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- Action Advokids
Cindy L. Asselstine
612 Bayview Point
Schaumburg, 60194
(847) 882-1225
Cook County
email: addvokids@wowway.com
Asselstine has 11 years experience. She provides advocacy services for parents of children with special needs, such as review of school records, recommendations for school programs, available to attend school meetings, IEP development and parent advocacy training.
Insurance not accepted.
Cost: $300 (consultation fee).
Cost: $75 (hourly fee).
Payment plans available. Get more information. about fee schedule.
No wait list.
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"The ADA In Your Community" Survey
How do people with disabilities rate their community's implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act? To find out this answer, The Illinois ADA Project, in conjunction with the DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center is conducting a Survey. People with disabilities, their family members, and their advocates are invited to complete the ADA Survey so that your voices are heard when accessibility issues are being addressed in your communities. Print copies and alternative formats are available upon request. To request the ADA Survey in an alternative format, or for additional information, contact Alan Goldstein by phone: (312) 341-0022 or email: alan@equipforequality.org.
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Advanced Case Management, Ltd.
Catherine J. Oliver, RN, C, MSN
1951 Merritt Lane
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(847) 615-9410
Lake County
email: cjo@interaccess.com
Provides advocacy services which include risk assessment, IEP development, review and explanation of records, care coordination, parent education, medication management, problem solving and exploration of treatment options.
Ages: birth and up.
Insurance not accepted.
Cost: call for fee schedule.
No wait list.
- The Answer, Inc.
Provides support, resources, education, recreation and advocacy for parents and caregivers of people in the autism spectrum.
- Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE)
Asperger's syndrome is AANE's primary focus; they also offer support and services to individuals with similar neurological conditions, such as high functioning autism (HFA), PDD-NOS, and non-verbal learning disability (NVLD/NLD).
- Asperger Syndrome Education Network - ASPEN
This national organization provides families and individuals whose lives are affected by autism spectrum disorders and nonverbal learning disabilities with education about the issues, support and advocacy.
- Autism Society of America
Provides the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
- Autism Society of Illinois
ASI is a statewide chapter of the Autism Society of America. Their online Autism Resources Directory provides links to organizations for assistance, advocacy, education, and support related to autism spectrum disorders. Their mission is to improve the lives of Illinois individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders. For more information, call (630) 691-1270 or toll free at (866) 691-5553.
- Autism Speaks
Organization dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raise public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bring hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.
- Belle Center of Chicago
Susan Karr, program director
1754 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-7868
Cook County
email: susan@bellecenter-chicago.org
Advocacy work includes participating in a four-hour individualized education plan meeting at a Chicago public school. Staff participates in the development of annual goals, the identification of modifications and accommodations, and work to help ensure that children receive the LRE placement and supports to which they are entitled. Learn more.
Ages: 3-16.
Cost: call for fee schedule.
No wait list.
- CafeMom
The largest online community for women created for parents of autistic children. In addition to the typical symptoms, treatments, and advice most guides have, they are interviewing parents of autistic children to get their real world stories in an effort to help parents who are just finding out about the ups and downs of parenting an autistic child.
- Chicago Public Schools
Office of Special Education and Supports
Web site designed to provide resources and information for parents, students, schools and community members to promote the success of all students with disabilities who attend Chicago Public Schools. Many parent resources. Browse through more than 100 pages of free printable items suitable for task creation.
- Connect 4 Success
Brian R. King, LCSW, has created a web site where you can find his articles as well the latest articles from around the Web. King will also post quotes to stimulate supportive and educational dialogue.
- Countryside Association
Advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities and their families and to support them in their efforts to live and work successfully in their chosen community. Programs and services offered include work and training centers, developmental training, supported employment, client and family support, in-home respite and contracted production services.
- DisabilityGoTo, Inc.
Provides phone or off-site consultation, planning, advocacy services, and support assistance to organizations serving people with disabilities and individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
- From Advocacy to Action
Pam Labellarte, special education advocate
Law Office of Charles P. Fox
3710 Commercial Ave., Suite 6
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-9897
Lake County
email: spedadvocate@earthlink.net
Special education advocate and parent of two children with a disability. Provides the educational/transition process. Services include: education, peer counseling, 504 plan multiple disciplinary conference (MDC-3 year evaluation, manifestation determination-discipline and mediation).
Cost: Get more information about fee schedule.
No wait list.
- Good Shepherd Center for Exceptional Children
17314 Kedzie
Hazelcrest, IL 60429
(708) 335-0020, ext. 22
Cook County
Provides advocacy coaching, community outreach - local voice on legislation that affects families and children in Illinois and ongoing DCFS approved training.
- Illinois Council of Developmental Disabilities
The council's work is carried out across the state through a network of advocates that educates the public on system issues while encouraging change. ICDD listens to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by investing in new programs to improve the delivery of services and supports they deserve.
- Illinois Life Span Project of The Arc of Illinois
Contact Person: Mike Kaminsky
20901 S. LaGrange Road, 2nd floor
Frankfort, IL 60423
(800) 588-7002 or (815) 464-1832
Will County
email: mike@illinoislifespan.org
Provides information on advocacy, supports, and services, searchable by service type and county to people with disabilities and their families statewide. They do not provide direct services of any kind — they are an information and referral resource. Families that do not have internet access or those who are unable to locate the information for which they are searching can call for assistance. There is no charge to users or providers listed on the ILS site.
- Illinois Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
Provides reliable information and support. State Yellow Pages: Provides many useful resources, evaluators, educational consultants, academic tutors, support groups, grassroots organizations, advocates, attorneys and others who help parents get services for their children in your state.
- JJ's List
Website designed for people with disabilities to review businesses and services that are committed to serving people with disabilities in a welcoming, flexible and respectful way so that they can become an integral and natural part of community life. Website was designed, developed and tested by people with disabilities.
- Maximum Potential Autism Directory for Illinois
Directory for advocates in Illinois.
- MedicClaim Consultants, LLC
Gail Borgerd
1716A Pickwick Lane
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 657-1157
email: help@medicclaim.com
Provides help to individuals and businesses to secure maximum benefit from your health insurance. MedicClaim was founded in 1998 and to date has assisted hundreds of families.
Cost: call for rates.
- National Autism Association
Web site created to educate and empower families affected by autism and other neurological disorders, while advocating on behalf of those who cannot fight for their own rights. Two important grant-funded programs are Family First and Helping Hand. Visit the website for applications and for the location of statewide chapters and the Find a Friend program.
- Our Amazing Kids
This is a local free, on-line support group for parents and educators of a child with a disability. Monthly meetings are planned for kids and then others for adults only. Please use the board to start discussions, post questions and events. Your posts will be automatically sent to all members unless emailing someone directly. They also have a calendar to post events with reminders. Suggestions are welcomed.
- Pay It Forward For Autism (PIFFA)
Provides peer support and networking for children with autism and their families.
- A Place for Me
Agency offers various services that include initial and on-going consultative support, training and resources.
- Protected Tomorrows
Advocacy firm that enhances the lives of people with special needs through a comprehensive life planning process in the following areas: education, residential, financial, legal, health care, government benefits, employment and recreation.
- PURE (Parents United for Responsible Education)
Builds support for and enhance the quality of public education in the city of Chicago by informing parents about educational issues, bringing the views of parents into the decision-making process, and acting as an advocate for parents in their relationships with the school administration.
- RAMP
Local service provider for students with disabilities and their families.
- Self Advocacy Council of Northern Illinois
Support group for youths and adults with disabilities and the people that support them. Some topics planned are: self-directed IEP and transition plans, scheduling "Self Advocacy 101" workshop presentation, voting rights and how to affect legislation, social security and employment rights, the right to live in your own community, inclusion in education, recreation and the community, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act. Group meets on the second Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. For additional information, RSVP or email: mgolden@sacni.org.
- Special Ed Advocacy Center
Provides free legal representation to low-income parents and caregivers of children with disabilities seeking to obtain appropriate educational and early intervention services for their child. SEAC seeks to educate parents, caregivers and school personnel concerning their rights and responsibilities under current special education law. Download brochure or call (847) 736-8286.
- Transition Tool Kit
Provided by Autism Speaks, Family Services. Tool kit serves as a guide that can provide you with options to think about and explore as you and your adolescent with autism begin to plan for adulthood. The kit is broken down into different sections. At the end of each section, resources are provided specific to that section, as well as forms to help you keep track of the many pieces that constitute a transition plan. Since the transition process is different in each state, they have developed timelines for each state, with state agency information that may be helpful to you throughout the process. Download free tool kit.
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
Information for travelers with disabilities - TSA now provides a Passenger Support Specialists (PSS) to help them get through Chicago Midway International Airport. The PSS provides assistance to wounded warriors and people with disabilities.
- VOICE-Advocacy
Provides support, training, and advocacy services for families of children with special needs in school settings and beyond. Organization will assist you with your special education advocacy needs and provide training.
- Wrightslaw
Provides accurate and reliable information about special education law, education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
Tell Us About Your Experience
Using the Autism Resource Center's Web Site
Our mission at the Autism Resource Center is to assist you in finding appropriate services for your child. Your feedback will help us continue to provide such assistance, or guide us in serving you better. We'd like to ask you to take a just a few minutes to answer a brief survey. Take the survey.
Although our website includes links providing direct access to other Internet sites, the Autism Resource Center at Rush University takes no responsibility for the content or information contained on those other sites, and does not exert any editorial or other control over those other sites.
The information on this website is provided for general reference purposes. It does not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician. Only a qualified, licensed physician can determine the individual treatment that is appropriate for your particular circumstances. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a physician. Inclusion of information on this website does not constitute an endorsement of views, persons, methodologies or products. The health care providers whose information is available on the website are not necessarily the agents or employees of Rush University Medical Center. In consideration for use of this website, Rush University Medical Center or any other party involved in producing or delivering this website will not be liable to you for any action or nonaction that you take in reliance upon the information provided on this website.
Autism is a complex disorder. Our website provides information and resources for families with a child with autism. If you feel your child is experiencing behavior and/or symptoms that may be associated with autistic spectrum disorders, please contact your pediatrician or a licensed physician. A comprehensive evaluation may be needed from a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist and other professionals.
The Autism Resource Center’s referral and resource list is not an all-inclusive list and is subject to change. Each day the team will be adding new resources and building to our website. If you have trouble finding a referral within your area, we encourage you to call (312) 563-2272 for further information. We hope that you visit our Web site again for any future referrals.
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