Autism Community Connection local resource directory

Autism Community Connecti= on

Connecting Illinois Resources, Family, Community and Hope

Home ACC News Worksh= ops Community Eve= nts About A= CC Conta= ct Us

Special Needs Local Resource Directory &= nbsp; Updated: 9-2007

We created this ambitious directory to reduce the Herculean task of finding local doctors, resources and community services that support our family members with speci= al needs. Sports and recreational activities with special needs programs are listed under a separate heading in this list. Autism Community Connection does n= ot endorse any of the following. Please contact us at autismcc= @yahoo.com to add new information to our list. There are numerous website links o= n this list. If you are reading a pa= per copy please go to our website at www.autismcommunityconnection.com for full access.

Academic= /Cognitive Assessment

Driver&#= 8217;s Education

Educatio= nal Advocacy (see IEP Consultant)

ENT – Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, Throat)

Financial Planning

Garage Sales

Hair Sty= lists

Handicap= ped Placard

Handyman (Therapy rooms)

Hospitals

IEP Consultant/Attorneys

Illinois Disability Resources

Illinois State Departments/Agencies=

Medical = Claims

Museums

Music Programs

Napervil= le Police Dept – GPS bracelets and Ta= rget Resident Program

<= span style=3D'font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Napervil= le Public Library – Boardmak= er, Autism book list

Nature

Neurofee= dback

Neurolog= ist

Optometr= ist/Ophthalmologist

Park Dis= tricts

Parking Placards

Pediatri= cians and General Practitioners

Pediatri= cians – Dan! Healthcare Practitioners

Psychiat= rists/Psychologists

Recreati= on Activities

Recreati= on Activities – Special Needs Programs

Scholars= hip Programs

School Districts

Service = Dogs

SibShops

Social S= kills Groups

Sports

Sports &= #8211; Special Needs Programs

Therapy – Comprehensive Therapy Centers, ABA, Developmental, <= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>Occupational, <= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>Speech

Therapy, Alternative – Art, Hippotherapy, <= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>Hyperbaric Oxygen, Music, RDI, Vision, <= span style=3D'mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow"'>Misc.

Vocation= al Training

Water Pa= rks – Local

Water Park/Hotels – Illinois and Midwest

Zoos

Academic/Cognitive Assessment=

It is recommended by www.wrightslaw.com and other professionals to have an independent cognitive and academic assessment on y= our child as a starting point when discussing supports and services for the IEP= and as a follow up to determine if the child is making academic progress.<= /o:p>

Dr. Nichole Dawson, Pediatric Neuro-Psychologist – 40 S Clay St., Ste 204W, Hinsdale – 630-789-0423

Experience with ASD children, does non-verbal testing – cognitive and academic evaluations

Notes from Parents: “She was absolutely wonderful. the information we received from her was outstanding. Every single therapist, teacher and other specialist who sees her re= port are shocked by the amount of recommendations she gave us.” “In addition to the actual assessment, she is extremely knowledgeable on IEP issues and where to find supportive material to make your case for school services. I have had school staff ask me for= her business card to recommend to others.”

Dr. Richen= el Ellecom, Clinical Neuro-Psychologist - Willowbrook

N= orth Shore School Psychological Services, Inc. 3000 Dundee Rd., Ste 205, Northbrook – 847-509-1950

Offers consultation, assessment and intervention proposals

Dr. Rene Szabo – 417 W Roosev= elt Rd., Ste 10, Wheaton – 630-774-0177

Cognitive and academic evaluations<= o:p>

Dr. Roger Stefani, Clinical Psychologist

Note from Parent: “He did a very in depth analysis. He is highly respec= ted by our school district and medical professionals we’ve worked with.̶= 1;

Adult Day Services=

Aspire of Illinois – 1815 S W= olf Rd., Hillside -708-236-0989 – www.aspi= reofillinois.org

Provides day services, center based services, older adult services and residential services

Drop In Center – Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W Jackson Ave., Naperville – 630-681-0962<= /o:p>

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association= and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offer a drop in center for adults with mental disabilities. It is a weekly program from 6-9 p.= m. Participants gather for dinner and to participate in activities. Visiting artists come to teach a v= ariety of art techniques. Contact WD= SRA for more information.

Rec and Roll program – Sportsman’s Club, Naperville – 630-681-0962 - Western DuPage Special Recreation Association= - serves Teens and Adults 18 & older and runs Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You choose the number of days that fit your schedule and budget. This program was developed several= years ago out of requests from the DuPage Transition Planning Council among other= s, in an attempt to drive local communities into meeting the critically underserved needs of the adult population with developmental disabilities.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> It’s expensive. This is a recreation-based program= emphasizing service projects, music, field trips, current events, outdoor recreation, swimming, gardening, walking community trips, arts and crafts, and games. Thursdays and Fridays are community trips requiring additional money. Participants must be able to funct= ion in a 1:4 staffing ratio and perform their own daily living skills. See the WDSRA program guide for cu= rrent prices and registration information.

Audiologists

Audiologic= al Services – 386 Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn – 630-858-3277

Auditory Services Inc. – 950 York Rd. #109, Hinsdale – 630-654-1391=

Auditory Services Inc. – 420 Medical Center Dr., #110, Bolingbrook – 630-759-0065

Central Auditory Processing Evaluat= ion and Treatment, Jeanane Ferre, PhD – 1010 Lake St., Ste 111, Oak Park = –jmfpdh@aol.com - 708-848-4363

Hearing Care Clinic – 6800 Ma= in, Downers Grove – 630-963-6161 www.theh= earingcareclinic.com

The Hearing Center – 1034 War= ren Ave., Downers Grove – 630-852-7325 www.thcd= g.com

Hearing Health Center – Centr= al DuPage Hospital Medical Bldg, Naperville – 630-369-8878

Dr. Willard Hooks, Jr. PhD, CCC-A/S= LP – 1020 E Ogden Ave., Ste 212, Naperville – 630-305-8288 –= otoling@mac.com - http://web.mac.com/otoling

Auditory Services include auditory processing disorder evaluation, hearing evaluation for hearing sensitivity, speech reception and discrimination, middle ear function and cochlear hair = cell function and Cochlear implants. Dr. Hooks has experience working with children on the autism spectrum.

Midwest Ear Nose and Throat – 4050 Healthway Dr., Ste. 225, Aurora – 630-820-8653

Sertoma Sp= eech and Hearing Center – Romeoville – 630-633-5060

www.sertomacenter.org

Babysitting=

Sitter City – Enter your requirements and wait for sitters to come to you or look= up sitter profiles for those who will watch special needs children. There are many more who can also w= atch a child with an autism spectrum disorder but do not have that specifically li= sted in their profile. When you si= gn up for this monthly service use the promo code AUTISM to receive $10 off your registration fee. A few of our members have used this service, put autism in their requirements and have received pretty fast replies from area sitters.

Mommy Time – F= eel like trading some babysitting time? This website is a place where moms can go to find and exchange free childcare. Mommy Time extends= a welcome on their home page to moms with special needs children. Monthly fee.

Also consi= der contacting your local college for posting requests for babysitting services= .

Behavior Consultant

Lisa Hoeme - director of Imagine A Child’s Capacity, a WI educational and family consulting ser= vice who can help try to make a match of consultants in your Illinois area - lhoeme@icc-wi.org.

C.H.I.L.D. LLC (Crystal Held: Interventions for Learning and Development) – 262-370-6964 – dcheld@juno.com - for Chicago suburbs or Rockford area

Provides consultation to families w= ith children diagnosed with autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger’s Syndrome. Treatment strategies are based on = the work of Dr. Ivar Lovaas and the principles of ABA. Other strategies that are utilized= when appropriate include PECS, social skills training, natural environment train= ing, verbal behavior and play therapy. Crystal Held has worked with ASD children for 13 years. She completed an internship at UCL= A with Dr. Lovaas and his staff and worked as the Clinical Director at the Wiscons= in Early Autism Project and Illinois Early Autism Project. Her philosophy is that therapy mus= t be fun in order to maximize a child’s learning experience.

Little Friends Center for Autism – 140 N Wright St., Naperville – 630-305-6039

Jenny Pota= nos, Autism Consultant – 630-510-8021 – jpotanos= @speakeasy.net

Birthday Parties

Possible suggestions for your child’s unique interests:

Absolutely Entertainment – 630-279-5088

Has costumed characters that can co= me to your home party including: Spiderman, Winnie the Pooh, Woody and Buzz, E= lmo, Spongebob and Dora.

Amazing Adamz – 630-416-4318=

Magician t= hat comes to your home

Amazing Animals by Samantha – 773-549-= 3357

Meet raccoons that shoot basketball= s, Sebastian the hoop jumping cat, Dexter Duck on guitar, Garfield Goose who p= lays piano and the world famous Acrorats. As seen on CNN, Discovery, WGN, MTV and the Tonight Show<= /span>

Bob James Magic Shop – 131 W First St., Elmhurst – 630-833-8749

Magic workshop and pizza party or h= ire a professional magician to your home.

Boozle B’s – 119^th and Route 59, Plainfield – 815-609-3855

Has video games and movies that children can play while they are getting their haircut. The facility has a cute circular b= ike that kids can ride. Birthday parties available for boys (extreme hair color and video game competitions)= and girls (rock star diva, princess, Hollywood starlet and glamour parties)

The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor R= 11; 7314 W Madison St., Forest Park – 708-366-7970

Cereality Cereal Bar and Café – 1622 Sherman Ave., Evanston, 100 S Wacker, Chicago – 847-864-4400

Your choice of cold or hot cereal a= nd toppings, games with prizes and activities including My Cereal, My Way box decorating activity.

Choo Choo’s – 2115 Galena Blvd., Aurora

This restaurant delivers your food = via a model train. There is also a party room for birthdays.

Fo= deo Fun Movie Birthday Parties – 1504 N Naper Blvd., Naperville 630-245-1112 – 6690 Joliet Rd., Countryside – 708-784-1112=

Guests create and star in their own movie, Fodeo edits in exciting backgrounds and special effects. Each guest receives an action-pack= ed coy of the DVD.

Franceska’s Marionettes ̵= 1; Children’s demonstration with marionettes, Q&A after every show &= #8211; 630-833-3862

Fun Bus – www.funbuses.com – 630-428-4FUN – for ages 2-7, climate controlled, year round fitness f= un

Hershey’s Chicago –= ; 822 N Michigan Ave., Chicago – 312-337-7711

Hershey’s factory worker experience, personalized cupcakes, party favors, etc.

Jump Zone – 9951 W 190^=
th St., Mokena – 708-978-1229

Gigantic themed inflatables and pri= vate decorated party rooms. Walk i= n play times Wed-Fri – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Family Fun Night on Thurs. R= 11; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kid’s Kitchen – 1603 N Aurora Rd., Naperville – 630-983-FOOD

Choose a party package, decide on a cooking theme and have fun. M= ake cupcakes, pizza, cookies or something special.

Learning Curve Toys – Thomas the Tank Engine Birthday Party – 17W504 22^nd St., Oakbrook Terrace – 630-833-1000

Play on the world’s largest p= lay table, build humongous layouts

Lights, Camera, Birthday! – 630-415-2752 – littleradioproductions@comcast.net

We use the latest non-linear editing system to record, edit, score and master pre-scripted movie shorts that your child and all their birthday guests star in.

Mad Science – North, Cook and Lake – 847-374-1212

Mad Science – DuPage, Will and South Cook – 630-393-3322<= /p>

Mad Science – McHenry – 815-444-1144

Mad Science – Chicago – 773-227-3345

Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpa= rk – 624 N York Rd., Elmhurst – 877-H20-4FUN

Enjoy a birthday part at the indoor waterpark of Holiday Inn in Elmhurst. Includes giant water slides, lazy river, family activity pool and arcade, food, cake, party room and more.

Naper Settlement – 523 S Webs= ter St., Naperville – 630-420-6010 www.nape= rsettlement.museum

Explore the 13 acre historic museum village for a unique twist to your special event or group activity.

Noah’= ;s Ark Animal Stuff-N-Fluff traveling workshop

Western suburbs – Diana Turner – 630-870-9032

Southern suburbs – Natalie Li= ght – 708-388-3803

Southern suburbs – Christina Wright – 815-254-8346

Northwest suburbs – Jodi Gilbert – 847-259-8746

Northwest suburbs – Laura Fis= hman – 847-458-1849

North Shore – Marcy Fortnow – 847-681-9019

North Shore – Jenn Kiddle = 211; 847-668-5664

Northern area suburbs – Carrie Merchant – 847-838-5881

Northern area suburbs – Laury Kossoff – 847-767-6637

Pump It Up – 4995 Varsity Dr., Lisle – 630-435-JUMP

This facility contains giant inflatables for your child to bounce around. Usually reserved for parties only = but they offer open jump times for families.&n= bsp; Call for more information.

Sarah̵= 7;s Pony Rides – 630-802-1316

Ponies brought to you for any occas= ion, any location

Teddy’s on the Move ̵= 1; 630-540-0268

A mobile interactive bear stuffing party with an 18 foot heated and air conditioned trailer

<= /a>Chiropractor

Advanced Chiropractic – 360 E Ir= ving Park Rd., Roselle – 630-894-8778

Advanced Chiropractic – 40W310 LaFox Rd., 1A, St. Charles – 630-444-0078

Non-invasive approach to improve se= nsory function for individuals with ASD, PDD and Sensory Processing Disorder. Also works to restore normal function in cases of bed wetting. The Role= of Chiropractic in the Care of Children with Autism – Biomecha= nical Approach for the Improvement of Sensory, Motor and Neurological Function in Individuals with ASD

Church<= /p>

Allelulia Lutheran Church - corner of Book and 103rd Streets, Naperville

Have a parent support group of church members with children of special needs.

Church of Latter Day Saints - 95th Street, between Book and Naper-Plainfield, Naperville

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ̵= 1; 1310 Shepherd Dr., Naperville – 630-961-9220

No program in place, but parents are welcome to stay and assist their child within the religious ed classroom.

Holy Spirit Catholic Community R= 11; 2003 Hassert Blvd (111^th St), Naperville, SW corner of Book Rd. = and Hassert Blvd. – 630-922-0081- cbswanso= n@juno.com

The church has its own Special Needs Coordinator, Cindi Swanson, whose job is to support kids with special needs= in regular ed religion classes plus provide support to families and people acr= oss the lifespan with disabilities to help assure full participation in church life. All religious ed classes take place in catechists’ homes with two instructors per class. Children who have high= er needs are part of the “Beacons” ministry. In Beacons, volunteers support one= child in a regular class. Parents w= ith special needs children also have the opportunity to sign up for classes a d= ay earlier than regular ed children to ensure they get into a class. The church also offers four special needs training workshops per year.

St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church – 36 N Ellsworth St., Naperville – Mary, RE office – 630-357-2436

Religious ed program meets on Satur= days from Sept. to May. Kindergart= en thru 25 yrs old with all different abilities. The classroom has eight assistants= . There is no cost to the program an= d you don’t have to be a member of the parish. Handicapped accessible.=

St. Raphael Catholic Church – 1215 Modaff Rd., Naperville –630-355-4545

REACH Program

Wheatland Salem United Methodist Ch= urch – 1852 95^th St., Naperville – 630-904-1035

One-to-one aides are available for children who need assistance to attend Sunday school and youth groups of Pioneer Club.

Clubs/Hobbies

Chess R= 11; Illinois chess club list

Gardening – Garden Clubs of Illinois

Gems and minerals – List of = Gem and Mineral clubs

Geocaching – Illinois Geocaching<= /a>

Kite Flying – Illinois Kite Enthusiasts Club

Radio controlled planes – List of R/C fly= er clubs

Silent Order of Aeromodeling by Radi= o (SOAR) - Chicago

Robotics – Central Illinois Robotics Club

Table Tenn= is – List of table tennis clubs

Trains = 211; List of railroad, garden railroad and model railroad groups

Trains = 211; Mo= del railroad clubs and museums

Trains – Chicago Area Garden Railroad Society

Trains - Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club

Trains – Illinois Live Steamers – If you have a teen or adult that is really into trains, this is the club to try and get into. Somewhere in Will County (the group is secretive about their locatio= n) they have a private orchard with large-scale model trains that adults can r= ide, run their trains and practice machinists’ skills. This is a private club with probat= ionary members 21 or older and junior members between 12 and 21. Full members must be voted in. Many of the 100 members are retire= es who love trains and enjoy talking about them.&= nbsp; Check the website for photos and more info.

Treasure Hunting – Illinois & Iowa Treasure Hunters Club (metal detecting)

= Counseling

Brian King, LCSW – One Energy Center, 40 Shuman Blvd., Ste 160, Napervi= lle – 630-778-3447 – brian= lcsw@comcast.net

In addition to office visits, Brian does phone coaching and has a monthly social skills group for teenagers. He has a sliding fee scale for tho= se without insurance or insurance that does not cover those services. In addition, Brian has created Camp ASPIES, customized social skills training based on the needs of your child = aged first grade or older.

Little Friends Center for Autism – 140 N Wright St., Naperville – 630-305-6039

NCO Youth and Family Services – 1305 W Oswego Rd., Naperville – 630-357-LOVE – 630-961-2992 x226

Provides counseling for individuals, families and couples, 24 hour crisis intervention, early intervention and prevention, parent mentor program, Cornerstone Group home, transitional hou= sing program and information and referral services.

Oakhill Wellness and Counseling Cen= ter – 1112 S Washington St., Ste 112, Naperville – 630-717-9858

Provides counseling services and education to individuals (children, adolescents and adults), couples and families. Oakhill also offers sibling support groups for children having a brother/sister with a disabili= ty.

Day Schools

You must be referred by the school district for these day schools. Upon approval the tuition will be paid through the school district.<= o:p>

Alexand= er Leigh Center for Autism – 847-770-3699 – info@alexanderleighcenterforautism

Year round therapeutic day school f= or ASD children between the ages of 5 and 10.

Bridge High School= – 630-964-1722

Through Li= ttle Friends, services students ages 14 to 21

Chicago School = for Special Education – 1375 Remington Rd., Suites ABCD, Schaumburg – 847-884-7030

Special education facility that ser= ves children with ASD, PDD-NOS, emotional/behavioral disorders, specifical lear= ning disabilities, developmental disabilities and other health impairments. Using the standards of ABA and ver= bal behavior, while also incorporating social and relationship development, the Chicago School for Special Education offers year round 1:1 student to teach= er instruction.

Easter S= eals Therapeutic Day Schools – in Chica= go and Tinley Park

For childr= en aged 3 to 21

Wendy Murphy, Program Mgr, Chicago – 312-432-1751 – wmurphy@= eastersealschicago.org

Karen Eisenbart, Program Mgr, Tinley Park – 708-802-9050 – keisenba= rt@eastersealschicago.org

<= /p>

Helping = Hand School for Children with Autism – Countryside – 708-352-3580

For children aged 3 to 21

<= /p>

JCB Therapeutic Day School