3-month-old baby Lana wasn’t smiling much, she suspected something was wrong. At Lana’s next pediatric check-up, Shelton mentioned the baby’s lack of smiles and her regression in movement. Almost immediately, the journey to diagnose Lana began. After the MRI, spinal tap, EEG, EKG and blood test, doctors made a diagnosis. Lana had Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy, better known as Krabbe disease. It is a degenerative disorder that entails a slow loss of movement, verbal, visual and eating abilities. Krabbe disease is genetic, affecting one in 100,000 births. The average life expectancy is two years. Currently, there is no cure.

In Mom’s Words

Yet Laura and her husband, Don, remain positive about their baby’s future. “We’re trying to get out and adventure with her,” Laura says. Museums and zoos are favorites. They strive to create special family memories, such as having breakfast together on Sunday mornings and hosting a huge first-birthday celebration for Lana. In June, 11-month-old Lana began to use a feeding tube. Many babies with Krabbe disease get a feeding tube at 6 months, but the family describes Lana as a little fighter. The family has taken up its own fight in Lana’s name. Krabbe disease can potentially be stopped if caught through newborn screenings before the symptoms appear, something the Sheltons want in Illinois. “If Lana could do anything to help other families in the state not go through this, then I think that’s what she’s here for, to make a difference,” Laura says.

Best advice ever received: “‘Take it one day at a time’ and to not get ahead of myself.” Worst day: “Nov. 23, 2017. I was at work and received a call from her doctor confirming it was Krabbe disease… she basically said Lana would never be able to walk or talk.” Advice for other parents: “Never give up hope, because I haven’t yet. She’s a strong girl. I believe in miracles; miracles happen every day.” Biggest hope for the future: “My biggest hope is for newborn testing for Krabbe in Illinois and eventually the nation.” Although Illinois passed a law approving Krabbe disease testing in newborns in 2007, it hasn’t been implemented yet. For their part, the Sheltons will continue to cuddle and kiss the chubby cheeks of baby Lana, and celebrate the life she is sharing with them. “Enjoy what time you have with your child,” Laura says. “Every moment is precious.”

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Brooke McKenzie

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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MY LIFE

The lessons of freshman year Walking a tricky line out of love as ‘that’ parent BY DIANE MAYER CHRISTIANSEN

I continued to fight against the push for so much independence in a world where he felt completely overwhelmed. I worried that his love of learning was being taken over by standardized testing methods and, faced with that fact, his self esteem was plummeting. — Diane Mayer Christiansen

hen my son Jackie entered high school this past fall, it was a rough transition. His middle school curriculum hadn’t prepared him for the rigors of this next step, and his IEP was centered around emotional support, not academic. Jackie has high-functioning autism. Throughout his school days, his claim to fame has always been his high academic achievement. Suddenly, we saw that achievement slipping away. Freshman year began with conflict. To assimilate Jackie into his new school, I registered him for a summer organization class taught by his new guidance counselor. Every day, Jackie would come home sad and angry. I thought his mood was all about spending his summer days locked in a school, until one day I received a panicked phone call from Jackie. He was afraid and angry and worried that he would lose his temper. When I arrived, his teacher was furious with me. He began to berate Jackie, telling him that he was too old to be calling his mother every time he wasn’t happy. This would never fly in high school, he said. After some investigating, I discovered the teacher had been threatening to send Jackie to the dean’s office over small ll issues that would have e been resolved by a social cial worker. This was the begin-hat ning of my own fear that ol perhaps the high school was not prepared to understand the needs of an autistic child. eral IEP Over the course of seve several meetings, there began a push for complete independence. No longer would teachers check in to make sure that Jackie understood what was expected of him. He would have to advocate for himself on every level. Jackie was having a difficult time navigating his course work. He was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of it all. It saturated his brain and left him confused and frustrated. I continued to fight against the push for so much independence in a world where he

felt completely overwhelmed. I worried that his love of learning was being taken over by standardized testing methods and, faced with that fact, his self-esteem self-e was plummeting. I felt judged by the teachers as I pushed and questioned a and I am sure that every time a tthey saw me they thought, “here ““her comes the helicopter mom.” mom m As A parents of special needs children, cchil we are put into so man m many difficult spots. We’re tr trying ryin to advocate for our kids and constantly walking the line a be between etw encouraging them to fit into a world the they don’t understand and fighting for that sa same world to accept them as they are. Our children are judged and so are we. But I had to look at this freshman year with a different perspective. I think I needed to come to the point where I accepted that not everyone will understand, and not everyone will want to understand. That’s OK because that’s life. Freshman year is now over and, looking back, I can see that Jackie has taken a huge

leap forward. After the issues of last summer, we were offered another school counselor but I declined. I spent some time with the original counselor, helping him understand how Jackie’s mind works with the hope to change his awareness of what autism looks like. Jackie’s academics improved and we decided to mark off the first semester as a practice run. Some accommodations were eventually added and, with my constant reminders, the teachers followed through with most of them. Instead of worrying about a C on a test, Jackie and I celebrated that—at least it was an improvement from the previous D. If nothing else, this high school transition has taught Jackie that it’s OK to talk to a teacher if you don’t understand something, and that doing your best is all that can be asked of you. I have come to learn that Jackie is capable of change and that he can navigate rough waters better than I gave him credit for. It’s OK to continue to advocate for your child, and it doesn’t matter if others judge you. For us, life is a celebration of who we are as diverse and individual people. Diane Mayer Christiansen has been writing young adult books for 10 years and just published her first nonfiction book, Planet A. She is the co-founder of redDAY Pledge, a kindness campaign that can be used in schools. ChicagoParent.com |

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SIBSENSATIONS PROGRAM FOR SIBS OF KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

LEADING THE WAY IN THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF AUTISM

CARD has successfully treated thousands of individuals using the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to teach new skills and decrease challenging behaviors.

CONTACT ONE OF OUR NEW CHICAGO LOCATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION: INFO@CENTERFORAUTISM.COM 855.345.2273 (CARD) OUR CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS: Ravenswood • Oak Park • Naperville • Tinley Park • Hoffman Estates WWW.CENTERFORAUTISM.COM

SIBSENSATIONS gives siblings (ages 8-13) of children with special needs a chance to meet peers in a fun, friendly setting where they can share common joys and concerns. Through games, activities and discussions, they will form friendships, learn about disabilities and discover how to handle tough situations they all face. When:

Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Monthly meetings, please call for upcoming dates

Cost:

$10.00 per session, registration is required.

Where:

Center for Advanced Care 1700 Luther Lane - Park Ridge, IL 60068

Contact:

Kathryn Smart MS RN, 847-723-9484 Kathryn.smart@advocatehealth.com

VILLA PARK NAPERVILLE ELGIN EasterSealsDFVR.org | 630.620.4433 EasterSealsDFV

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DAY OF PLAY

Let your imagination loose A day of play perfect for inside fun BY LYDIA BRYANT

eing outdoors is on everybody’s mind, but what if you cannot get outside? You may be inside for a rainy day, feeling a little under the weather, or it’s just too dang hot to be outside. On days like these we may have to get creative to make indoor play as exciting as the outdoors. Fortunately, the possibilities are endless when we use our imaginations.

Morning Start your day of play by getting creative with your breakfast food. Use cookie cutters to create different shapes and food coloring to change the color of typical breakfast sauces or syrups. Encourage your child to manipulate and configure food in different ways. Who wants boring old pancakes when you can create a picture bursting with shapes and colors? Ask your child what their food collage could represent—an animal, a plant or an abstract picture. This time it’s OK to play with your food!

Afternoon Now get ready for some activities that get bodies and minds moving. Playing “school” is a great way to do both while also keeping those creative juices following! Giving kids the opportunity to be “teacher” is a great way for them to learn how to control their environment or practice executive functioning skills. Help your child decide what the classroom will look like and who the students will be (you? siblings? stuffed animal friends?). Help to set a schedule for the “day” and determine what supplies are needed. Will you be having circle time, studying math or reading a book? If your child doesn’t connect with the idea of a traditional classroom,

provide an opportunity to be a teacher or a coach in other activities: baseball, dancing or even yoga. This opportunity for role reversal allows you to observe how your child interprets the world of adulthood, while also using their imagination. Once “class” is over, snuggle together with a good book. Harold and the Purple Crayon and Where the Wild Things Are are both stories that dive into the use of imagination. Follow up by reading a nature-based book about animals, outer space or underwater life. Have your child choose an animal, sea creature or even alien that they want to pretend to be. Then talk about what that animal might eat and pretend that’s what you’re eating for lunch or dinner.

Evening Building forts is a classic indoor family activity. Use your imagination to expand your ideas of “forts” by using sheets, pillows and chairs to make nests, burrows or caves for different animal homes. Refer back to the story or conversations from the afternoon regarding the habitat of each person’s animal. Don’t forget to get creative with your own choice of animal and follow through with all activities. Try to match your child’s enthusiasm.

LEARN MORE u For more information on play products for kids, visit ableplay.org. AblePlay is sponsored by the National Lekotek Center, an authority on play and children of all abilities.

Once you’ve built your animal homes and are resting comfortably inside, imagine what kind of music your animal would listen to. Using your phone, radio or CD player, explore the different sounds of music— pop, classical, hip-hop, rock and jazz—and describe how your child or their animal might feel while hearing the different types. Music is a great way to explore emotions, and providing your child with the words to describe those feelings will help build vocabulary and expressive skills. End your day of play by recapping the ways that you and your child used your imaginations throughout the day. Embrace your child’s active imagination and know that it is a strength that leads to creative problem-solving skills in adulthood. And remember the words of Albert Einstein the next time you need a little inspiration for fun: “Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Lydia Bryant is the inclusive play specialist at the National Lekotek Center in Chicago. ChicagoParent.com |

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A New Therapeutic Preschool Program for 3-5 year olds Half day options with 2, 3 or 5 days/week 2:1 Child to Staff ratio is led by Special Educators and Developmental Therapists with Speech and OT support No more than 6 kids per group Also offering Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy services

SET YOUR

P.A.C.E.

Kick Start Pediatric Therapy Network 1845 Oak Street, Suite 15 • Northfield, IL 60093 847-386-6560 • www.kickstartptn.com

P.A.C.E. at NLU is a postsecondary, residential program based in Chicago, designed for the transitional needs of young adults with multiple intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities. P.A.C.E. provides: P.A.C.E. provides: • Independent living skills instruction • Employment preparation • Functional academic courses • Social development and community living skills

Going Places FREE | SUMMER 2017

Lake escapes

The Ultimate Guide to Family Fun!

Summer Edition now available!

352 food, fests

& free falls

Have a simple summer GP Cover Spring 2017.indd 3

REQUEST MORE INFO

5/4/17 10:37 AM

For more information, call (708) 386 5555 or visit ChicagoParent.com

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nl.edu/paceatnlu • 312.261.3770 paceprogram@nl.edu

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Fun times H

undreds of families came out to play and learn at the Chicago Parent Special Needs Playdate held at the Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook in January. Watch ChicagoParent.com and our monthly special needs newsletters for details about the 2018 winter Special Needs Playdate.

PHOTOS BY THOMAS KUBIK / TK PHOTOGRAPHY

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Northbrook

AST Learning Center For over 15 years, AST has helped children with autism succeed in school and life. • Clinic–Based Services in Northbrook, Winetta and West Loop • In–Home ABA Therapy throughout Chicago and Northern Suburbs • Intensive Early Intervention • Highly trained staff

866.727.8274 | autismtherapies.com

As featured on ABC 7, NBC 5, WGN-TV and WCIU-TV The Karate Can-Do! Foundation works hand-in-hand with North Shore Dojo, the area’s premier karate school, to provide personalized training to improve the lives of children who learn differently. Sensei Jeff Kohn is the recipient of the 2011 United States Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Coach of the Year Award

847.729.0001 • North-shore-dojo.com 2081 John’s Court, Glenview Karate CAN-DO! is a registered 501(c)(3)

Easterseals changes the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day.

Learn more at... eastersealschicago.org

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

I am ... providing special jobs A visit to a Lush store struck a chord with Holly Simon, the South Side mom behind the I Am Who I Am Foundation. Because Lush buyers are made to feel part of a larger community, Simon knew that’s what she was looking for when it came to her son Nate, who has Down syndrome, and his peers having a business of their own. So, I am …, a new line of all-natural bath bombs and soaps packaged and sold by people with

developmental differences, evolved. Simon sees the new company not only as providing employment, but also as a way to showcase what people with special needs can really do. “I can’t wait for the world to see more for them,” Simon says. “The love you get is so infectious, you want everyone to see it and feel it.” She found a manufacturer and the new employees are designing the labels and packaging as well as selling the products in their communities. Each package is personalized with one of 36 empowering adjectives. Fifteen fragrances are available, with each

omb soap or bomb priced at $7 $7. “It’s just a beautiful product brought to you by amazing children,” Simon says. Businesses interested in hosting a pop-up shop can contact Simon at holly@iam-whoIam.com or (773) 547-3300.

An unexpected sensory safe place Everyone should get to have a great summer day watching America’s pastime. But when you have sensory issues, that’s not always so simple. To help, Northbrookbased Autism Home Support Services and The he Schaumburg Boomers have unveiled two quiet

rooms where parents can take kids with sensory issues when they become overwhelmed by the game. Autism Home Support S Services also is training 75 Boomers staff members to recognize the signs that a child might have Autism Sp Spectrum Disorder and und understand how to best in interact with them.

Pillow is a dream Parents of children n with autism may find it hard to get their littles off to bed, and even harder to keep them there throughout the night. Dream Pad is the pillow that can help. Through the use of calming music and subtle vibrations that only the user can hear, it

stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to manage stress. Simply download the app, connect to the pillow, select a song, start counting sheep and then magically fall—and stay—asleep. (We won’t judge you if you buy one for yourself.)

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

Special networks that work F inding friends can be hard, especially for parents. Add having a child with special needs and the opportunities for friends with similar interests becomes nearly impossible. Surprise! There’s an app for that. Here are three apps that can expand connections to new groups and opportunities for parents and kids. YouBelong: The YouBelong app is specifically designed for people with special needs to meet and stay connected with those similar to them. It functions as a combined Facebook and Instagram, with easy messaging services, status-like updates and top-notch photo editing technology. The designer of the app was inspired by his special needs brother’s desire to find more friends. Likes all around for this new social media app.

Peanut: Peanut is a Tinder-like app with the sole purpose of connecting moms. While it is not strictly for special needs moms, the app allows users to choose three tags to help match them with others who chose similar tags near their location, and one tag option is special needs. Moms then have the option to ‘wave’ at other moms and will be matched with them if the mom waves back. It makes scheduling play dates, moms’-nights-out and other get-togethers easy in-app. We’d swipe right for this one.

Meetup: The Meetup app supplements the site which is, as the namesake implies, a way for people to meet up with others who have similar interests. What some may not know is that the app has a tag for special needs. You can choose your city and how far you are willing to travel, and since Chicago is such a fun place, there are plenty of hangouts to go around. The meet-ups can be small or large, for a specific special need or broad need. This app is great because it has meet-up groups for moms, children with special needs, and even dads. We’ve can’t wait to tap the join button.

Brooke McKenzie

Creatively Removing Life’s Obstacles

• Call us for all of your ability needs • Wheelchairs for all shapes and sizes

www.atozmobility.com

779-234-9072

• Permanent and temporary transfer solutions, as well as all home modifications and remodeling • We can help you enjoy your home again

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

Time to burn up the dance floor

re we human? Or are we dancers? Beyond Center Stage performing arts studio in Elmhurst is starting a program that gives everyone the ability to be both. The new class, Beyond Barriers, allows those with special needs to have fun and learn to dance. “I think it will be great to offer this opportunity for people with disabilities to come move their bodies in ways they can, give them that opportunity to feel comfortable in their own skin and push them beyond their limits,” says dance instructor and elementary education teacher Jennifer Dolson. Dolson has crafted the program so that it can accommodate the full spectrum of special needs from basic learning disabilities to low functioning students. She is LBS1 certified and will have numerous trained assistants to help. The first week a student comes, Dolson assesses their abilities and needs so she can

craft a unique program for them. For example, if someone is sedentary for many hours a day she will include more leg exercises to work muscles that might be overlooked. The lights can be dimmed and music levels adjusted for sensory needs. Parents can watch their dancers on screens from a seating area outside the classroom. There is no age limit, and though workout clothes are recommended, Dolson simply wants her students to show up in whatever feels comfortable. “I want them to learn a dance move and go home and practice that dance move all the time” because it makes them happy and feel good, she says. Students can register online at beyondcenterstage.com or in person at 770 N. Church Road, Suite G, Elmhurst. Dolson offers a drop-in option for $12 per class for students who would like to try it out first.

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE CAN BE A TREE CHAMPION That’s why we continually work to expand the tools we offer families, so we can accommodate visitors of all abilities.

SOME TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES WE CURRENTLY OFFER: • A visual schedule for those on the autism spectrum • Discovery and sensory themed Explorer Backpacks • Accessible buildings and restrooms • Several miles of paved paths, including one around our most popular lake • American Sign Language-interpreted and low-impact Theatre-Hikes® once a month during summer Visit The Morton Arboretum this summer to reconnect your family with nature and trees. Call 630-968-0074 or visit mortonarb.org/accessibility to plan your visit. THE MORTON ARBORETUM 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois 60532

Brooke McKenzie ChicagoParent.com |

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BY JERRY DAVICH

T It’s all perspective Look no farther than your child’s smile

Jose “Jay” Polanco-Webb with his parents Lewis and Ericka Polanco-Webb Photo by Thomas Kubik/TK Photography

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he small button on Jose Polanco-Webb’s shirt states what he’s physically unable to say: “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” The 14-year-old Willowbrook boy has multiple challenges in life. A bad attitude isn’t one of them.

Jose, whose nickname is Jay, was born with cerebral palsy, severe mental retardation, quadriplegia and spasticity. He’s nonverbal, cannot walk a single step, gets fed through a tube, and requires 100 percent care around the clock. Still, he routinely flashes a 100-watt smile and unleashes infectious laughter on everyone in his world. He not only wears that motivational button, he lives it. Every day. “Perspective is everything,” says his stepmother, Ericka Polanco-Webb. Those three powerful words eventually become the daily mantra for many parents of children with special needs. Such an attitude, however, doesn’t always come immediately or instinctively. Oftentimes it’s nurtured over time by their own child—one smile at a time, one challenge at a time, one moment at a time. “When you see someone who is faced with as many challenges as Jay, you must take a step outside of yourself and say, ‘If he can smile, so can I,’” says Polanco-Webb, who has three other children in her blended family, Jaylah, 13, Jesa, 11, and Jisele, 1. “My son thrives off great energy,” she adds. “When we, as parents, aren’t exhibiting energy that is positive or inviting, it affects our children’s ability to thrive. While the situation is never ideal, it’s our reality and it’s up to us to make it a flourishing life for them.” Beth Kaplan, a stay-at-home mom from Oak Park, exemplifies such an evolving attitude through her book, Silence 2 Success: A Mother’s Journey with Autism (silence2success.com). “I can definitely say that my perspective has changed many times over the course of my son’s life,” says Kaplan, whose son Jacob was diagnosed with autism at 2. “True perspective does not develop overnight. It takes time to accept your new way of life and figure out how to navigate it.” When Jacob was first diagnosed, Kaplan felt stranded on a strange island with no rescue ships on the horizon, similar to many special needs parents. “I would try to be hopeful, but most of the time, I was devastated, scared and not

| ChicagoParent.com

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sure what to do,” she admits. “I Also, social media can be learned very quickly that finding used as a buoy to avoid drowna special needs community to ing in pity, sorrow or frustrabecome a part of was crucially tion. Parents can share their important. The ability to conjoys and woes, which can help nect with other parents and them navigate toward real world caregivers, locally, helped me perspective. develop a positive and hopeful “The only times I’ve stopped perspective.” to consider the breadth of my Sharon Pike, parent liaison ability as a parent to handle for Easter Seals DuPage & Fox such challenges was when othValley, says in her 24 years with ers have made note,” says Ellen that organization she has yet Sternweiler, of Wilmette, who to meet a parent who, at some has three children with developpoint in their journey, doesn’t mental differences. battle against disappointment “One of the most profound and discouragement. lessons I’ve learned on my jour“But as long we don’t get ney is that we each have our own stuck in that place, life works out unique perspectives—whether and we have a healthy balance in we are raising neurotypical kids our family,” she says. “If we can or kids with special needs— come from a place of acceptance everything is relative to your and positivity, life just seems own experience. It’s your reality. easier.” That is the perspecAs most parents tive you gain with painfully undertime.” stand, fighting Dr. Sarah Bauer, dark feelings as a child psychiatrist well as battling affiliated with Ann other special-needs & Robert H. Lurie fronts—mediChildren’s Hospital cal, educational, of Chicago, says institutional and the parenting so on—can hijack perspectives of her even the best plans clients are all at or intentions. Also, different stages. the initial instinct “Just as their of feeling comchildren are pelled to “cure” developing in or “fix” their child unexpected ways, — Ericka can sabotage the parents are often Polanco Webb launch of a posinavigating their tive attitude. own developmental “I think parents stages. As such, can manage a it is vital to think positive attitude when they have about their children’s strengths the right supports,” says Ann as they figure out how to best Holman, social work supervisor support their challenges,” she at La Rabida Children’s Hospital says. “They also need to be kind in Chicago. “This includes emoto themselves.” tional support, family back-up When in doubt, follow your and resources such as transchild’s lead, even if they can’t portation. It makes a difference verbally articulate it. when the parent feels supported. For Polanco-Webb’s son, When the parent feels good, he Jay, who has lost the ability or she can devote more time, to eat and drink by mouth, he energy and affection to the child, continues to lead by unspoken which is the best outcome.” example. Even if it’s through Kaplan, whose son is now 12, another motivational button that insists to other parents that they adorns his shirt, and his life: “I are not alone, despite disturbing think I can. I think I can.” feelings of isolation. “Reach out to friends, famJerry Davich is a freelance writer, ily and your community,” she author and dad. suggests.

“While the situation is never ideal, it’s our reality and it’s up to us to make it a flourishing life for them.”

Changing Lives. Building Futures.

Students at The Cove School benefit from our intensive individualized instruction and highly specialized team, while learning in an environment that is specifically designed for children with learning disabilities. Cove students are fully integrated in their school environment, participating in arts, athletics, college counseling, job training and authentic leadership opportunities. If you know of a student that could benefit from the exceptional and individualized K-12 program at Cove, contact Dr. Sally Sover, Executive Director, at 847.562.2100 or ssover@coveschool.org. Join us at our next Open House on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 RSVP to mditthardt@coveschool.org

Changing Lives.Building Building Futures. Changing Lives. Futures.

350 Lee Road Northbrook, IL 60062 847.562.2100 Fax 847.562.2112 www.coveschool.org

ChicagoParent.com |

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Get out and play Chicagoland is filled with things to do BY DANIELLE BRAFF

e’ve got a jam-packed schedule for our special kids this summer and fall, with activities ranging from festivals to movies to inclusive playgrounds. There’s something for everyone.

Sensory friendly movies AMC Theatres The lights are up and the sound is down during the sensoryfriendly film days. These take place on the second and fourth Saturdays for families, and on Tuesday evenings for mature audiences. It’s totally cool to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing during these shows. Check local listings for showtimes, addresses and moree details. amctheatres.com/programs/ ms/ sensory-friendly-films Studio Movie Grill Every Saturday, day, this theater shows a family-friendly ly movie free for kids with special needs eeds and their siblings (adults pay $6.50). 0). The lights are up and the volume is lowered, and kids are free to movee and dance as they please. This summer, flicks included Wonder Woman, Cars 3 and Despicable Me 3. Check online for upcoming features. 11 a.m.; films change weekly, locations in Chicago and Wheaton; studiomoviegrill.com.

Get your wiggles out Music-free Mondays at Airtastic At this bouncy playland, they have 10 inflatable play structures and two play areas. Every Monday, the music is off for those who don’t like the extra noise. Kids can bounce and play to burn off that energy. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays; $8.50 per hour or $10.50 for two hours; 850 S. Frontenac St., Aurora; airtastic. com Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays Pop into this kids’ obsession, where they will dim the lights, get rid of the crowds, the show and the music

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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Chicago Children’s Museum Play for All

Owen’s Playground at Hillcrest Elementary School without any issues. issues Check your closest location for more details; regular prices apply; pump itupparty.com Chicago Children’s Museum Play For All Kids with disabilities may come with their families an hour before the museum opens. It’ll be quieter without all the crowds, and the museum has a therapeutic play guide to help kids who are working on therapies. The guide can help kids build their motor, sensory, language and social skills. The entire museum is wheelchair

The Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park

in n order to o create a sensory-friendly ensory-friendly experience. experience Two hours before regular opening hours on Sundays at all Illinois locations; regular prices apply; chucke cheese.com Pump It Up Sensory Jump Night Bounce the night away on these special needs evenings, where the play areas are reserved for those on the autism spectrum and for their families. The lights are turned up and the music is turned off, so kids can bounce on the inflatables

accessible. Free for the first 250 visitors; 9 a.m. second Saturday of every month; 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago; chicagochildrens museum.org Special Needs Day at Sky High Sports The owner of Sky High Sports has a son with special needs, so he understands the importance of jumping. So every Tuesday, he turns off the music and dims the lights so that special guests can jump to their hearts’ desire. $5 for special needs guests and $5 for siblings with one parent or therapist free; 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays; 2244 Corporate Lane, Naperville; nap. skyhighsports.com

| ChicagoParent.com

7/6/17 11:18 AM

Shorewood Crossroads Festival

Festivals and playdate Shorewood Crossroads Festival For two hours, there will be slow rides with no lights and no music for special kids at this festival. It’s essentially a carnival without

the craziness of a carnival, and everything available during the regular festival will be available to the special families—but this experience will be tailored to the special needs of these children. Free for special

needs children and their family; 1-3 p.m. Aug. 4; 25520 W. Seil Road, Shorewood; crossroadsfest.com RiverFest Express The night before RiverFest will be a very special night. At this event, which initially marked the centennial for the village but is now an annual community event, they’ll have carnival rides, entertainment and food for special needs children and their families. Be sure to register. Free; 6-9 p.m. Aug. 16; Panton Mill Park, across from the Village Hall, South Elgin; riverfestexpress.net Frankfort Fall Festival The Frankfort Fire Protection District Foundation organizes this annual event, which centers around a massive old-school carnival, complete with a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. They shut everything down for a very special two hours so that special needs visitors can have a little less stimulation. The sound will be off, and kids can ride their favorites for free. Bonus: if they play any of the games, they’re guaranteed to win something. Free; 3-5 p.m. Sept. 1; 24405 S. La Grange Road, Frankfort; frankfortchamber.com

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Call 630.743.4500 to make your appointment. Speech-Language Institute & Eye Institute Your Family’s Home for Healthcare

3450 Lacey Road Downers Grove, IL 60515 630.743.4500 www.mwuclinics.com ChicagoParent.com |

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THINGS TO DO

from page 19

Sensory Garden Playground

New parks The Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park The theme here is inclusion, and the goal is that children with disabilities can play side-by-side with their friends without abandoning their usual means of mobility. There are double-wide ramps, social gathering places, accessibility to nearly every feature, a quiet escape zone and sensory stimulating activities. 385 W. Van Buren St., Elmhurst; epd.org Owen’s Playground at Hillcrest Elementary School All the ramps here are double-wide, so friends in wheelchairs can travel through the park together. There’s also a relaxation station, a buddy bench, wheelchair swings and plenty of other wheelchair-accessible play equipment. 1435 Jefferson Ave., Downers Grove; dg58.org The Sensory Garden Playground The playground provides space for kids of all abilities to

play together. Its last free Play Day of the summer 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Aug. 19, where kids can explore the playground, plant flowers in the Fragrance Garden, blow bubbles, draw with chalk and

attend sensory-friendly storytimes. Fundraising for the next phase, an accessible treehouse, is under way. Eventually, the playground also will include a water play area and boulder climb. 2751 Navistar Drive, Lisle; playforalldupage.org Danielle Braff is a freelance writer and mom of two.

Kid-Friendly Toys and Sensory Products that Fit Your Families Needs.

Daily Group Play Sessions Individual Sessions Summer/Winter/Spring Break Camps: dance therapy, kids pilates, kids yoga, cooking classes, music and art therapy. All programs and play sessions focus on child development, functional, life, social and communication skills.

1911 W. Belmont • Chicago 773-231-8001 • spectrumtoystore.com 20

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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| ChicagoParent.com

7/6/17 11:19 AM

BY DAVID TELISMAN

usan Millner’s 8-year-old daughter was ecstatic when her mom signed her up for a cooking class. She envisioned whipping up fun and delicious recipes during the week leading up to it. But on the day of the class, she had a sudden change of heart. “She melted down, saying she didn’t want to go,” Millner says. “At first I couldn’t figure out why, and then I read between the lines and realized that it was her anxiety.”

The Highland Park mom and clinical social worker recognized that a new experience, an unfamiliar setting, and being thrust into the company of strangers were triggers. “Once I understood how she was feeling, I acknowledged her anxiety and firmly explained to her that she needed to try the class since she had committed.” Millner and her daughter developed a written plan for success that included a schedule of events for the day, arriving early to acquaint herself with the venue, and meeting with the instructor to explain her daughter’s nerves. The girl ultimately loved the class. Any parent of a child struggling with anxiety can relate. One in eight children have anxiety disorders in the U.S., and diagnoses are on the rise. As parents, we are our children’s greatest advocates and resources. Here are five ways parents can help their children embrace anxiety: We need to embrace our anxiety first Our children react to our feelings, and as parents we serve as role models for how to manage anxiety. “When parents are anxious about their children’s anxiety, they are unable to provide a sense of security for their child,” says Dr. Michelle Flowers, who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry on the North Shore. “Children can manage a multitude of stressors quite well, and resilience is, in some cases, largely determined by the way they perceive their parents’ response.” Normalize it Anxiety disorders cause the brain circuitry that controls threat response to go awry and to send out alarms too frequently. While it’s more intense for them, we need to remind our kids that everyone has anxiety and that it is a normal part of childhood. “Parents who are open to talking about anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviors cultivate a safe and supportive atmosphere for children to verbalize their worries and

5 ways

to help kids with special needs embrace anxiety

1 2

Convey that anxiety is a companion, not a boogeyman Anxiety causes stomachaches, sweating, muscle tension, rapid heart rates and difficulty sleeping, so the desire for kids to run from their anxiety is understandable. But it actually exacerbates the situation. Rather, we should walk them through it and process the anxious feelings. “When parents sit with a child in distress, it sends the powerful message that it is not scary to the parent,” Lobel says. “A parent that maintains a disposition of calm, curiosity and patience will serve as a valuable external resource for the child to develop an internalized capacity to overcome his/her anxiety.” Naturally, we want to seek relief for our kids, but Flowers cautions against rushing them through an anxious episode. “Sometimes parents minimize anxiety by saying things like ‘That’s nothing to be afraid of!’ and miss opportunities to empower their children by guiding them through alternative solutions. Instead, say ‘It sounds like you were nervous about what your teacher was going to say because you forgot your homework. I wonder if having that feeling today might help you to remember your assignments in the future. Would you like me to help you think of some ways to do that?’” Confront the worst-case scenario “What ifs” send anxiety into overdrive. What if I miss the bus? What if I have a nightmare? What if the teacher calls on me and I don’t know the answer? The best practice is to play out the what ifs for our kids and show them that the worst thing that could happen isn’t that bad. Dr. Rachael Levine, a school psychologist at North Shore Academy Elementary, recommends writing out children’s fears and then developing a plan together. “It facilitates activation around problemsolving and promotes a greater capacity to feel in control—which is counter to the sense of being out of control during moments of high anxiety. Having a visual and written record of possible outcomes helps cultivate potentially beneficial outcomes.” Create a support system It takes a village, and obtaining outside support can serve as a lifelong tool to help children cope with anxiety. “Expanding a child’s network of support is also an important component of mastering anxiety, so there is a greater likelihood of success across multiple environments,” Lobel says. “Communicating and collaborating with teachers, instructors, parents, doctors, babysitters, etc., can facilitate an atmosphere of consistency and predictability for a child that feels as though they aren’t on an island alone with their anxiety.”

portray the very important message to kids that ‘Your thoughts and feelings are OK’ and ‘I can handle your distress,’” Dr. Allison Lobel, director of Child & Adolescent Services for Wellington Counseling Group in Chicago, says. Rebecca, who lives in Northbrook, applies this strategy with her 9-year-old son through an exercise they call Pit and Peak. “We tell each other the pit and peak of our day—the high and low. This gives him time to reflect on his day and see that while things may not have gone the way he had hoped, tomorrow is a new day, and that he had a number of successes that day. Also, I share with him the pit and peak of my day, so he sees that I struggle, but that I am able to move on.”

David Telisman is a Chicago area dad and freelance writer. ChicagoParent.com |

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... And other important things to know before the new school year starts

Part with perfection

BY JENNIFER WOOD

hen our children go back to school, there is sweetness and sorrow. While there may be no more scrambling to make child care arrangements, there are also no more lazy days. Many parents also get anxious about their kids getting the perfect teacher and being placed in the perfect class so they can have a perfect year.

I understand. I am a parent who is now an attorney, but used to be a teacher. Even I made the mistake of worrying about a perfect start to a perfect school year: If only my son can get Mrs. So-and-So for kindergarten, he is going to be perfect. The whole year will be perfect. She does cartwheels and backflips for the kids, and when she walks into her classroom every morning, glitter falls from the ceiling. My son didn’t get Mrs. So-and-So. He was placed with a very seasoned and sage teacher who was about as excitable as moss. But she was nice and predictable, balanced and certain. Exactly what he needed. He had a great year, even without the glitter.

Things to keep in mind If you want to alleviate your child’s backto-school worries, start with yourself. Let preconceptions go, and carve out some meaningful and realistic expectations for a happy and successful school experience. When you do, you will find that what you want for your children is the same thing that

teachers want for their students. When I surveyed area teachers about what they want parents to know, their top answer was generally this: “I want parents to know that I will love their kids as if they were my own and that I will take good care of them throughout the year and keep them safe.” Isn’t that what parents want most too? Teachers also want parents to know that communication is key. If you have questions, ask before jumping to conclusions. If you promise not to believe everything your child tells you about what goes on at school, teachers promise not to believe everything your child tells them about what goes on at home. Read the newsletters and classroom updates. Know that they will respond to your emails when they come up for air between teaching, testing and other classroom management tasks. Tell the teacher what you expect, and have your child tell the teacher what he expects, too. Are your expectations different? Probably, and that can be extremely informative. Understand that grades aren’t everything. While teachers’ jobs may depend on them,

every teacher queried said the functional skills, social growth and emotional development of each student in her classroom are far more important to them than the academic tasks teachers are charged to carry out. Consequently, teachers ask parents to keep in mind that, even the kids in the Honors classes are still just children, and while college may be the goal for some, they are not there yet, and some students may not be destined for college at all. Know this is not a shortcoming or a character flaw; choosing a career path that doesn’t require a college degree can show maturity and resoluteness, and can help your child become independent much sooner than students who still rely on their parents to provide for college. Get over hoping for a perfect year. Remember that this is a new year, a different one. Children are usually in a different classroom with different peers and a different teacher, so it’s bound to be a different experience. Let it be different. Relax and let things get going. Be supportive, encouraging and optimistic, and let your child see that. His whole outlook on things, even if he doesn’t come home covered in glitter every day, will depend on YOU. Jennifer Wood is the force behind Wood Law, specializing in family and special needs law, and a busy mom to seven, including three boys on the autism spectrum. ChicagoParent.com |

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Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

7/6/17 3:43 PM

WE CAN HELP CALL US!! Social, Fitness, and Art Programs Trips • Camps • Special Olympics Training SEASPAR is a special recreation association providing year-round, all-ages recreational programs and services to individuals with disabilities in the communities of: Brookfield • Clarendon Hills • Darien • Downers Grove Indian Head Park • La Grange • La Grange Park • Lemont Lisle • Western Springs • Westmont • Woodridge

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Individualized curriculum Individualized curriculum and access to therapeutic to therapeutic and access services help students develop services help students develop social, and academic, academic, social, skillsand to be developmental skills in to be developmental successful learners successful settings.in classroom learners classroom settings.

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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| ChicagoParent.com

7/6/17 11:20 AM

Resources Adaptive Services, Autism Spectrum Disorders . . . . . . . . . 25

Find more information online

he resources here are just an excerpt of the hundreds of searchable resources you can find online at ChicagoParent.com. If you are a resource provider and your services are not listed online, e-mail Editor Elizabeth Diffin at ediffin@ chicagoparent.com with your information. A high resolution photo (1200 pixels) is encouraged.

ADAPTIVE SERVICES A to Z Mobility 23838 W. Industrial Drive N., Suite 200, Plainfield atozmobility.com

Provides a variety of mobility devices, including wheelchairs, strollers, scooters and mountain trikes, plus beds, lifts and ramps.

Extended Home Living Services 210 W. Campus Drive Suite B

Arlington Heights (847) 215-9490 ehls.com

Provides stair lifts, accessible bathroom remodeling, ramps and wheelchair lifts, ceiling mounted lift systems, home elevators, and general remodeling to create accessible, barrier-free environments.

MobilityWorks 23855 W. Andrew Road Plainfield 9207 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles

155 E. North Ave. Villa Park (877) 275-4907 mobilityworks.com

Provides wheelchair vans and adaptive equipment, including sales, mechanical service, rental vans and mobile consulting.

RampNOW 2296 Cornell Ave. Montgomery (630) 892-7267 rampnow.com

Rents, sells and installs lifts and ramps.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS Alexander Leigh Center for Autism 620 N. Illinois Route 31 Crystal Lake (815) 344-2522 alcacenter.com

Nonprofit, full-day, year-round therapeutic day school approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. The school serves kids 3-18 with autism spectrum disorder, OHI, multiple disabilities, developmental delay and/or intellectual disability. Students receive 1:1 support in the areas of academics, speech, OT, music therapy, life skills, behavior and community-based instruction. Serves Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties.

Autism & Anxiety Consultants LLC 1100 Lake St., Suite 210 B Oak Park (847) 338-2525 autismanxiety.net

Therapy for children, adults and families with autism spectrum disorder/anxiety disorders.

Autism Behavior & Childhood Services Chicago (773) 552-3810 (312) 237-0262 abctherapyforme.com

Offers a wide range of therapies and approaches custom designed for each child, using the Applied Behavioral Analysis approach in-home.

Autism Family Center 560 Green Bay Road Suite 10, Winnetka (847) 386-7809 670 W. Hubbard Chicago (312) 624-9674 autismfamilycenter.com

Blind or Visually Impaired, Deaf or Hearing Impaired . . . 28 Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, General . . . 29 Recreation . . . . . . . . 33 Support . . . . . . . . . . 37

Photo by Thomas Kubik

All-In Swim at Bernard Weinger JCC ChicagoParent.com |

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AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS Hal & Martha Hyer Wallis Theater 1949 Campus Drive Evanston, IL

at Northwestern University

Adult $12 Kids $10 For ages 4 -8yrs 60Mins

RELAXED PERFORMANCES

Offers a multidisciplinary approach to helping families living with autism throughout Chicago and the North Shore. Services include Applied Behavior Analysis; individual, couples and family therapy as well as play therapy.

Autism Home Support Services 85 Revere Drive, Suite B Northbrook 3385 N. Arlington Heights Road, Suite K Arlington Heights (844) 247-7222 autismhomesupport.com

Sat. NOV 4 2PM Runs Nov 3 - 19

Sat. MAR 3 2PM Runs Mar 2 - 18

In-home customized ABA behavior therapy for children with autism and other related disorders.

Autism Speaks

On sale now! Call 847-491-7282 WIRTZ.NORTHWESTERN.EDU

Home Modiﬁcations and Lifts Free In-Home Consultation 847-215-9490 North • 630-717-4445 West 773-775-6122 Chicago • 847-590-1728 FAX

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Let us make your home more accessible and comfortable for everyone in the family. We can enhance your home with: • Stairlifts • Wheelchair Lifts • Ramps • Ceiling Mounted Lifts • Bathroom Modifications

Extended Home Living Services… Family Owned and Serving Chicagoland Since 1991

• Partnering with multiple funding agencies. • Dedicated to the lives of children with special needs.

www.ehls.com Please mention this ad to receive the discount.

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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Chicagoland Chapter 2700 S. River Road Suite 304, Des Plaines (224) 567-8573 autismspeaks.org/chicago

Nonprofit dedicated to awareness, funding, science, research and advocacy for autism. Also provides free services for families.

Autism Spectrum Therapies Northbrook Learning Center 3375 Commercial Ave. Northbrook (866) 727-8274 autismtherapies.com

One of the leading providers of Applied Behavior Analysis in the country. Led by a team of clinicians, AST utilizes evidence-based practices with a family-focused approach. AST offers clinic-based services at centers in Northbrook, Winnetka and West Loop. In-home services offered throughout Chicago and the northern suburbs.

Behavioral Perspective Inc. 452 N. Eola Road, Suite A Aurora (630) 999-0401 behavioralperspectiveaba.com

Provides ABA services to maximize independence and quality of life for individuals impacted by autism.

Caravel Autism Health Locations in Deerfield, Schaumburg, Naperville (847) 318-3190 caravelautism.com

Provides in-home, intensive ABA Therapy and diagnostic evaluations according to the only evidence-based therapy.

Center for Autism & Related Disorders Locations in Chicago, Naperville, Oak Park centerforautism.com

Helps each person attain his or her maximum potential in the least restrictive environment via behaviorally-based intervention. Each program is individualized.

Charlie’s Gift Center for Autism and Related Disorders 1048 W. Ogden Ave. Suite 200, Downers Grove (630) 810-1200 thecommunityhouse.org

Provides individual and group occupational, speech and mental health/behavioral therapy for children/ families through a family-centered, teambased approach. Family education/support activities and sibling activities are offered throughout the year, plus after-school clubs and summer programs. A family lending library is available. Charlie’s Gift is a program of The Community House.

Chicago Autism & Behavior Specialists 901 W. Hawthorn Drive Itasca (800) 844-1232 autismbehaviorspecialists.com

Treats children with autism and related disorders. Programs are based on the principles of Applied Behavior

Analysis. In addition to language and communication skills, programs encourage flexibility, problem solving, impulse control, social referencing and self-regulation. Social work, speech therapy and parent training are incorporated into treatment plans.

Chicagoland Autism Connection 1803 W. 95th St., #268 Chicago (773) 329-0375 chicagoautism.org

Group meets on the third Saturday of each month from September through June (except December). Each meeting features a speaker.

Easter Seals Autism Programs-Joliet 212 Barney Drive, Joliet (815) 725-2194 joliet.easterseals.com

Offers a wide variety of programming for children with autism spectrum disorders including pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy. A medical diagnostic clinic, social skills groups, sibling recreational workshops, family special recreation nights, inclusive birth-4 daycare, mental health therapy, educational materials and a parent support group are available.

Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley: Autism Diagnostic Clinic & Autism Services Centers in Villa Park, Naperville and Elgin (630) 620-4433 eastersealsdfvr.org

Provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary team evaluation to determine the presence of an Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental disability. It assists families in determining their child’s specific needs, and families

| ChicagoParent.com

7/6/17 2:58 PM

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS leave the clinic with a diagnosis, initial treatment guidelines and resources. A team of licensed professionals works with each family to develop a well-rounded therapy plan. Services are provided individually or in a group setting.

Easter Seals Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research 1939 W. 13th St., Suite 300 Chicago (312) 491-4110 eastersealschicago.org eastersealsandautism.com

This campus combines education, therapeutic research, training, school-to-work transition and adult vocational services for clients 3-22. The interior features include special acoustic finishes, lighting fixtures and observation rooms in classrooms rooms to help reduce distractions and promote more effective learning.

Have Dreams

Helping Hand Center

515 Busse Highway, Suite 150 Park Ridge (847) 685-0250 2020 Dempster St., Evanston (847) 905-0702 havedreams.org

9649 W. 55th St., Countryside (708) 352-3580 6160 East Ave., Hodgkins (708) 352-3580 ext. 500 hhrehab.org

Serves children, teens and young adults with autism. Offers individualized afterschool programs, vocational, life skills and transition to employment programs, along with diagnostic and family support services. Programs include Special Olympics, Technology Club and a Film & Multimedia camp. Transition to adult services include Project SEARCH Collaborates for Autism at Northwestern University and Have Dreams Academy, as well as a variety of programs that focus on developing critical soft skills for employment, internship experiences and life skills.

Therapeutic Day School for children with autism, ages 3-21, providing yearround best practice services. Pediatric outpatient clinic for children birth-21 with an array of disabilities and delays, provides occupational, physical, speech and language and music therapy. Also offers psychotherapy, mental health and diagnostic testing, and behavioral services.

Little City Foundation 1760 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine (847) 358-5510 littlecity.org

Provides services to individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services include education and train-

ing through children’s group homes, therapeutic day school and children’s home-based support.

for children and two adult homes that focus on independent life skills and community integration.

Little Friends Inc.

Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays

140 N. Wright St., Naperville (630) 355-6533 littlefriendsinc.org

Garfield Community Center 10 S. Kedzie, Room 202, Chicago (312) 746-5447 King Community Center 4314 S. Cottage Grove, Room 103 Chicago (312) 747-8571 cfl.uic.edu/programs/resource-centerfor-autism-and-developmental-delays

Programs include the Little Friends Center for Autism as well as children’s and adult services.

PACTT Learning Center 7101 N. Greenview Ave., Chicago (773) 338-9102 pactt.org

Free resources, referrals and monthly training.

Offers educational, residential and vocational services for people with severe autism and their families. The therapeutic day school focuses on academics, independent living, communication and social interaction for students 3-21 and includes a transition program for older teens. Operates two group homes

The Autism Therapy Group (224) 554-9634 theautismtherapygroup.com

ABA therapy provided in homes and surrounding environments, plus services after school, weekend and summer programs, transitional programs and sports.

Serving children with physical disabilities on their journey to independence! Intensive motor training program Strength ~ Mobility ~ Self-Reliance ~ Fun! Develop an “I CAN!” attitude CHILDREN (Ages 2-12) WHO BENEFIT: • Follow verbal cues & have good auditory skills • Medically stable and cleared for therapy

Centers located in Countryside, Lake Zurich, Chicago and now introducing HOMEWOOD!

708-588-0833 www.Center-for-Independence.org Medicaid accepted – we have never turned a child away due to inability to pay! ChicagoParent.com |

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BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED Trumpet Behavorial Health Locations in Chicago and Libertyville tbh.com

Behavior treatment services for kids and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders based on Applied Behavior Analysis in homes, schools and centers.

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation 1500 W. Ogden Ave. Naperville (630) 570-7948 turningpointeautism foundation.org

Offers a therapeutic day school, Career College life skills training, recreational opportunities and individualized programming for children, individuals and families navigating the lifelong impact of autism.

BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired 700 Elm St., Winnetka (800) 323-4238 hadley.edu

The largest provider of tuition-free distance education for individuals over age 14 who are blind or visually impaired. More than 100 courses are offered in five program areas: Family Education, High School, Adult Continuing Education, Professional Studies and Low Vision Focus. Materials are provided in a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medium of choice including large print, braille, audio and online.

Special Recreation Associations in Illinois provide a lifetime of recreation opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. Please visit www.specialrecreation.org or contact WDSRA at 630-681-0962 to find an agency near you. Look for our ad in this magazine. Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation (CUSR) 217-239-1152, www.cuspecialrecreation.com Chicago Park District Special Recreation Dept. 312-742-5798, special.recreation@chicagoparkdistrict.com Decatur Park District Special Recreation Assn. 217-429-7750, www.decatur-parks.org Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) 630-907-1114, www.fvsra.org Gateway Special Recreation Association (Gateway) 630-325-3857 x110, www.ray-graham.org Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) 309-691-1929, www.hisra.org Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA) 309-347-7275, www.irvsra.org

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The Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired 1850 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago (312) 666-1331 chicagolighthouse.org

With locations in Chicago, Glenview, Elk Grove Village, Flossmoor and Merrillville, Ind., the organization provides the highest quality education, clinical, vocational and rehabilitation services for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired, including deaf-blind and multi-disabled. The Lighthouse offers a nationally acclaimed school for children with multi-disabilities, a Birth-to-3 Early

Intervention Program for infants and families, a blended preschool with children who are blind or visually impaired and those who are sighted, the Sandy and Rick Forsythe Center for Comprehensive Vision Care, a scholarship program for post-secondary education and a Tools for Living retail store with an extensive supply of adaptive technology.

The Chicago Lighthouse Vision Rehabilitation Center (The Chicago Lighthouse North) 222 Waukegan Road Glenview (847) 510-6200 chicagolighthouse.org

Serves to meet the needs of residents

on the north side of Chicago as well as in the northern suburbs. It houses a Birth-to-3 Early Intervention Program for infants and families; a state-ofthe-art low vision care clinic offering optometry, psychological counseling and occupational therapy services; and an array of enrichment programs for children and seniors.

The Illinois Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments P.O. Box 316634, Chicago (773) 882-1331 ipvi.org

Provides support information services to parents of visually impaired children.

DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED AGBMS-AEHI Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School 9300 Capitol Drive Wheeling (847) 850-5490 agbms.org

Provides an oral education program for deaf and hardof-hearing children using Cued Speech to enhance their ability to acquire age-appropriate literacy skills. Children are mainstreamed with hearing peers and receive support services from licensed teachers of the deaf and speech and language pathologists.

Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association (KSRA) 779-777-7285, www.kishsra.org

South East Association for Special Parks & Recreation (SEASPAR) 630-960-7600, www.seaspar.org

Lily Cache Special Recreation Association (LCSRA) 630-739-1124, www.lilycachesra.org

South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA) 815-806-0384, www.sssra.org

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) 815-320-3500, www.lwsra.org

South West Special Recreation Association (SWSRA) 708-389-9423, www.swsra.com

Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (M-NASR) 847-966-5522, www.mnasr.org

Southwestern Illinois Special Recreation Association (SWILSRA) 618-877-3059

McDonough County Special Recreation Association (MCSRA) 309-833-4526, www.mcsra.org

Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC) 847-816-4866, www.sraclc.org

Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) 630-620-4500, www.nedsra.org

Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC) Lindenhurst - 847-356-6011, www.lindenhurstparks.org Round Lake - 847-546-8558, www.rlapd.org/programs-specialrecreation.cfm Waukegan - 847-360-4760, www.waukeganparks.org Zion - 847-746-5500, www.zionparkdistrict.com

Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) 815-459-0737, www.nisra.org Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) 847-509-9400, www.nssra.org Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) 815-407-1819, www.nwcsra.org Northlands Association for Special Recreation (NASR) Belvidere 815-547-5711, www.belviderepark.org Freeport 815-235-6114, www.freeportparkdistrict.org Rockford 815-987-1606, www.rockfordparkdistrict.org Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) 847-392-2848, www.nwsra.org Oak Lawn Park District/Special Recreation Cooperative 708-857-2200, www.olparks.com River Valley Special Recreation Association (RVSRA) 815-933-7336, www.rivervalleysra.com Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (S.O.A.R.) 309-434-2260, www.bpard.org

Special Recreation of Joliet and Channahon (SRJC) 815-741-7275 x169, www.jolietpark.org/srjc-home Special Recreation Services (SRS) 708-841-1071 x233, www.specialrecservices.org Springfield Park District 217-544-1751, www.springfieldparks.org Veterans Park District/Village of River Grove 708-343-5270, www.veteransparkdistrict.org Warren Special Recreation Association (WSRA) 847-244-6619, www.warrentownship.net/wsra Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) 630-681-0962, www.wdsra.com West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) 847-455-2100, www.wssra.net

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DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED 3444 Dundee Road Northbrook (847) 559-0110 centerondeafness.org

Serves children and adults who have hearing impairments with additional handicapping conditions such as mental illness or developmental disabilities.

grams that help children increase their future skills.

GiGi’s Playhouse 2350 W. Higgins Road Hoffman Estates (847) 885-6149 gigisplayhouse.org

Provides parents of children with hearing loss with support, information and resources.

Worldwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers that offer free educational and therapeutic programs and support for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Other Illinois locations include Chicago, Fox Valley, Oak Forest, McHenry, Rockford and Bradley.

Illinois School for the Deaf

National Association for Down Syndrome

CHOICES for Parents P.O. Box 646, Highland Park (312) 523-6400 (866) 733-8729 choicesforparents.org

125 Webster Ave.Jacksonville (217) 479-4200 illinoisdeaf.org

Educates students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Project ReachIllinois Deaf-Blind Services 818 DuPage Blvd. Glen Ellyn (630) 790-2474 philiprockcenter.org/projectreach

Provides technical assistance/consultation, information, training and family support to address the needs of children with deafblindness, their families and their schools.

DOWN SYNDROME Down in the Southland P.O. Box 831, Tinley Park (708) 614-6118 downinthesouthland.org

Devoted to fostering the development of lifelong educational, social and life skills among individuals with Down syndrome and their families in the southern suburbs of Chicago. Provides educational support and pro-

1460 Renaissance Drive Suite #405, Park Ridge (630) 325-9112 nads.org

Services include information and support for families at every stage of life, leadership and self-advocacy training for young adults with Down syndrome, education for professionals working with individuals with disabilities, and trained public speakers who present at hospitals, schools and other organizations in the community.

Ups for Downs Hartford Plaza 1070 S. Roselle Road Schaumburg (847) 895-2100 upsfordowns.org

A volunteer parentrun group for families, professionals and people with Down syndrome. Topical meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month, from September through May at the Fox Links Golf Run Club House in Elk Grove Village. See website or email info@upsfordowns.org for more information.

EPILEPSY Danny Did Foundation P.O. Box 46576, Chicago (800) 278-6101 dannydid.org

The foundation’s website offers resources for parents, information on SUDEP and seizure safety, seizure monitoring devices and awarenessraising events. Funding goes toward families who cannot afford seizure devices and research.

GENERAL Access Living 115 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago (800) 613-8549 (312) 640-2100 accessliving.org

Offers peer-oriented independent living services; public education, awareness and outreach; individualized and systemic advocacy; and enforcement of civil rights on behalf of people with disabilities. All services are provided at no charge.

Anixter Center

Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois

Has your child been diagnosed or do you suspect that your child has a learning disability? For Information contact:

LDA of Illinois

10101 S. Roberts Rd, Ste 205 Palos Hills, IL 60465 (708) 430-7532 ldaofil@ameritech.net

2017 Fall Workshops Sept. 9 - What is a Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate IEP? Sept. 16 - Legal Issues re: Students with Learning Disabilities and their IEPs Sept. 23 - Navigating the IEP Process Oct. 14 - Why Kids Hate School: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression Oct. 21 - Putting the Bite in the BIP: Writing Effective Behavior Intervention Plans

Volo Commerce Center 26575 W. Commerce Dr. Unit 506 Volo, IL 60073 T: 847.740.6229 F: 847.740.6447

Nov. 18 - Child-Family-Community: The Power Trio for English Learners with Disabilities

Like us at Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois on

e: mannyot@sbcglobal.net

REVEL IN PLAY JOIN US

THIRD THURSDAYS for special programming for families with accessibility needs.

3 THURSDAY

PLAN YOUR VISIT TODAY! Y E ARS

DUPAGECHILDRENS.ORG/ACCESSIBILITY

ChicagoParent.com |

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Occupational Therapist

www.ldail.com

2001 N. Clybourn Ave. 3rd Floor, Chicago (773) 973-7900 anixter.org

Provides an array of services, including education, employment, life skills, communication, recreation, health care, counseling and support for people with disabilities. More than 8,000 children, teens and adults are served each year at locations across greater Chicago. Most people who receive services have physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, psychiatric or HIV/AIDSrelated disabilities.

MANNY HERRERA

Photo courtesy of Kristen Lisa.

Center on Deafness

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GENERAL

Photo by Frank Pinc

GiGi’s Playhouse Bluebird Day School 310 N. Loomis St., Chicago 1921 W. Irving Park Road Chicago (312) 243-8487 bluebirddayschool.com

Therapeutic preschool and kindergarten programs intended for kids ages 2-9. Each class is taught by a learning behavior specialist and at least two teaching assistants.

Blue Cap 2155 Broadway St. Blue Island (708) 389-6578 blue-cap.org

Offers a school for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, who are 3-21. On-site day care for children of all abilities age 2-5 is also available.

Center for Enriched Living

280 Saunders Road Riverwoods (847) 948-7001 centerforenrichedliving.org

Fun and learning join forces where youth, teens and adults enjoy social, art and recreational programs in Riverwoods and in the community beyond. Offers a summer camp for teens and young adults, 13-22, as well as day programs for adults.

Center for Independence through Conductive Education 100 W. Plainfield Road Countryside (708) 588-0833 center-for-independence.org

Provides intensive motor training programs based on the principles of conductive education for children with physical

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disabilities. Conductive education is an intensive method of teaching motor disabled children to be more functionally independent. The motivating, peer-supported program focuses on functional activities to improve independence and serves children with cerebral palsy ages 2-18. The transdisciplinary team of conductive education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists provide year round and summer programming. Locations also in Lake Zurich and 2434 S. Kildare, Chicago.

Center for Speech and Language Development (773) 750-7672 thespeechlanguagecenter.com

Private practice that

specializes in speech for children and adults.

Clearbrook 1835 W. Central Road Arlington Heights (847) 870-7711 clearbrook.org

Provides experiences and opportunities through programs and services for people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.

Community Support Services Inc. 9021 W. Ogden Ave. Brookfield (708) 354-4547 cssservices.org

Nonprofit serving people of all ages with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. Promotes independence and ability to engage in community life with respite,

CILA group homes and independent living arrangements, adult and parent support services, customized supported employment, transition planning and classes, cooking, art, health and wellness classes, and social activities. Cicero location (5416 W. 25th St.) focuses on family support services.

The Cove School 350 Lee Road, Northbrook (847) 562-2100 coveschool.org

A private K-12 day school that serves students with learning disabilities from more than 50 school districts around the Chicagoland area. Children from diverse backgrounds receive an individualized educational experience. Cove provides students with customized learning

strategies to complete an academic curriculum, while at the same time facilitating the development of students’ social and emotional skills and self-advocacy.

Division of Specialized Care for Children 818 S. Wolcott Ave., 7th Floor, Room 721, Chicago (800) 322-3722 dscc.uic.edu

Provides free care coordination for families of children with special health care needs. The program serves Illinois children who have certain chronic, treatable medical conditions. The staff works with doctors, specialists, schools and community organizations to connect families to services and resources to help their children thrive. Financial

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GENERAL assistance for certain medical expenses may be available for families who meet income guidelines.

Eyas Landing 1409 W. Carroll Ave. Chicago (312) 733-0883 eyaslanding.com

A pediatric therapy specializing in sensory integration, early intervention and relationshipbased therapy particularly with kids with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorders, apraxia, stuttering and sensory-based feeding disorders.

Illinois Department of Human Services-Disability Determination P.O. Box 19250 Springfield (800) 843-6154

dhs.state.il.us/page. aspx?item=29979

The Social Security Disability program provides benefits to people with severe disabilities whose impairments prevent them from performing gainful work.

Institute on Disability and Human Development-UIC Family Clinics 1640 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago (312) 413-1490 ahs.uic.edu/cl/familyclinics

Serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families across the lifespan. Services include a Hispanic Diagnostic and Family Support program, Early Intervention program and an Autism Clinic.

Jewish Child and Family Services 216 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 800, Chicago (855) ASK-JCFS jcfs.org

Services include homebased waiver for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, respite support, specialized recreational camps, Sibshops; social and recreational activities for Jewish adults with disabilities; support, assistance and training for independent living, legal advocacy and educational and support groups.

Bernard Weinger JCC 300 Revere Drive Northbrook (224) 406-9200 jccchicago.org

The All-In Swim aquatics inclusion program

uses an exclusive curriculum and certified staff to teach children with Autism Spectrum Disorder water safety and the foundation for proper swim techniques. The area’s JCCs offer a growing number of special needs programming.

Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Individuals with Special Needs 600 Academy Drive Suite 130, Northbrook (847) 205-1234 keshet.org

Provides educational, recreational and vocational programs for children and young adults with special needs. Year-round programs allow kids to play and work alongside their typically-developing

peers. Multiple locations throughout the Chicagoland area.

Kickstart Pediatric Therapy 1845 Oak St., Suite 15 Northfield (847) 386-6560 kickstartptn.com

Pediatric clinic offering OT, speech, mental health services, social groups and preschool playgroups and toddler playgroups (ages 18 month-36 months). Also specializes in early intervention.

Lambs Farm 14245 W. Rockland Road Libertyville (847) 362-4636 lambsfarm.org

Offers residential and recreational programs, as well as job training, support and placement services for those with

developmental disabilities. The businesses on the Lambs Farm campus serve as vocational training sites. Businesses include a farmyard, garden and pet center, thrift shop, bakery and country store.

Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois 10101 S. Roberts Road Suite 205, Palos Hills (708) 430-7532

Provides advocacy information and support to parents, learning disabled individuals, and professionals.

Lexi Kazian Foundation-Helping From Heaven 21760 W. Washington St. Grayslake (847) 624-LEXI helpingfromheaven.org

Helps network families

Transforming Young Lives Special Needs children usually have irregular brainwave patterns. Early treatment started with Neurofeedback can re-balance those brainwave patterns, and help normal development succeed.

Education • Recreation Vocational • Social Residential • Consulting

Call The Discovery Clinic in Glenview at 847-901-0909 to schedule a consultation or an evaluation. www.thediscoveryclinic.com

FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (847) 205-1234 • keshet.org

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GENERAL

Photo by Jaziphoto.com

NPN Developmental Differences Fair will be in March 2018. through fun events for the child with special needs that the whole family will enjoy. Also runs Lexiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Closet, a place to request therapy equipment for parents to test out before ordering it to make sure it works for their child. Also accepts donations of gently used therapy equipment to share with others.

Marklund 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva (630) 593-5500 marklund.org

Nonprofit that makes everyday life possible for infants, children and adults with severe and profound

developmental disabilities through residential and educational services. Campuses are located in Bloomingdale, Elgin and Geneva. Services include residential services for developmentally disabled infants, children and adults; specialized developmental training for residents as well as community clients; and also includes Marklund Day School: specialized education and life skills training for children with medical, developmental and physical disabilities, and those on the Autism Spectrum.

MidAmerica Service Dogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Foundation 7630 S. County Line Road Unit 3B, Burr Ridge

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(866) 4PAWS-44 midamericadogsfoundation. org

Provides service dogs and companion dogs to children and adults with mobility disabilities free of charge. Dogs and people are matched based on their specific training and disabilities.

Midwest Care Management Services 1329 W. Loyola Ave. Suite G4, Chicago (773) 360-5560 midwestcms.com

Provides care management and guardianship services to older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Neumann Family Services 5547 N. Ravenswood Ave. Chicago (773) 769-4313 neumannfamilyservices.org

Provides education, housing, recreation, rehabilitation, training and employment opportunities to adults with dual diagnoses of intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental illness.

New Star 1624 E. 154th St., Dolton (708) 841-1071 newstarservices.org

New Star grew from a merger of SouthSTAR Services and New Hope Center, Inc. in 2016.

With offices in Dolton, Chicago Heights, Crete and Schererville, Ind., the organization provides a wide range of services, including recreation, advocacy, employment, vocational training and residential and homebased services.

Oak Leyden Developmental Services 411 Chicago Ave., Oak Park (708) 524-1050 oak-leyden.org

Individual and group therapy and support services for children birth-5 with developmental delays; community dropin events for families with young children;

Music Together classes; day and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities.

P.A.C.E. at NLU 122 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago (312) 261-3770 nl.edu/paceatnlu

This National Louis University residentialbased program is a three-year course designed to meet the transitional needs for young adults with multiple intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities. P.A.C.E. integrates employment preparation, independent living skills coaching,

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GENERAL functional academic courses and social development to prepare students for independent living.

Pioneer Center 4031 Dayton St., McHenry (815) 344-1230 pioneercenter.org

Nonprofit that provides adult and youth behavioral health services, intellectual and developmental disability programming and homeless services through McHenry County PADS.

Ray Graham Association 901 Warrenville Road Suite 500, Lisle (630) 620-2222 raygraham.org

An innovative, personcentered organization that supports and works with people with disabilities, their families

and the community to improve the individual’s quality of life. Nearly 2,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy and autism, receive vocational, residential, educational, respite, therapeutic and recreational services and supports at 35 locations in DuPage County.

Shore Community Services Inc. 8350 Laramie Ave., Skokie (847) 982-2030 shoreservices.org

Provides programs for children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities including: autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and many secondary mental and physical disabilities for

birth-adult. Programs include residential, early intervention, supported living, home-based services, senior program, vocational, in-home respite and adult day services. All programs are tailored to meet the individuals’ needs and can focus on daily living skills, mobility, cognition, communication, socialization, fine and gross motor development, independent living, pre-vocational training, job training and job placement.

St. Coletta of Illinois 18350 Crossing Drive Suite 103, Tinley Park (708) 342-5200 stcolettail.org

Provides early childhood through high school education. The

school program serves about 80 students who are developmentally disabled or autistic. The Vocational Training Center in Tinley Park provides opportunities for 250 individuals with special needs to become self-sufficient and learn the responsibilities and benefits of working. St. Coletta’s residential program is designed to provide quality housing for special needs individuals. The program consists of 30 group homes within 15 southwest suburban communities of Chicago.

The Sensory Kids Store sensorykidstore.com (847) 920-4708

Started in 2011 by a

mom of kids with developmental challenges, the store carries a range of sensory, developmental and therapeutic toys, clothing and aids available online and by appointment in the showroom, homes, clinics and schools.

The Center for Speech & Language Development 4905 Old Orchard Blvd. Suite 236, Skokie (773) 750-7672 thespeechlanguagecenter.com

A private practice that specializes in varying disorders, diagnoses and delays, designed to meet the evolving needs of our families and offers supports in speech-language pathology, behavior, nutrition and developmental treatment.

Spectrum Toy Store 1911 W. Belmont, Chicago (773) 231-8001 spectrumtoystore.com

Provides kid-friendly sensory products that fit families’ needs, camps and toy subscription services.

Trinity Services Inc. 301 Veterans Parkway New Lenox (815) 485-6197 trinity-services.org

Serves 3,500 children and adults who have developmental disabilities or mental illness needs. Services for people with developmental disabilities include residential options, Trinity School for K-12, adult learning programs, employment services, a therapeutic horseback-riding program, crisis prevention

A Therapy Clinic That Understands Your Child. OUR SPECIALTIES

· Autism Spectrum Disorder · Sensory Processing Disorder · Feeding Disorders · Apraxia · ADHD · Stuttering

OUR THERAPIES

· Sensory Integration · DIRFloortime® · Applied Behavior Analysis · Handwriting Without Tears · SOS Feeding Therapy · Therapeutic Listening

1409 W. Carroll Ave | Chicago, IL 60607 | 312.733.0883 | eyaslanding.com ChicagoParent.com |

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Back to School Education Guide

Private case management agency offering educational planning and advocacy services for individuals with special needs, their families, and caregivers.

Coming in August

MIDWEST services include:

✔ review of school programming and placement ✔ attendance at IEPs and all school meetings ✔ collaboration with schools, private agencies, and www.midwestcms.com professionals ✔ consultation with legal teams, guardians, parents, and families ✔ supplementation of school services with individualized home, private supports ✔ on-going case management and oversight of all services ✔ referrals and information on guardianship process

Midwest Care Management Services, Inc. 1329 W. Loyola Avenue Suite G4, Chicago 773.360.5560 • www.midwestcms.com

For more information, call (708) 386 5555 or visit chicagoparent.com

At Southwest Dental

we take special care of

special needs.

Exceptional care and patient comfort go hand in hand at Southwest Dental Group. This gives special needs children and adults an experience they can feel good about - with the option of IV sedation for situational anxiety. We believe there’s no need too special.

(708) 403-3355 16600 South 107th Court Orland Park, IL

Dr. Tentler holds diplomate status in the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists. Dr. Robert L. Tentler and Associates, General Dentistry

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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Dr. Bob Tentler

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RECREATION and intervention services. Trinity’s Behavioral Health program provides comprehensive therapeutic services for people with a mental illness or dual diagnosis, residential programs, services specific to autism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, traditional counseling for individuals, families and groups.

V.I.P Service Dog Foundation P.O. Box 851, Oswego (866) 439-3362 vipservicedogfoundation.com

Trains service and companion dogs for the developmentally or physically disabled.

RECREATION 1st Position Dance and Movement Held at Dance Center Evanston 1934 Dempster St. Evanston The Joffrey Tower 10 E. Randolph St., Chicago (847) 563-8719 1stposition.org

Designed to encourage movement and improve posture and selective motor control, this dance program for kids also promotes socialization and artistic expression. Classes include facilitators for each student and live piano music.

Chicago Children’s Museum Navy Pier 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago (312) 527-1000 chicagochildrensmuseum.org

On the second Saturday of every month, the museum hosts its Play For All program, which provides families with children with special needs a chance to visit the museum early and play in a quiet, more manageable setting.

Opens at 9 a.m. for the pre-registered guests and offers a quiet room with special lighting. Museum opens to the public at 10 a.m. The first 250 to register (limit six per family) receive free admission.

Dolphin Swim Club Crystal Lake, Loves Park, Rochelle dolphinswimclub.com

Offers year-round lessons for students of all ages and abilities. Instructors are experienced in mentoring students with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and sensory integration disorder.

Haley’s Playground Inc. 2230 Cornell Ave. Montgomery (630) 777-5045 haleysplayground.com

Provides a safe, healthy, sensory motor environment for individuals with physical, cognitive and social disabilities to improve their quality of life through play, exercise, activity and education while interacting with members of their families, friends and peers. The goal is to educate children how to play together in everyday situations. The kids, teens and young adults have all different types of special needs, and are mentored by their peers of typical development. Offers Thursday Teen Night, Saturday Morning Classes and Sunday Open Gym.

Karate Can-Do! North Shore Dojo 2081 Johns Court Glenview (847) 729-0001 karatecando.org

Dedicated to helping children with learning differences and physical challenges reach their full potential through the teachings and techniques

Spectrum Toy Store of karate, a martial arts discipline which improves physical, cognitive and emotional health.

KEEN: Kids Enjoy Exercise Now P.O. Box 06255, Chicago (312) 876-2535 keenchicago.org

Nonprofit, volunteerled organization that provides free one-to-one

recreational opportunities for people 5-21 with developmental and physical disabilities. KEEN pairs a trained volunteer “coach” with a young athlete in sports and swim program. Programs take place at UIC Sport and Fitness Center, UIC East Campus, Loyola Park, Alcott College Prep

High School and Sky High Sports.

Right Fit Sport Fitness Wellness 7101 S. Adams St., Unit 7 Willowbrook 1045 S. LaGrange Road LaGrange (630) 850-4050 right-fit.com

Right Fit’s Raise the Bar fitness programs ChicagoParent.com |

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and camps are offered year round for youth and adults with autism spectrum disorders and those physically and mentally challenged. Right Fit is a partner with PAK (ProActive Kids), training youths who struggle with obesity and providing support to the families.

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Therapeutic Preschool ACA DEMY Program Therapeutic Preschool Program

Providing

speech the occupation rapy, al th feeding th erapy, erapy, & ABA th erapy... IN A P RESCHOOL S

ETTINg

THE ONLY PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN CHICAGO! OUR PROGRAM DETAILS

• Designed and staffed by a team of expert speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapists, and feeding therapists • Programs target pivotal developmental milestones using evidence-based practices • Custom daily schedules support every child in meeting their unique goals • Parents receive daily updates with photos and descriptions of activities our SERVICES

• Speech therapy is provided daily by fully licensed speech-language pathologists • Occupational therapy supports sensory integration by using indoor gross-motor equipment and sensory toys • ABA therapy incorporates elements of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and other effective approaches • Feeding therapy utilizes techniques from the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach

our team of therapists

• All staff have earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree • CST Academy hires only the top 1% of pediatric speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, ABA therapists, and feeding therapists • Maximum student-to-teacher ratio is 3-to-1 to allow for individualized care

FOR S U L L A C

FRmEaEtio r n o f n i

TO LEARN MORE

(773) 620-7800

To schedule a FREE tour or request more information about CST ACADEMY: call (773) 620-7800 or visit www.ChicagoTherapeuticPreschool.com CSP0717_036.indd 1

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RECREATION

Photo by Thomas Kubik

Therapy Yoga Gymnastics Rocks School of Performing Arts Spectrum Program 1112 S. Washington Suite 100, Naperville (630) 717-6622 schoolofperformingarts.com

Workshops in music, theater, dance and visual arts geared toward children with special needs. Also offers summer camps for children with special needs.

Second City Improv for ASD 1608 N. Wells St., Chicago (312) 664-3959 secondcity.com/training/ chicago

The Second City Training Center has cre-

ated an improv for 8- to 18-year-olds with Autism Spectrum Disorders for a unique experience that focuses on teamwork, communication and comedy.

Sky High Sports 2244 Corporate Lane Naperville (630) 717-5867 nap.jumpskyhigh.com 6424 Howard St., Niles (847) 801-5867 nil.jumpskyhigh.com

Every Tuesday, Sky High turns off the music and dials down the distractions for special jumpers. One court remains especially quiet for kids with sensory

disorders. Even children with physical disabilities can join the fun. A parent can take their child out of the wheelchair and lay them on the trampoline, then jump, gently bouncing their child on the trampoline. Cost is $5 for three hours for the special jumper with one parent or therapist who jumps free. Siblings, friends and others who jump are also $5.

Special Gifts Theatre P.O. Box 2231, Northbrook (847) 564-7704 specialgiftstheatre.org

An educational- and therapy-based drama program for individuals who have special needs. SGT uses the stage as a platform to develop social skills, increase self-confidence and improve speech communication. Multiple locations and programs are available year-round for children and adults.

Special Olympics Illinois 500 Waters Edge, Suite 100 Lombard (630) 942-5610 soill.org

Provides sports training and competition for kids

(8 and older) and adults with intellectual disabilities. Check website for competition schedule and locations in Chicago area.

Athletes program, contact youngathletes@soill.org

Special Olympics Illinois Young Athletes Program

The Special Recreation Associations Network of Illinois (SRANI) is a network of therapeutic recreation agencies. Special Recreation Associations provide communitybased special recreation services to children and adults with disabilities. These agencies are members of the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.

(630) 942-5610 (309) 888-2551 soill.org/young-athletes

A gross motor training program for children with and without intellectual disabilities between 2-7 years old. Young Athletes focuses on motor development and preparation for participation in future sport. For information about starting a Young ChicagoParent.com |

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Special Recreation Associations in Illinois specialrecreation.org

SpecÄąal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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SUPPORT The Sensory Garden Playground 2751 Navistar Drive, Lisle playforalldupage.org

The Sensory Garden Playground is a combination of sensoryintegrated playground equipment and amenities along with gardening areas. It includes a 2-5-year-old playground area, fragrance garden and sound garden.

Therapy Yoga Gymnastics Rocks Locations in Chicago, Libertyville, Niles and Northbrook (773) 991-7316 therapygymnastics.com

Provides pediatric occupational and physical therapy in fun gymnastic and yoga centers. Certified therapists create fun individualized sessions that use gymnastics equipment and yoga activities to improve physical, social, cognitive and life skills

SUPPORT Celebrate Differences 5375 Route 34, Suite 4 Oswego (630) 885-3006 celebratedifferences.org

An all-inclusive community resource center, welcoming all children and their families regardless of age or disability. Offers informative monthly workshops, sibling workshops, a resource library, an annual summer and holiday party, a Next Chapter book club, play groups and more. It also operates A Pinch of Happiness Spice Shop, which sells teas, coffee and extacts. Connects families through outreach projects, social activities and social networking.

The Cove School Center for Independent Futures 1015 Davis St., Evanston (847) 328-2044 independentfutures.com

A not-for-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and their families access the skills and opportunities to realize full lives.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities 11 E. Adams St., Suite 1002 Chicago (312) 939-3513 frcd.org

Provides information and support for families, free seminars, Youth Advocacy Project and Parent-ToParent Training Project.

National Lekotek Center 2001 N. Clybourn Ave. Suite 100, Chicago (773) 528-5766 lekotek.org or ableplay.org

Offers therapeutic playbased sessions and play groups for children with dis-

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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abilities (birth-8 years) and their families. These play sessions are structured to help children with special needs learn, develop and thrive. Toys and play are used to help the children relate to the world around them. Families who are members of the Lekotek program are able borrow five toys per month from the toy lending library. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

Protected Tomorrows Charities 103 Schelter Road Lincolnshire (847) 522-8086 protectedtomorrows charities.org

Not-for-profit dedicated to helping families with special needs optimize the lifelong care of their loved ones. The mission is to provide resources, research and education for families of individuals with disabilities and the elderly.

South Chicago Parents & Friends

support. Childcare provided on-site.

10241 S. Commercial Ave. Chicago (773) 734-2222 scpf-inc.org

Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters

Supports people of the South Deering, South Chicago, South Shore, Pullman and Roseland communities with developmental disabilities, enabling them to become productive, valued members of society by allowing them to learn, work, play and live just like others. Second location in University Park.

Special Parents for Special Kids specialparentsforspecialkids. com

A parent-led group open to all parents, regardless of their child’s diagnosis. Hosts monthly meetings with guest speakers to share experiences and

3800 N. Lake Shore Drive #3E, Chicago (708) 989-3619 sibsnetwork.org

Nonprofit providing support to siblings of people with disabilities in Illinois by connecting them with information, networking opportunities and resources to enhance the quality of life for their entire family. For more information, e-mail tara@ sibsnetwork.org.

Sibsensations Advocate Children’s Hospital 1675 Dempster, 2nd floor, Park Ridge (847) 723-9484 siblingsupport.org

Offers support for siblings ages 8-13 of children with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and

selected chronic illnesses. Meetings and activities held Saturday mornings.

The Apraxia Connection theapraxiaconnection.org

The volunteer board of directors, advisors and helping hands of the community strive to connect neighborhood resources and information on apraxia and associated disorders with the individuals, families, therapists, educators and other professionals who need them.

Tic Together Community Group Support group for people whose lives have been touched by Tourette Syndrome. Meets the third Wednesday of every month and is open to all ages and educators as well. For more information, email tic2gether@ gmail.com.

| ChicagoParent.com

7/6/17 2:59 PM

A partner for families T

he path to treatment isn’t always clear after your child gets a diagnosis. But for the past 80 years, the Division of Specialized Care for Children has walked that path side by side with families of kids with special healthcare needs, clearing the way. The free statewide program helps families get medical treatment, facilitates communication between specialists and primary care doctors (including attending appointments), arranges transportation, IEPs and advocacy among other efforts, says Molly Hofmann, associate director of care coordination. It also can help eligible families pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance, including wheelchair parts and ramps. Only certain special needs are currently eligible, such as hearing and vision loss, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, but Hofmann says the program is looking at expanding services in order to help more children. It currently reaches upwards of 15,000 kids a year, but Hofmann says too many families still do not know about the program. For info, visit dscc.uic.edu. THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL & DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRIC CLINIC

Specializing in the treatment of children with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder and Developmental Delays.

THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL & DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRIC CLINIC

Specializing in the treatment of children with Autism, Sensory THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRIC CLINIC THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL & &and DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRIC Processing Disorder Developmental Delays. CLINIC

in the Autism, treatment Sensory of childrenProcessing with Autism, Sensory Specializing in the treatment ofSpecializing children with Disorder and Developmental Delays. Processing Disorder and Developmental Delays.

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES Therapeutic Pre-School ∙ Transitional Kindergarten ∙ Birth-to-Three Center Educational Therapy ∙ IEP Support ∙ Classroom Aides ∙ Inclusion Support Parent Coaching & Training ∙ Case Management ∙ Social Groups/Dyads Toddler/Parent Play ∙ Social Thinking Groups ∙ Improv ∙ Teen Groups ∙ Summer Camps Feeding Therapy ∙ Occupational Therapy ∙ Speech Language Pathology ∙ Social Work Individual Developmental Therapy ∙ Therapeutic Intensives ∙ Supportive Birthday Parties Pre-School · Transitional Kindergarten · BehavioralRelationship-Based Interventions · BCBA · Educational Therapy Clinic And Home Based ∙ Developmental, Therapeutic Clinic

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES Therapeutic · IEP Support Classroom Aides · Inclusion Support · Parent Coaching & Training · Case Management · Social Groups/Dyads Therapeutic Pre-School ∙ Transitional Kindergarten ∙ Birth-to-Three Center Toddler/Parent Play · Social Thinking Groups · Improv · Teen Groups · Summer Camps · Feeding Therapy Educational Therapy ∙ IEP Support ∙ Classroom Aides ∙ Inclusion Support Occupational Therapy · Speech Language Pathology · Social Work · Individual Developmental Therapy · Therapeutic Intensives ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS: Parent Coaching & Training ∙ Case Management ∙ Social Groups/Dyads Supportive Birthday Parties · Clinic And Home Based · Developmental, Relationship-Based Therapeutic Clinic

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES

Drama ∙ Gymnastics ∙ Music ∙and Art Therapy ∙ Cooking Toddler/Parent Play ∙ Social Thinking Groups Improv ∙ Teen Groups ∙ Summer Camps Feeding Therapy ∙ Occupational Therapy ∙ Speech Language Pathology ∙ Social Work Center Therapeutic Pre-School ∙ Transitional Kindergarten ∙ Birth-to-Three Individual Developmental Therapy ∙ Therapeutic Intensives ∙ Supportive Birthday Parties Educational Clinic Therapy IEP Support ∙ Classroom Aides ∙ Inclusion Support And Home∙ Based ∙ Developmental, Relationship-Based Therapeutic Clinic

Tailored Educational Programming Kindergarten Through Third Grade

For a complete&listing of our current programming please visit website or call us. Parent Coaching Training ∙ schedules Case and Management ∙ our Social Groups/Dyads For a complete listing of our current schedules and programming please visit our website or call us. Complimentary Consultation | (312)∙624-8750 | leepforward.com Toddler/Parent Play ∙ Social Thinking Groups Improv ∙ Teen Groups ∙ Summer Camps ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS: Complimentary Consultation | (312) 624-8750 | leepforward.com Feeding Therapy ∙ Occupational Therapy ∙ Speech Language Drama ∙ Gymnastics ∙ Music and Art Therapy ∙ CookingPathology ∙ Social Work Individual Developmental Therapy ∙ Therapeutic Intensives ∙ Supportive Birthday Parties Clinic And Home Based ∙ Developmental, Relationship-Based Therapeutic Clinic ChicagoParent.com |

For a complete listing of our current schedules and programming please visit our website or call us.

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

Complimentary Consultation | (312) 624-8750 | leepforward.com CSP0717_039.indd 1

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS:

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INSPIRATIONS

Building confidence, one coffee at a time BY ELIZABETH DIFFIN

ubrey Soukup might be petite in stature, but her gigawatt smile is hard to miss. And every Tuesday morning, customers at Hugs & Mugs are sure to be on the receiving end of one of her grins when they grab a coffee or gelato.

Hugs & Mugs Giftshop & Café is part of GiGi’s Playhouse, the Down syndrome achievement center based in Hoffman Estates. The café’s employees are graduates of GiGi University, an eight-week program that teaches young adults with Down syndrome essential life skills, such as healthy eating, interviewing and budgeting. Aubrey has been able to implement some of those skills at her paying job; she works at McDonald’s two days a week. Since GiGi U—as it’s commonly called—is free, graduates are required to volunteer at Hugs & Mugs for 18 months (they only take home tips). But most graduates enjoy the experience so much that they stay longer. Aubrey has worked there for three years. In addition to the café, the “mug” part of the name refers to how customers can create personalized gifts, such as mugs and water bottles. Aubrey enjoys designing the artwork for the personalized items, choosing relevant quotes and drawing pictures. But her favorite part of Hugs & Mugs— and of GiGi’s Playhouse in general—is helping with LMNOP, a hands-on class for babies and toddlers. “I get to interact with people that are just like me,” she says. “I can be a great role model.” Nancy Gianni, the founder of GiGi’s Playhouse, says that Aubrey’s work with younger kids has had a big impact not just on the children, but on their parents, as well. “What I love about Aubrey is she knows this isn’t just about the babies that she’s helping, it’s about the parents watching her as a young adult with Down syndrome,” Gianni says. “I think she feels empowered.” Aubrey’s mom, Julie, agrees, saying that the biggest thing her daughter has gained from working at Hugs & Mugs is confidence. “[I feel] very proud, especially seeing her with the younger kids at LMNOP,” Julie says. “Because that’s how I remember her... and now she’s helping kids with special needs so they can grow up and learn to be accepted and caring and kind to others.” Aubrey will complete the Lake Zurich High School transition program in December

Specıal Parent Summer 2017 CHICAGO

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and plans to go to college—she’s considering Harper College and Judson University—for more training in working with kids who have special needs. “Growing up, people told us, ‘She probably won’t be able to do this,’” Julie says. “We never held her back. She can pass that on, as she helps kids with special needs, that you can do what you set your mind to. You can accomplish what your dreams and goals are.” Aubrey dreams of owning her own GiGi’s Playhouse one day, and Gianni thinks that’s a great idea. “I think she’d be an amazing advocate and an amazing peer to work alongside,” Gianni says. “I really respect her and her dedication and passion.” And in the meantime, if you happen to stop by Hugs & Mugs on a Tuesday morning, be sure to say hi to the petite brunette with the contagious grin. Because Aubrey’s got a big smile to go along with her big dreams—and she’ll serve it up with a scoop of gelato.

Aubrey Soukup, 21 Hometown: Kildeer

Family: Parents Dana and Julie; siblings Austin, 23, Andrew, 18, Ashley, 16, Alayna, 13, and Aidan, 9 In her words: “Don’t give up on your self. You have achieved so much in your life that I wouldn’t give up on anything, even if someone says you can’t. You have to remind yourself that you can do anything. You can set your own limits. … You were born to stand out.”

PHOTOS BY FRANK PINC

| ChicagoParent.com

7/6/17 3:04 PM

Where Hope and Healing Meet At Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago, our mission is simple: deliver world-class care to children who need it most – regardless of their ability to pay. For over 90 years, thousands of families with children affected by orthopaedic conditions, cleft lip and palate, spinal cord injury, and rehabilitation needs have come

through our doors with hopes of finding the very best pediatric specialty care. Under our roof, those hopes are answered every day — by physicians, nurses, and specialists using the latest technology, innovative research, and a collaborative, family-centered approach. It’s how the 22 Shriners Hospital locations provided care to over 121,000 children last year alone.

facebook.com/shrinerschicago twitter.com/shrinerschicago shrinerschicago.org

Do You Know a Child Who Needs Expert Specialty Care?

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For a consultation, or to refer a patient, call:

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago 773-385-KIDS (5437) 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707

7/6/17 11:08 AM

SpecialParent2016.pdf

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