Training Resources for Autism Caregivers

AARTS (autism) Center at Rush - Monthly Newsletter

The AARTS Center at Rush sends out a monthly newsletter that typically includes events (i.e. free fairs, support groups, research opportunities, parent training, etc.) going on in the Chicagoland area. 


Advanced Behavioral Solutions (ABS)

953 N. Plum Grove Road, Suite B Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 413-9001
advancedbehavioral@msn.com

Provides organizational consultation and workshops to determine your organization's needs, conduct all preparatory data gathering, customize a workshop based on training goals, and deliver the workshop to your organization members. The staff has devised a number of these workshops for organizations in the past and is ready to help improve the functioning of your staff. Offers education/school consults to teachers on topics such as classroom behavior management, working with resistant staff or parents, DSM diagnoses (e.g. ASD/PDD spectrum) and the school's role. Presentations to PTA/PTO groups on topics including: psychological diagnosis and treatment planning, tips for increasing home-school collaboration, managing stress. Offers administrative training such as stress inoculation, time management and increasing staff cohesion.

ABS also offers free seminars, open to the public on issues from improving relationships to advocating for your child in the schools. Staff members will share their expertise with you in an educational, interactive forum. They are always updating their list of projected seminar topics and ask that you call to reserve a seat, as space is limited.


Ask Educational Consultation

Kelly Swindler
swindlerkelly@gmail.com
614-499-6402
Chicago and Chicagoland Areas

Provides individual behavioral consultation and parent education to promote independence, academic success, behavioral modifications and parent/nanny coaching using the methodologies of applied behavior analysis. 


Aspire Kids

Robin Schroud, associate director of inclusion & community initiatives
3223 W. Montrose Ave Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 878-7868 ext. 3223 
Cook County

Staff members are available to come to your school, camp or community program to provide information and training that can assist in the inclusion of children with disabilities at your site. Some workshops include: language facilitation techniques, fine motor skills and development, practical classroom strategies for sensory integration difficulties, and more. Most workshops can be modified into two-parts to accommodate schedules. 


The Autism Center for Excellence at Giant Steps Illinois 

First Responders Training
2500 Cabot Drive Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 455-5730

Program's goal is to educate emergency first responders on how to identify and work with an individual living with autism. Program follows a train-the-trainer model where selected first responders (trainers) attend the training and train their colleagues at a later date. In addition, because this program takes place in a school for children with autism, the trainers actually gain experience interaction with someone living with autism, as students and staff are part of the program.


Autism Training Solutions

Treasure Rousselo, business development consultant
2800 Woodlawn Drive, Suite 175 Honolulu, HI 96822
(810) 923-2363
email: treasure@advancedtrainingsolutions.com

An online education company dedicated to training professionals and paraprofessionals within the field of autism and related behavioral disabilities. Through unique partnerships with service providers, schools and families, they are able to film real children, across the spectrum, receiving evidence-based interventions within their natural environments. By combining these interactive videos with online staff assessments and supervision, they have created a dynamic approach for staff training that has improved organizational training operations and created new success stories in the field.


BASES Autism Services

630-999-9227
mgmt@basesgroupinc.com
Clinic location: 901 Biesterfield, Suite 110, Elk Grove Village
In-home geographic area: Serving the Chicagoland area including Cook, Will, DuPage, Lake, and Kane counties.

Parent coaching and support is provided, with Safety Care for Families™ training available upon request. Social work and case management services provided to families served.  Services are available in Spanish, Urdu, and Arabic.


BGF Performance Systems, LLC

Nicole Cissell, BCBA
5454 N. Bernard St., Chicago, IL 60625
312-806-7937
nicole@bgfperformance.com

BGF Performance Systems provides ABA therapy services for children and adults diagnosed with autism and related conditions. Programming focuses on effectively and efficiently increasing appropriate behaviors (including academic skills) while decreasing inappropriate behaviors. Board-certified behavior analysts will train therapists to conduct one-on-one therapy for your child in your home. Parent training is also available.


Bridges for Autism Foundation 

Marcia Biordi-Brown
P.O. Box 102 Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 444-0019
bridgeautism@aol.com

Provides education to professionals such as medical personnel, educators and providers, as well as parents and the general public. They collaborate with special education districts in the community creating unique and specialized programs.


Brighthouse Diagnostics and Treatment Center

2919 N. Southport Ave., Unit 1 Chicago, IL 60657
773-799-8939
sairakhan@brighthousecenter.com
aprilhall@brighthousecenter.com

Brighthouse provides specialized services to individuals between the ages of 2 and 18 who present with neurodevelopmental, social-emotional, and behavioral challenges. Services include diagnostic evaluations, individual psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, social skills groups and parent workshops. Bilingual (Eng/Spanish) providers. 


Celebrate Differences

Rebecca Christiansen
2758B Route 34, Suite 327 Oswego, IL 60543
(630) 885-3006
info@celebratedifferences.org

Provides educational workshops and training throughout the year on various topics to educate parents and professionals to better meet a child's needs at home, in school and in the community. Parents and professionals will also receive information on and referrals to local resources for children with special needs.


Chicago Spectrum Solutions 

Cindy Johnstone
Home-based services for the greater Chicagoland area
(617) 835-1174
info@chicagospectrumsolutions.com

We teach parents how to teach their children skills at home and walk them through step-by-step instructions on activities and tasks that they can lead at home. If parents are struggling with a specific household issue regarding their child, C.S.S. creates a personalized system to address that issue and teaches the parents how to confront, handle and implement the plan that will address that issue. Ages: 3-9 years.


Connect to Community

Connect to Community is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding and facilitating purposeful employment and enjoyment for adults with developmental disabilities. Further, in an effort to help these adults live the lives they desire and deserve within the community, we will provide person-centered services across all aspects of community life. Upcoming events here


Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley 

Diagnostic Services: 630.261.6287 or mscholtes@eastersealsdfvr.org
All other services (English):  630.282.2022
Spanish services or if you live in Hanover Township:  847.742.3264
Center locations: Villa Park, Naperville, and Elgin. 

Easterseals Autism Services include Behavior therapy, Feeding Therapy, Speech Therapy, Assistive Technology Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Nutritional therapy.  Additionally, they offer diagnostic evaluations, parent training and parent/sibling support groups. Serving children birth – 18. Some Medicaid plans accepted, as well as sliding scale; insurance information here.


Guiding Behavior Counseling, LLC

(773) 726-4832
info@guidingbehavior.com

Provides children and adults in-home and community services around the Chicago and Chicagoland areas including behavior support, individual, sibling and family counseling, executive skills development, life skills coaching, and behavioral therapy. Some commercial and Medicare plans accepted. 


JCARES Domestic Abuse Prevention and Education

855-ASK-JCFS (855-275-5237)
ask@jcfs.org

JCARES is a diverse coalition that educates, advocates and collaborates to promote innovative policies and practices addressing abuse across the Jewish community and beyond. Rooted in Jewish values and empowered by the combined strength of coalition members, JCARES is a catalyst for systemic change that supports healthy relationships, homes and communities. Community Workshops have covered topics from Elder Abuse to the Connection between Addiction and Domestic Violence and more. CEU’s and CPDU’s available.


Response

9304 N. Skokie Blvd. Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 676-0078 or (855) ASK-JCFS (855-275-5237)
responseCounseling@jcfs.org

Response helps adolescents in the Jewish and general community develop skills in communication, decision-making and leadership necessary to deal with life’s challenges. Response’s community outreach, prevention and education workshops provide experiential, prevention-based education to teens, professionals and parents, offering participants the opportunity to learn more about current topics impacting tweens, teens and those who work with or parent them. Parent and teen education and support groups also available.


Support Waiver for Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Provides training and counseling services for unpaid caregivers


Supported Community Living Initiative

855-ASK-JCFS (855-275-5237)

The Supported Community Living Initiative for people with disabilities and their families is a grassroots movement, guided by Keshet, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Jewish Child & Family Services, exploring a sustainable, community integrated future for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Town Hall Meetings cover topics from legislative issues and effective models in other cities and a strong corps of volunteers is helping to frame the need and action steps for the future.


Easterseals 

Illinois Autism Partnership
4415 W. Harrison Street, Suite 311  Hillside, IL 60162
(312) 491-4116
IAP@eastersealschicago.org 

Illinois Autism Partnership provides Individualized coaching, consulting, family engagement and training programs offering school districts a wide-range of options. Training packages include focus family support, experiential practicums, in-services and workshops, as well as online webinar courses.


Eb Pediatric Resources

3712 N. Broadway Ave., Suite 250 Chicago, IL 60613
(312) 458-9865

Provides home or center-based parent/sibling training services on specific autism topics and other developmental disabilities.


Family Matters

Parent Training & Information Center
Lincolnland Building - 1901 S. 4th St., Suite 209 Effingham, IL 62401
(866) 436-7842
info@fmptic.org

Family Matters supplies information and free training for parents and professionals who provide special education and related services to children with disabilities. Topics include: special education rights and responsibilities, IEP planning and participation, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, No Child Left Behind, alternate assessments, behavior and discipline, parent/school collaboration, conflict resolution, transition from early intervention to early childhood services and others.


Family Resource Center on Disabilities

Training & Upcoming Events
20 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 939.3513


KGH Autism Services

(224) 326-2206
intake@kghautismservices.com
1161 Lake Cook Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015

Specializing in developmental-based ABA therapy (NDBI, ESDM) for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with ASD, in the home or at their specialized center. Providing therapeutic preschool and kindergarten, SLP, OT, mental health, parent training, sibling support, social groups, community support, significant problematic behavior support (FA) from early childhood through young adulthood. KGH also offers a Teen & Young Adult Center with a teaching apartment for teaching life skills. Serving Chicagoland, North Shore, West Suburbs, Northwest Suburbs, and Far North Suburbs. KGH has been supporting children and families for over 19 years.


Little Friends Center for Autism, Inc.

140 N. Wright St. Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 281-1895

Provides training for parents and professionals.  Training topics include: adult core autism training for adult providers, high school staff and parents; understanding autism spectrum disorders and latest treatment strategies; positive proactive programming and strategies for individuals with behavior problems; discrete trial; visual strategies; communicative functions of behavior; communication training; characteristics and behavioral issues in individuals with autism; parent's perspective; walk in my autism; structured teaching (TEACCH); organizational supports for high-functioning autism; and sensory processing.


Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes

Sierra Skelton, center director
137 N. Oak Park Ave., Suite 212 Oak Park, IL
(708) 660-1860
chicago.center@lindamoodbell.com

Second location in Deerfield, IL

Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes provides on-site workshops, live video conference workshops, and comprehensive school/district partnerships for phoneme awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, orthography, writing, critical thinking and math. Learn more about workshops.


MGB Services, Inc

Maria Bellantuono, LCPC
2625 Butterfield Rd, Suite 1385. Oakbrook IL
Additional location in Arlington Heights
847-701-4409
mariab@mgbservices.org

Provides individual and group therapy, parent training, and family consultation and coaching to individuals with ASD, Intellectual and developmental disorders across the lifespan.


Positive Behavioral Connections, Inc.

907 N. Main St. Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 495-3441
emily@connectingbehavior.com

Provides hands-on staff training education and training in human service settings including pre-schools, Sunday schools and day care centers to help maintain and improve a high level of staff performance. Also provides workshops tailored to families, professionals and educational organizations. Topics include: behavior basics, functional behavior assessments, implementing positive programming for behavioral concerns, Asperger syndrome, autism, sensory processing and verbal behavior.


Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays (RCADD)

University of Illinois Chicago campus: 1640 W Roosevelt Road. (expected opening fall 2023) 

The Resource Center shares resources, referral information and trainings for families and educators of children with developmental disabilities. In-person location temporarily closed. Stay up-to-date with virtual resources on RCADD's Facebook page.


REST (Respite Education & Support Tools)

Lisa Esposito, REST Coordinator (630) 397-5656lesposito@restprogram.org
Jenna Olznoi, IL REST Statewide Coordinator (630) 397-5662jolznoi@restprogram.org
Marklund Day School - Ann Haskins Center
164 S. Prairie Ave. Bloomingdale, IL 60108

REST is a unique, interactive training program, where you will receive the education and tools needed to be confident and successful in providing respite care to adults and children.


Safety-Care® Crisis Prevention Training

Safety-Care is more than crisis management training; it provides the skills and competencies necessary to effectively prevent, minimize, and manage behavioral challenges with dignity, safety, and the possibility of change.


Scenario Learning

Kam Hau
2135 Dana Ave, Suite 300 Cincinnati, OH 45207
khau@scenariolearning.com

New online professional development system that makes training easier for all educators who support students with exceptionalities. Find evidence-based, special education-related training on ADHD, autism, behavior, IEPs, transition, special education law and more. Every multimedia-rich course is written by one of the nation’s leading experts and includes interventions; author and practitioner interviews; and scenarios that bring the content to life.


Tuesday's Child

3633 N. California Ave Chicago, Il 60618
(773) 423-5055
kconklin@tuesdayschildchicago.org

Parents work on individualized behavioral and goal planning activities, with group sessions led by a clinical psychologist and individual time with trained peer mentors. While parents are in session children are placed in the child center which uses the same developmentally appropriate, behavior management strategies taught to parents. 


University of Illinois Chicago Cognitive Behavior and Mindfulness Clinic

1640 W. Roosevelt Rd, 103 DHSP, Chicago, IL 60608
achast2@uic.edu
312-996-7988

The Cognition Behavior and Mindfulness (CBM) Clinic is a multidisciplinary research, training and clinical program that provides high quality evidence-based behavior intervention services to children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. They tailor individualized treatment plans for all their clients so they can improve independence in areas that are important to them. Clinical services include four distinct programs: Language and Cognition Program, Mindfulness and Acceptance Program, Complex Behavior Program, and Caregiver Training and Consultation Program. Services are delivered one-on-one, in group settings and via telehealth.


WEE Speech, PC 

Julie Levin, speech pathologist
8833 Gross Point Road Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 329-8226
office@weespeech.com

Provides continuing education workshops and educational advocacy pertaining to children with special needs (ages 0 - 18) and their families.  Funded through EI, insurance or private pay.