AERO Special Education Cooperative
7600 S. Mason Ave., Burbank, IL 60459
Phone: (708) 496-3330
Provides special education programming for 12 school districts and provides a number of related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech services, social work, assistive technology and school nurses.
Autism Home Support Services - Early Learners Group
Locations in Northbrook, Arlington Heights, Chicago and Springfield.
The Early Learners Group is an alternative program to help children get ready for their next academic milestones if your child is struggling in kindergarten or almost but not quite ready for daycare.
Katie Oglesbee, M.S., CCC-SLP, Therapeutic Director
1801 West Bryon, Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: (773) 244-0700
Email: Katie - koglesbee@blackbearacademy.com
Black Bear Academy has pre-academic, academic, and therapeutic programs that provide a supportive environment for children ranging from 18 months to 6 years to encourage development of school readiness skills, independence, and social interactions through thematic, play based learning and positive peer models.
School Program
Marge Pyzac
1962 Broadway St., Blue Island, IL 60406
Phone: (708) 389-8137
Provides educational, therapeutic, self-help and pre-vocational services to students diagnosed with developmental disabilities, including autism. An emphasis is placed on cognitive, speech, gross motor, fine motor, social and self-help skills.
Contact: Brittany Leon
310 N. Loomis Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 243-8487
Email: marketing@bluebirddayschool.com
Blue Bird Day is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation and academic learning in children ages 2-9 in a Pre-School and Kindergarten setting.
Center for Behavior Intervention, Inc
Locations in Barrington, St. Charles, Naperville, Mokena and Peru, IL
Phone: 708-995-5751
Email: info@cbitherapy.com
ABA Therapy: The team at CBI is dedicated to working with your family to do what is in the best interest of your loved one, through effective applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.
Social Skills Groups (Hangouts): Available old elementary, middle school and high school aged children; many are mixed groups with individuals with ASD and typically developing peers.
Therapeutic Playgroup & Preschool: Specifically designed to the developing child; open to individuals who are typically developing as well as with ASD, behavioral challenges and/or other learning differences.
Rhonda Cohen, inclusion director
1418 Lake St., Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: (847) 492-1213
Email: office@cherrypreschool.org
An NAEYC accredited school that integrates children with special needs in the regular preschool setting to learn appropriate social, language, and play skills.
Karen George, M.S. CCC-SLP
1422 W Willow St Suite 103, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: 773-620-7800
Contact via email: Click Here
CST Academy is a therapeutic preschool program that offers a holistic approach to meet the unique developmental goals and needs of every child.
Erikson Institute - Center for Children & Families
Locations: Downtown Chicago, Austin neighborhood, Little Village Neighborhood
Call 312-755-2250
Serves children from birth to 8 years old and their parents. Team of psychologists, social workers, developmental and behavioral pediatricians, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and other licensed mental health professionals offer services including Child-Parent Psychotherapy with parent and developmental guidance, Comprehensive assessments, Neurodevelopmental diagnostic evaluations and Early Intervention medical diagnostic services for 0-3 year olds.
Jewish Child & Family Services
Joy Faith Knapp Children's Center
Sandra Spicher
3145 W. Pratt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: (773) 467-3900
Email: therapeuticdayschool@jcfs.org
Provides the best educational, emotional and therapeutic services for students of all backgrounds in grades K-12 who have not thrived in a traditional school setting, to encourage their academic, interpersonal and vocational success.
Lumiere Children's Therapy
811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 306, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (312) 242-1665
Email: info@lumierechild.com
Multidisciplinary pediatric therapy program located in Chicago that serves the developmental needs of children and their families. Services, both in-home and center-based, include ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Social Work. A therapeutic preschool program, enrichment classes, and summer camps are also available.
The Manhattan Childrens Center (MCC)
111 West 92nd Street, New York, NY 10025
212-749-4604
The Manhattan Children's Center (MCC) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) school for Autism education and treatment based in New York City. MCC provides world-class treatment and education to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The Place for Children with Autism
Don Hanigan
Portage Park: 6202 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago IL 60634
Pilsen:1718 S. Loomis Street, Chicago IL 60608
Mt. Greenwood: 10901 S. Trumbull Ave, Chicago IL 60655
Phone: 224-436-0788
Email: info@theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com
We offer full day ABA therapy in a pre-school like environment for children with Autism.
2222 N. Kedzie Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60647
Preschool: (773) 665.8052 ext. 1
Smart Love Preschool is a fully-licensed, not-for-profit school serving children ages 6 weeks to 6-years-old. We offer a play-based curriculum, focused on creating a positive relationship with learning in a nurturing environment.
Phone: (312) 554-5578
Email: info@stridecenters.com
Provides center-based ABA therapy and full-day ABA programs for pre-school aged children, 2-6 years.
Alexander Leigh Center for Autism
Kelly Weaver
4100 Veterans Pkwy, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: (815) 344-2522
Email: kweaver@alcacenter.org
Illinois State Board of Eduction approved. School's primary philosophy is applied behavior analysis.
Beard Special Education Center
6445 W. Strong St., Chicago, IL 60656
Phone: (773) 534-1228
Offers education and treatment for autism spectrum, emotionally disabled, and cognitively delayed children including, discrete trial, sensory integration, behavioral, music, and art therapy, group theraplay and public talking circle.
Contact: Brittany Leon
310 N. Loomis Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 243-8487
Email: marketing@bluebirddayschool.com
Blue Bird Day is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation and academic learning in children ages 2-9 in a Pre-School and Kindergarten setting.
Central Office Location
7500 Rialto Blvd., Building 1, Suite 260, Austin, Texas 78735
Phone: (512) 858-9900
Email: info@cameloteducation.org
Children participating in the autism program at Camelot’s day schools take part in a specialized curriculum that focuses on maximizing independent functioning in home, school, vocational and community settings by utilizing music therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, social skills training, prevocational and vocational instruction, and a functional academic curriculum; locations in Illinois include Garden Prarie, Bourbonnais, Hoffman Estates, Mt. Prospect, Naperville, Moline, and Dekalb.
Rhonda Cohen, inclusion director
1418 Lake St., Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: (847) 492-1213
Email: office@cherrypreschool.org
An NAEYC accredited school that integrates children with special needs in the regular preschool setting to learn appropriate social, language, and play skills.
Laura Hartwell, principal
21133 S. 80th Ave., Frankfort, IL 60423
Phone: (815) 806-2900
Email: CAACorwin@gmail.com
Serves children who have an autism spectrum disorder, cognitive disability, or a developmental delay with a variety of programs and empirical based procedures, which include: speech and language, occupational therapy, behavioral analysis, and social programming.
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 997-3675
mary.zabelski@chicagolighthouse.org
Therapeutic day school: Programs for students with blindness/visual impairments, moderate to severe/profound cognitive impairments, hearing impairments, traumatic brain injuries, autism, sensory processing disorders, seizure disorders, physical disabilities, communication disorders and other health concerns; program includes speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, nursing, psychology, orientation and mobility, and vision and hearing.
Vision Care: Services include Optometry.
(312) 997-3686
Karen George, M.S. CCC-SLP
1422 W Willow St Suite 103, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: 773-620-7800
Contact via email: Click Here
CST Academy is a therapeutic preschool program that offers a holistic approach to meet the unique developmental goals and needs of every child.
1939 W. 13th St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (312) 491-4110
Easterseals Academy empowers each student to achieve peak academic performance, increase social and vocational skills, develop an effective means of communication and foster the acquisition of functional life skills for independence in the community; locations include Chicago, Rockford, and Tinley Park.
Autism Comprehensive Education (ACE) Program
13020 S. Central Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463
Phone: (708) 389-0555
School offers a one-on-one integrated holistic approach of services including TEACCH, applied behavior analysis, and augmentative communication.
Sylvia Smith
2500 Cabot Dr., Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: (630) 864-3801
Email: ssmith@mygiantsteps.org
Giant Steps Illinois day school offers a one-on-one integrated holistic approach of services for students with Austism Spectrum Disorders.
Helping Hand School for Autism
Sally Wilson-Gamble
9649 W. 55th St., Countryside, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 352-3580, ext. 437
Use research-based intervention modalities and teaching methods to assure best practice to design each child's own individualized program and curriculum.
8149 Cass Ave., Darien, IL 60561
630-541-6441
Holtz Educational Center, LLC is a non-public, therapeutic day school that provides special education alternatives to students pre-K through 8th grade utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Holtz accepts students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delay, students previously diagnosed as having PDD-NOS, intellectual and specific learning disorders & other health impairments.
Phone: (224) 326-2206
Email: 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 City - Children's Programs
1760 W. Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067
Main Campus: 847-358-5510
700 N Sacramento, Ste 201 Chicago, IL 60612
Chicago office: 773-265-1539
Our ChildBridge Centers provide individuals up to age 21 with supports, programs and services that help increase their potential for lifelong productivity and success. Services include residential and therapeutic day school, home-based supports and therapy, and foster care/adoption services.
Jewish Child & Family Services
Joy Faith Knapp Children's Center
Sandra Spicher
3145 W. Pratt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: (773) 467-3900
Email: therapeuticdayschool@jcfs.org
Provides the best educational, emotional and therapeutic services for students of all backgrounds in grades K-12 who have not thrived in a traditional school setting, to encourage their academic, interpersonal and vocational success.
LaGrange Area Department of Special Education
Colleen Brown
1301 W. Cossitt Ave., LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 482-1152
Provides services to residents to seventeen school districts in DuPage and Cook Counties.
Lumiere Children's Therapy
811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 306, Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (312) 242-1665
Email: info@lumierechild.com
Multidisciplinary pediatric therapy program located in Chicago that serves the developmental needs of children and their families. Services, both in-home and center-based, include ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Social Work. A therapeutic preschool program, enrichment classes, and summer camps are also available.
Patricia Palmer
6737 W. Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago, IL 60634-1470
Phone: (773) 286-6226
Email: ppalmer@newhorizoncenter.org
Therapeautic day school for those with severe and profound learning disabilities, autism, and intellectually challenged students who benefit from a personalized program with services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, art therapy, nursing services, social services, vision services, sensory room, Rainbow Dog Therapy, Greenhouse Gardening and much more.
The Manhattan Childrens Center (MCC)
111 West 92nd Street, New York, NY 10025
212-749-4604
The Manhattan Children's Center (MCC) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) school for Autism education and treatment based in New York City. MCC provides world-class treatment and education to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Paula Jablonski, principal
7101 N. Greenview Ave., Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 338-9102
email: learningcenter@pactt.org
Illinois State Board of Education approved. PACTT is an agency that provides educational, residential and vocational services to individuals with autism.
The Place for Children with Autism
Don Hanigan
Portage Park: 6202 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago IL 60634
Pilsen:1718 S. Loomis Street, Chicago IL 60608
Mt. Greenwood: 10901 S. Trumbull Ave, Chicago IL 60655
Phone: 224-436-0788
Email: info@theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com
We offer full day ABA therapy in a pre-school like environment for children with Autism.
Pyramid Pre-K Early Learning Center
3048 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 312-458-9865
Email: info@pediatricresources.org
Individualized curriculum to allow for both academic and therapeutic services.
Linda Cervenka
8330 S. Madison St., Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone: (630) 323-2900
Email: info@soaringeagleacademy.org
First school in the Midwest to provide a social and academic learning environment utilizing a developmental individual-difference relationship based (DIR) approach for students diagnosed with autism and related disorders.
Phone: (312) 554-5578
Email: info@stridecenters.com
Provides center-based ABA therapy and full-day ABA programs for pre-school aged children, 2-6 years.
The Autism Spectrum Program
333 W. River Road, Elgin, IL 60123
Phone: (847) 468-0490
Email: jwhite@summitdundee.org
Program offers a one-on-one integrated holistic approach of services including DIR, TEACCH and RDI.
Winston Knolls
Address: 2353 Hassell Rd, Suite 110, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Phone: (630) 283-3221
Email: info@knollscenterforautism.org
Services Provided: Provides ABA Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Social Skills Groups, Parent Training and Education, Family Counseling, Social Work, Psychiatry, and Academic Programs through insurance.
Ages Served: All Ages
Academy of Excellence in Learning
Stephanie Beaulieu, MA, BCBA
Lindsay Rice, MA, BCBA
19056 Henry Drive, Mokena, IL 60448
Phone: (708) 271-3478 or (913) 485-8151
emails: stephanie@academyofexcellenceinlearning.com and lindsay@academyofexcellenceinlearning.com
Illinois State Board of Eduction approved, non-public special education facility. They are currently accepting students with educational diagnosis of autism, cognitive disability, learning disabilities, challenging behaviors, speech or language impairment, and other health impairment.
AERO Special Education Cooperative
7600 S. Mason Ave., Burbank, IL 60459
Phone: (708) 496-3330
Provides special education programming for 12 school districts and provides a number of related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech services, social work, assistive technology and school nurses.
Alexander Leigh Center for Autism
Kelly Weaver
4100 Veterans Pkwy, McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: (815) 344-2522
Email: kweaver@alcacenter.org
Illinois State Board of Eduction approved. School's primary philosophy is applied behavior analysis.
Beard Special Education Center
6445 W. Strong St., Chicago, IL 60656
Phone: (773) 534-1228
Offers education and treatment for autism spectrum, emotionally disabled, and cognitively delayed children including, discrete trial, sensory integration, behavioral, music, and art therapy, group theraplay and public talking circle.
Contact: Brittany Leon
310 N. Loomis Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 243-8487
Email: marketing@bluebirddayschool.com
Blue Bird Day is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation and academic learning in children ages 2-9 in a Pre-School and Kindergarten setting.
Central Office Location
7500 Rialto Blvd., Building 1, Suite 260, Austin, Texas 78735
Phone: (512) 858-9900
Email: info@cameloteducation.org
Children participating in the autism program at Camelot’s day schools take part in a specialized curriculum that focuses on maximizing independent functioning in home, school, vocational and community settings by utilizing music therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, social skills training, prevocational and vocational instruction, and a functional academic curriculum; locations in Illinois include Garden Prarie, Bourbonnais, Hoffman Estates, Mt. Prospect, Naperville, Moline, and Dekalb.
Michelle Markowitz
405 Washington St.
Hanover, MA 02339
(781) 829-1205
Plymouth County
email: mmarkowitz@cushingcenters.org
Private, non-profit therapeutic special needs boarding school for children and young adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
Cost: soon to be approved out-of-state placement option for Illinois.
Laura Hartwell, principal
21133 S. 80th Ave., Frankfort, IL 60423
Phone: (815) 806-2900
Email: CAACorwin@gmail.com
Serves children who have an autism spectrum disorder, cognitive disability, or a developmental delay with a variety of programs and empirical based procedures, which include: speech and language, occupational therapy, behavioral analysis, and social programming.
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 997-3675
mary.zabelski@chicagolighthouse.org
Therapeutic day school: Programs for students with blindness/visual impairments, moderate to severe/profound cognitive impairments, hearing impairments, traumatic brain injuries, autism, sensory processing disorders, seizure disorders, physical disabilities, communication disorders and other health concerns; program includes speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, nursing, psychology, orientation and mobility, and vision and hearing.
Vision Care: Services include Optometry.
(312) 997-3686
Christopher Flint, Head of School
1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615
Phone: (872) 240-2489
Email: cflint@cityelementary.com
ISBE approved. Offers an educational program tailored to children with diverse learning styles and developmental needs.
31410 North US Highway 45 | Libertyville, IL 60048
Phone: 847.680.8349
We serve children and adolescents, ages 8-21, primarily from Lake County who, because of significant special education needs (ED, BD, LD, OHI, AUT & CD), require an alternative school program that is both educational and therapeutic. By utilizing therapeutic, educational, family and community connections, CDS is able to promote academic achievement, social/emotional well-being and personal growth.
909 E. Wilmette Road, Palatine, IL 60074
Phone: 847-359-8300
South Campus is a private therapeutic day school serving students with a variety of emotional and behavioral needs serving students in Southern Lake and Northern Cook Counties who are in need of an alternative school program, which is supportive, therapeutic and educational. The program serves students between the ages of 6 and 21 years. SC utilizes educational, therapeutic, family and community connections to promote academic achievement and personal/emotional growth.
1939 W. 13th St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (312) 491-4110
Easterseals Academy empowers each student to achieve peak academic performance, increase social and vocational skills, develop an effective means of communication and foster the acquisition of functional life skills for independence in the community; locations include Chicago, Rockford, and Tinley Park.
Autism Comprehensive Education (ACE) Program
13020 S. Central Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463
Phone: (708) 389-0555
School offers a one-on-one integrated holistic approach of services including TEACCH, applied behavior analysis, and augmentative communication.
520 N Marshfield
Chicago IL 60622
Phone: (312) 243-6097
Ages: 6-21 years
Esperanza School is a private therapeutic day school that serves special education students with severe and profound Autism and Intellectual Disabilities, aged 6 through 21 years old. Due to their autism and other developmental disabilities, our students also display significant behavioral needs. Our multidisciplinary team includes teachers, behavior therapists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and a speech and communication specialist.
Contact: Stephanie Koster-Peterson, admissions director
36100 Genesee Lake Road
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 569-5510, ext. 3004
email: admissions@geneseelakeschool.com
Genesee Lake School is a nationally recognized provider offering programs for students with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, neurological disorders, and emotional disturbances. Additionally, we offer specialized programs for students with autism spectrum disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, and complex trauma. Our 160 acre campus is a nurturing setting where students from around the country gain the skills and experiences necessary to successfully return to their families, school districts, and communities. Our goal at Genesee Lake School is to provide an innovative and enriching environment for the students in our care to learn and experience all that life can offer. Illinois State Board of Education
Approved and COA Certified.
Ages: 6-21 years.
Accepts private and public insurance.
No wait list.
Sylvia Smith
2500 Cabot Dr., Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: (630) 864-3801
Email: ssmith@mygiantsteps.org
Giant Steps Illinois day school offers a one-on-one integrated holistic approach of services for students with Austism Spectrum Disorders.
Kristina Baker, director of admissions and outreach
8700 East 29th Street
Wichita, KS 67226
(C): (316) 214-1132
(O): (316) 634-8874
email: kbaker@heartspring.org
The Heartspring School is a private, not-for-profit, residential and day school, serving students impacted by autism and other developmental disabilities from across the country and around the world. Most Heartspring students also display challenging behaviors that often interfere with their educational progress, as well as their home life and community integration.
Ages: 5-21 yrs.
Cost: Heartspring is a school with a residential program and, therefore, charges tuition and fees. The majority of the students who attend Heartspring are placed through the students’ IEP teams and funded by their local school district. Very few students qualify for funding through insurance providers. However, on a case-by-case basis, this may be possible. Some students have multiple agencies involved in the placement and in the funding (such as a school district, a child welfare agency, adoption subsidy, etc.). For some families, paying privately and/or outside financing may be an option.
Helping Hand School for Autism
Sally Wilson-Gamble
9649 W. 55th St., Countryside, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 352-3580, ext. 437
Use research-based intervention modalities and teaching methods to assure best practice to design each child's own individualized program and curriculum.
8149 Cass Ave., Darien, IL 60561
630-541-6441
Holtz Educational Center, LLC is a non-public, therapeutic day school that provides special education alternatives to students pre-K through 8th grade utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Holtz accepts students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delay, students previously diagnosed as having PDD-NOS, intellectual and specific learning disorders & other health impairments.
Jewish Child & Family Services
Joy Faith Knapp Children's Center
Sandra Spicher
3145 W. Pratt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: (773) 467-3900
Email: therapeuticdayschool@jcfs.org
Provides the best educational, emotional and therapeutic services for students of all backgrounds in grades K-12 who have not thrived in a traditional school setting, to encourage their academic, interpersonal and vocational success.
Krejci Academy/The Mansion (Little Friends)
619 E Franklin Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 355-6870
Therapeutic day school for children ages 5-21 with autism or other emotional, behavioral or developmental disabilities.
LaGrange Area Department of Special Education
Colleen Brown
1301 W. Cossitt Ave., LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 482-1152
Provides services to residents to seventeen school districts in DuPage and Cook Counties.
The Manhattan Childrens Center (MCC)
111 West 92nd Street, New York, NY 10025
212-749-4604
The Manhattan Children's Center (MCC) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) school for Autism education and treatment based in New York City. MCC provides world-class treatment and education to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
info@marklund.org
(630) 593 5500
Locations in:
- Bloomingdale: 64 S. Prairie Ave., Bloomingdale, IL 60108
- Elgin: 1435 Summit Street, Elgin, Illinois 60120
- Geneva: 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva, IL 60134
Programs include Early Intervention services (Ages 0-3; 630-529-2871, ext. 2238), day school programming (Ages 3-21), day program services (Ages 18+) and residential services (all ages), and employment services for indiviudals with developmental disabilities.
865 E. Wilmette Road, Palatine, IL 60074
Phone: 847-359-8690
New Connections Academy serves boys and girls ages 6 to 21 with ASD placed by local school districts. New Connections Academy provides school, family and community partnerships leading to successful learning. New Connections Academy offers a primary program (grades 1 to 3), intermediate (grades 4-6), junior high (grades 7 & 8) and several high school classes (grades 9-12). The classes are self-contained, offering a standard elementary curriculum of Reading, Spelling, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education. Each student has an Individual Educational Plan developed by the placing district.
Patricia Palmer
6737 W. Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago, IL 60634-1470
Phone: (773) 286-6226
Email: ppalmer@newhorizoncenter.org
Therapeautic day school for those with severe and profound learning disabilities, autism, and intellectually challenged students who benefit from a personalized program with services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, art therapy, nursing services, social services, vision services, sensory room, Rainbow Dog Therapy, Greenhouse Gardening and much more.
Brandy Larrance, executive director
6289 W. Howard St.
Niles IL 60714
(847) 588-0463
Cook County
Illinois State Board of Education approved. Serves students in special education diagnosed with emotional disabilities, other health impairments, learning disabilities, and autism. Students are average to above-average intelligence, withdraw socially and emotionally, experience difficulty “fitting in” a mainstream environment, have difficulty reading social cues, “slip through the cracks” until their problems are severe, procrastinate (specifically with homework assignments and long-term projects), have difficulty with executive functioning, have talents in art and music, have the potential for academic achievement, struggle with gross and fine motor skills, have difficulty with social skills, use frequent illness as a means to avoid school and may become “school phobic,” appear sad, lonely, hopeless, or depressed, harbor anger and hostility but does not act out violently in school or in the community.
Ages: 11-21 years.
Cost: funded by child’s public school district and accepts private-pay students.
No wait list.
Paula Jablonski, principal
7101 N. Greenview Ave., Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 338-9102
email: learningcenter@pactt.org
Illinois State Board of Education approved. PACTT is an agency that provides educational, residential and vocational services to individuals with autism.
Jean L. Heideman, MPP, MS, director
2150 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 942-6627
Cook County
Illinois State Board of Education approved. Rush Day School utilizes a team approach to provide intensive psychotherapeutic services combined with an academic program. Offers education and treatment for autism spectrum and emotionally disabled children. Goal for each student is to return to a less restrictive school environment. The majority of students return to a public or private school in regular education with support. Class size: limited to six to nine students. Children may be enrolled throughout the academic and extended school year. Download brochure.
Ages: 5-15 years (grades K-8).
Cost: Most students are funded by the child's home school district.
Linda Cervenka
8330 S. Madison St., Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone: (630) 323-2900
Email: info@soaringeagleacademy.org
First school in the Midwest to provide a social and academic learning environment utilizing a developmental individual-difference relationship based (DIR) approach for students diagnosed with autism and related disorders.
The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago
Day School Program
Kristin Friesen
1365 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 834-7694
Cook County
Illinois State Board of Education approved, supported by the Foundation for Emotionally Disturbed Children (FEDC). The day school is committed to fostering inquiry into the clinical and treatment needs of troubled children and youth. The school and family work together to create a consistent experience for each student. The students learn how to be a support system for one another as they face challenges that are exclusive to the day school population.
Ages: 5 years and up.
Funded by child's school district.
Limited number of spaces.
Residential Program at The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
At the heart of the orthogenic school's residential program is the milieu staff. The orthogenic school relies upon the therapeutic relationships that develop between a student and his or her counselors as a major component of the treatment. Milieu staff members are actively involved with the students throughout the day, not simply monitoring or supervising them but developing bonds and relationships with students that create a structure in which each child or adolescent can receive emotional support, develop new skills and sustain healthy relationships. Get more information.
Ages: 5 years and up.
Cost: state funded.
No wait list.
The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago
Kristin Friesen
6245 S. Ingleside Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: (773) 420-2891
Coeducational residential treatment program for individuals with Asperger's disorder/high functioning autism.
Phone: (312) 554-5578
Email: info@stridecenters.com
Provides center-based ABA therapy and full-day ABA programs for pre-school aged children, 2-6 years.
Stuart G. Ferst School
Diane Kush
6050 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60659
Phone: (773) 761-4651, ext. 235
Illinois State Board of Education approved. Provides co-ed functional academic instruction, vocational experience and/or therapeutic education to students with behavioral/emotional disorders, traumatic brain injuries, or developmental disabilities such as autism, cognitive impairment or physical/medical impairment.
The Autism Spectrum Program
333 W. River Road, Elgin, IL 60123
Phone: (847) 468-0490
Email: jwhite@summitdundee.org
Program offers a one-on-one integrated holistic approach of services including DIR, TEACCH and RDI.
Winston Knolls
Address: 2353 Hassell Rd, Suite 110, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Phone: (630) 283-3221
Email: info@knollscenterforautism.org
Services Provided: Provides ABA Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, Social Skills Groups, Parent Training and Education, Family Counseling, Social Work, Psychiatry, and Academic Programs through insurance.
Ages Served: All Ages
