Workshops (also support group meetings, social skills groups and sibshops)
Fees and pre-registration may be required for many of these workshops. CEUs and CPDUs are
also available for most workshops. Please call the contact for more details. Scroll to the end of
this workshop calendar for links to more workshops!
If you would like to add your workshop or meeting, contact autismcc@yahoo.com
May 13
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
May 13
Behavior Problems and Functional Behavioral Assessment
Contact: www.psych.uic.edu/ldn/ddc.htm - Lana Roth - 312-413-4624 - you must register to
attend
Location: Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, Rm 261 - 5:30-
7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Developmental Disorders Clinic at UIC. Children with autism sometimes display
challenging behaviors. At times, the behaviors can be difficult to understand. This workshop is
designed to help parents and caregivers better understand the possible functions of their child's
behavior and the factors that are important while developing a behavior plan.
May 14
Helping Individuals Improve Sleeping and Eating Routines
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
This workshop wil look at a variety of problems seen with eating and sleeping. Participants will be
taught to set up predictable routines and establish behavior and reinforcement programs.
Several examples to modify the environment and establish new routines will be shared including
looking at sensory issues.
May 15
Developmental Therapies for Children with Autism
Contact: maria.lemler@gmail.com - 224-406-4525
Location: Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Ave., Evanston - 6:30 p.m.
Maria Lemler, a senior at Evanston Township High school, has conducted an independent
project that is a combination of career exploration, service learning and research. She is giving a
presentation on her research into yoga, music and occupational therapy as an intervention for
children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. The presentation will look at these therapies
from the perspective of professionals and therapists, the observer, helper and some experiences
that are similar to what the autistic clients and students may experience.
May 15
Autistic Bowel Disease
Contact: Karen McDonough - naa-chicago@sbcglobal.net
Location: Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton, Hendrickson Rm. - 7-9 p.m.
The NAA Chicago Metro Chapter meeting will show a presentation by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and
Dr. Arthur Krigsman, Autistic Bowel Disease from the November 2007 National Autism
Conference followed by an open discussion. All are welcome to attend.
May 16
Making Sense out of Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
Contact: Starnet
Location: Aramark, 2300 Warrenville, Downers Grove - 8:30-3 p.m.
Children diagnosed with NVLD present with distinctly different strengths and weaknesses which
are often misinterpreted. Children with NVLD often miss obvious social cues and fail to
understand implied messages, resulting in poor social skills. This workshop will clarify the NVLD
diagnosis, discuss assessment options and provide specific treatment and learning strategies.
May 20
6th Annual Arc of Illinois Expo for People with Disabilities
Contact: Janet Donahue - 708-206-1930 - Arc of Illinois
Location: Holiday Inn Convention Center, Tinley Park
May 20
Autism and Social Skills Training
Contact: www.psych.uic.edu/ldn/ddc.htm - Lana Roth - 312-413-4624 - you must register to
attend
Location: Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, Rm 261 - 5:30-
7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Developmental Disorders Clinic at UIC. This workshop is designed to help
parents learn about the current techniques used to teach and support social skills in children and
adolescents with ASD. During the workshop, parents will have an opportunity to develop
intervention strategies for their child.
May 21-25
Autism One Conference
Location: Westin O'Hare Hotel, Chicago
Giant Chicago conference with Jenny McCarthy as keynote speaker. See website for list of
workshops, speakers, etc.
May 23-27
Assoc for Behavior Analysis International 34th Annual Convention
Contact: ABA International
Location: Hilton Chicago
Over 1,500 presentations and more than 4,000 attendees including professors, researchers,
undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, parents and consultants in the field of behavior
analysis. Topics range from developmental disabilities to verbal behavior to experimental
analysis of behavior to organizational behavior management.
May 27
Introducing a Child to His or Her Diagnosis
Contact: www.psych.uic.edu/ldn/ddc.htm - Lana Roth - 312-413-4624 - you must register to
attend
Location: Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, Rm 261 - 5:30-
7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Developmental Disorders Clinic at UIC. Explaining autism to children and
adolescents with autism can be challenging. This session is designed to help parents and
caregivers better understand when explaining a diagnosis of autism may be appropriate or
helpful for their child (pros and cons) and strategies to do so.
May 27-28
Big Book of Visual Systems Workshop
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Cost: $525 per person for both days
All parents and professionals will receive the Big Book of Visual Systems. This workshop is
helpful for parents, respite and EI providers, therapists, adult and children service staff and
anyone who works directly with children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
Day one includes preventing behavior problems, improving communication, role play, make and
take and how to use the book. Day two includes developing individualized programs, assemble
books, role play and be ready to start using the big book now.
May 28
Plainfield Parents of Aspies Support Group
Contact: Anita McCormick - plnfldaspiemom@aol.com
Location: Plainfield Township, 22525 W Lockport Rd., Plainfield - 7-9 p.m.
This group is for any parent of special needs children. Our focus is on Asperger/HFA and other
developmental disorders. We are a group of parents who just want to get together and support
each other and learn more about how to raise, educate and advocate for our kids.
May 28
Learning Exceptional Care Program
Contact: 800-432-0170 - www.precisioneducation.com/daycare
Location: NIU Naperville Campus, 1120 E Diehl Rd., Naperville - Fee $1597.00
Training program for childcare providers serving children with exceptional learning needs.
Children with disabilities and their families need options to find quality care. Precision Education
presents an exclusive training for childcares and preschools in the area of disability education.
June 3
Adolescence and Autism
Contact: www.psych.uic.edu/ldn/ddc.htm - Lana Roth - 312-413-4624 - you must register to
attend
Location: Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, Rm 261 - 5:30-
7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Developmental Disorders Clinic at UIC. Adolescence can be a difficult time for
any child. For children with autism and their families, the physical, behavioral, emotional and
social changes may be overwhelming. This session will review the changes associated with
adolescence and how they impact children with autism. Suggestions for easing the transition and
promoting independent functioning will be provided.
June 5
Understanding ASD and Successful Treatment Strategies
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
June 5
Visual Strategies
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
June 6
Communication Training
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
June 6
Communicative Functions of Behavior
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
June 9
Teaching Independent Skills Using Nonverbal Prompts
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
June 10
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
June 10
Early Communication: Concerns and Strategies
Contact: www.psych.uic.edu/ldn/ddc.htm - Lana Roth - 312-413-4624 - you must register to
attend
Location: Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, Rm 261 - 5:30-
7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Developmental Disorders Clinic at UIC. This workshop is intended for parents
of young children who are demonstrating delays in communication and social skills and who have
not yet been evaluated for an autism spectrum disorder. The workshop will provide information
about typical communication development, important red flags and diagnostic evaluations. The
workshop will conclude with strategies for early intervention.
June 24
Helping Siblings Understand Autism
Contact: www.psych.uic.edu/ldn/ddc.htm - Lana Roth - 312-413-4624 - you must register to
attend
Location: Institute for Juvenile Research at UIC, 1747 W Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, Rm 261 - 5:30-
7:30 p.m.
Presented by the Developmental Disorders Clinic at UIC. It can be difficult for parents of children
with autism to decide what to tell their typically developing children about autism. This session is
designed to help parents make decisions about when and what to tell their other children. We
will also provide suggestions for promoting positive relationships between children with autism
and their siblings.
June 27-28
The Gathering
Contact: www.managingtheartofliving.org
Location: Grand Bear Lodge at Starved Rock, Utica
Sponsored by the Illinois Council of Developmental Disabilities, this two day conference will help
you learn about person directed supports through the development of Microboards and Human
Service Cooperatives.
June 28
Family Sibday
Contact: Shella Swann Guerrero - 773-296-8127 - You must register to attend. $30 per family
Location: Advocate Illinois Masonic Pediatric Developmental Center, 3040 N Wilton, 2nd Flr,
Chicago - 9:30-2:00 p.m.
Family Sibday is an annual event that is dedicated to brothers and sisters of children with a
range of special needs and their families. It is a day to bring together families of children with
special needs to meet new families, network, learn and have fun. Families will be split up into
separate workshops for parents/caregivers, children sibshop, teen sibshop and recreation
activities for children with disabilities and children under 5 years of age.
July 8
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
July 15
Positive Proactive Programs for Individuals with Behavior Problems
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
July 15
Parent's Perspective
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
July 16
Characteristics and Behavioral Issues in Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
July 16
Sensory Processing
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
July 17
Structured Teaching TEACCH
Contact: Kelly Ronan - kronan@lilfriends.com - 630-281-1866
Location:: Little Friends Center for Autism, 140 N Wright St., Naperville
Attend all summer training workshops for $550 or choose per training.
July 17-18
Mid America Super Conference on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
Contact: Future Horizons
Location: Dixon HIstoric Theatre, 114 S Galena Ave., Dixon
Conference featuring Dr. Tony Atwood and Dr. Temple Grandin as keynote speakers. See
website for details.
August 12
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
September 9
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
October 14
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
November 11
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
December 9
GRASP Support Group for Teens
Contact: Brian King - GRASP FAQs - Register here (Select Naperville IL Network) -
brianLCSW@comcast.net
Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E Gartner Rd., Rm 233, Naperville - 630-355-
1748 - This support group for teens with ASD meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7-
9 p.m.
You may also look for additional workshops at these websites:
Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital
Arc of Illinois
Autism One – download presentations from their previous conference as well as order audio and
videotapes
Autism One Radio – offers daily discussions on a variety of autism related issues
Autism Society of Illinois
City Kids Inc
Easter Seals DuPage
Illinois Early Intervention
Illinois SibShop Directory
Illinois STARNET I and III
Illinois STARNET II
Illinois STARNET IV
Illinois STARNET V
Illinois STARNET VI
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center
Learning Disorders Online
Understanding Autism
Meds-PDN
Ongoing
Life Skills BASICS for cihldren ages 3-10 with autism
Contact: Little Friends Center for Autism - Patti Boheme - 630-281-1895 or Mary Crissman - 630-
281-1897
The BASICS Model is designed to instruct parents on how to teach their child basic life skills
using visual systems and discrete trial. Consultation is provided twice a month in the home by a
life skills consultant who will assist the parent in developing goals, teaching the child, monitoring
goals and progress and advancing the child's skills. Parents interested in applying for the
BASICS program need to complete an application including an IEP and any formal assessments.
Autism/PDD Training Team for Schools
Contact: www.thenia.org - Tammy Boyer 815-964-0937 x10
Do you work with a student with Autism/PDD? Would you like to problem solve with the NIA
Autism/PDD training team. Call to find out how you and your team can meet with the NIA Regional
Autism Training and Technical Assistance Team. We can share ideas, brainstorm a specific
need, develop an adaptation, identify relevant teaching strategies, materials and resources for a
particular interest.
