Special Needs/Autism
Rockford Area Autism/Special Needs Training and Support Group Community Calendar
Access Services of Northern Illinois
Provides individual service coordination for children with specific developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability, over the age of 3 years, but focusing on transition services for adolescents. No fees. M-F 8-4:30.
- 7399 Forest Hills Road
Loves Park, IL 61111 - Phone: 815-282-8824
Early Intervention via Child and Family Connections of Youth Services Network
The Early Intervention program in Illinois is for families with infants or toddlers, age birth to 36 months, who have concerns about how their child is developing. A caring and knowledgeable Service Coordinator will meet with the family to explain parents’ rights, and help to determine what evaluations and assessments will be provided by qualified professionals at no cost to the family. If services are recommended, staff will assist in developing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that will link the family to providers and supports they choose to help their child learn and grow.
- Youth Services Network
- 107 North Third Street, Rockford IL 61107
- Phone: 815-986-1947
https://ysnkids.com/ysn-programs/#CFC
GiGi’s Playhouse- Rockford Down Syndrome Awareness Center
Offers programs for children and adults, including their families, with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Programs include literacy, crawlers, 0-2, walkers, hop-skip and jumpers, playhouse pals, kids club, open play, and parent orientation. Works to educate people about and empower people with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Developmental therapists, OT, PT, speech therapy involved, but not in place of therapy services. No fees. M-F 10-2 and other select times.
- 8801 North 2nd Street, Suite 2
Machesney Park, IL 61115 - Phone: 815-654-7529
View GiGi’s Brochure
http://www.gigisplayhouse.org/location-rockford.asp
RAMP No Limits
Provides multiple services to promote independent living for indviduals with a disability. Provides youth education and advocacy- including individual education plan (IEP) specialists, individual and systemic advocacy, peer support, community education, deaf services, information and referrals, equipment loaning, accessibility assessments, independent living skills training, community re-integration program, brain injury case management, and personal assistant services.
- 202 Market Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: (815)968-7467, TTY: (815)968-2401
- Fax: (815)968-7612
- 530 S State Street, Suite 103
Belvidere, IL 61008 - Phone: (815)544-8404, TTY: (815)544-8404
- Fax: (815)544-1896
Barbara Olson Center of Hope
Provides a variety of vocational, employment, educational, social, and habilitative services for teens 16 years of age or older and adults with developmental disabilities living in Winnebago and Boone Counties and surrounding areas. Services include parent and auxillary groups, nursing services, occupational therapy, transportation, school transition services, behavior management, social and recreational opportunities, and outreach and advocacy. Programs include Hope Industries, Workshop, Vocational Development, Education and Training Center with a variety of multiple training opportunities, Community Employment Services, Sensory Integration, Moments Remembered, and Volunteer Center.
- 3206 North Central Avenue
Rockford, IL 61101 - Phone: 815-964-9275, TDD: 815-964-9388
- Fax: 815-964-9607
http://www.b-olsoncenterofhope.org
The Arc of Winnebago, Boone, and Ogle Counties
Serves children, adults, and families with disabilities through service coordination, skills training, social activities, and advocacy. Provides home-based service facilitation if approved by Illinois DHSDD. New programs include behavioral modification and group and individual counseling for children and adults with special needs. Referrals may be required from Access Services of Northern Illinois to access certain services. No or sliding scale fees depending on programs. M-F 8:15-5.
- 1222 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61104 - Phone: 815-965-3455
- Fax: 815-965-3673
Easter Seals Family Support Services
Provides a variety of information and support services to help families of children with disabilities. Assistance from staff is unique to each family and is based on the family’s needs and priorities for their child. Services may include parent support groups including Northwest IL Autism Support Group, Ogle County Autism Support Group, Down syndrome Support Group, and Family Support Information Group, as well as parent trainings, consultation, and technical assistance. Services can be provided in the family’s home or another location convenient for the family. No fees. M-F 8:15-4:45.
- Family Support Services
- Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago-Rockford Regional Office
- 815 N. Church St.
- Rockford, IL 61103
- 815-965-5069 x 221
http://www.eastersealschicago.org
The Autism Program Service Center- Rockford, a program of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago
Our program provides diagnostic, educational, and community resource and information for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorders. Screening and Diagnostic services carried out by diagnostic professionals including a psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist and a comprehensive team approach including use of the Autism Observation Diagnostic Scale. Our staff also provide clinical services including Family Focus Consultation, Social Skills Group, Family Consultation and Educator Consultation. These services are designed to support parents and providers to help understand ASD, wrapping the support around the care provider to help identify and meet the needs of the individual with ASD and the family. Our staff also provides training to first responders, early intervention providers, day care providers, parents, family members and educators. We also can adapt our training to meet the needs of the participants. Finally, our Autism Family and Community Resource Room is an inclusive, one-top, trusted resource with ASD information and services across the life span. No fees. Call for current waiting times. M-F 8:30-5. Weekend and evening appointment available by appointment.
- 1601 Parkview Avenue
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-395-5566
http://www.eastersealschicago.org
Autism Support Home Services
Autism Support Home Services provides in-home Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA, with Board Certified Behavior Analysts) and respite services to Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin residents. Technology supported collaborative communication is used to ensure evidenced based and individualized treatment. Accepts major private medical insurances, Medicaid Waiver 56U, and self pay.
- 85 Revere Drive, Suite AA
Northbrook, IL 60062 USA - Phone: (847) 564-0822
- Fax: (847) 348-3706
- Email: contact@AutismHomeSupport.com
Forest City Behavior- Erin Wade, Ph.D, BCBA-D
Easter Seals Therapeutic School and Center for Autism
Accepts students 3-21 years from NW Illinois with primary diagnosis of autism, cognitive delay, behavioral disorder, or emotional disorder, must be approved by school district of origin as part of individual education plan.
- 615 S. 5th Street
- Rockford, IL 61104
- 815-965-6745
http://www.eastersealschicago.org
Winnebago&Boone County Public Schools Special Education Departments
View Special Education Departments Attachment
The Northwestern Illinois Association- A Special Education Cooperative
Offers a variety of direct and consultative services to member Northwestern Illinois school districts (over 70 served). Services for children 3-21 years include: assistive technology; audiology; vision; consultation team for children with autism spectrum disorders; orthopedic and multiple impairments; physical therapy; occupational therapy; supported employment; early childhood&life skills supervision; and inclusion facilitation. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Classroom in Eligin. Professional development programs are offered for educators, paraprofessionals, and parents. Parents should register their children through their home district first to access services. The Autism Library is offered free of charge through the Rockford Office. M-F 8-4:30.
- 245 West Exchange Street, Suite 4
(main administrative office)
Sycamore, IL 60178 - Phone: 815-895-9227
- Fax: 815-895-2971
- 3626 East State Street
(Rockford regional office)
Rockford, IL 61108 - Phone: 815-964-0937, ext 214 for The Autism Library
- Fax: 815-964-2210
View Autism Library Brochure
View Autism Team Brochure
http://www.thenia.org
Tebala Shriners
Local Shriners association providing screenings and connections to the Shriners Hospital of Chicago for children from birth-18 years of age with orthopedic, spinal cord injury, burn, and cleft lip/palate problems. No fees. M-F 10-4.
- 7910 Newburg Road
Rockford, IL 61108 - Phone: 815-332-2010
- Fax: 815-332-5923
UIC-Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC)
DSCC can help families arrange, coordinate and pay for a child’s specialized medical treatment when the child has an eligible medical condition and certain financial criteria are met. Any Illinois child from birth to age 21 may qualify for no-cost diagnostic services. Telemedicine consultations with UIC ear, nose, and throat physician available on specific clinic days. Call for more information. A child must have, or be suspected of having a treatable chronic condition in one of the following categories to be medically eligible for services: Orthopedic; Heart Defects; Hearing Loss; Neurological; Craniofacial or Cleft Palate Defects; Hemophilia; Cystic Fibrosis; Certain Metabolic Conditions; Eye Impairments; and Urinary System Impairments. No fees. M-F 8-4:30.
- 4302 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103 - Phone: 815-987-7571
Toll Free 800-651-9319 - Fax: 815-987-7891
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center
Offers equine (horse) therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and carriage driving programs for individuals with various disabilities and their families starting at 4 years of age. Also offers traditional speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy services at the Poplar Grove site.
- 4950 Route 173
Poplar Grove, IL 61063 - Phone: 815-765-2113
- Fax: 815-765-0003
- 7319 Maxon Road
Harvard, IL 60033 - Phone: 815-943-8226
- Fax: 815-943-8426
http://www.braveheartsriding.org
BraveHearts 2013 HPOT Brochure
Rockford Memorial Hospital Department of Child Development and Behavior
Provides services to children with developmental and behavioral challenges including: medical diagnostic; NICU follow-up (RMH NICU graduates only); child psychology; and pediatric physical, occupational, developmental, speech, and aquatic therapy services. Medicaid accepted. Need referral from primary care physician. Not taking new patients for child psychology at this time. M-F 8-4:30.
- 2400 North Rockton Avenue
Rockford, IL 61103 - Phone: 815-971-4920 (child development services)
815-971-5022 (therapy services)
Swedish American Pediatric Therapy Services
Provides pediatric physical; occupational; aquatic; speech&language; and oral motor/feeding therapies. Medicaid accepted. Need referral from primary care physician. Open M-Th 8-5, F 8-12.
- 209 9th Street, Ste. 302
Rockford, IL 61104 - Phone: 815-489-4470
View SAH Pediatric Therapy Brochure
View website
The Speech Garden, LTD
Private speech therapist office. Does not accept Medicaid. Pending insurance, may need referral from primary care physician. T-F 8-5.
- 1740 South Bell School Road, Suite C-1
Cherry Valley, IL 61016 - Phone&Fax: 815-332-1988
- email: speechgarden@frontier.com
Center for Sight and Hearing
Offers evaluation and treatment of vision and hearing impairments for children and adults. Also offers communication assistive technology, interpretting services, instruction in Braille and sign language, and vocational assistance. Routine eye exams offered for children with special needs. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted. Audiology Clinic open M-F 8-4:30. Vision Clinic open M-Th 9-4:30. Emergency interpretting services available 24/7.
Also provides job search and on-the-job training for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or low vision. CSH has a Simple Solution store with assistive technology devices for sale. Staff can help with computer and typing skills and assist with scheduling sign language interpreters and captionists for interviews, job training, meetings, classes, and other appointments.
- 8038 MacIntosh Lane (street)
P.O. Box 5944 (mailing)
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-332-6800, TTY: 815-332-6820
- Emergency interpretting service: 815-966-2058
- Fax: 815-332-6810
Milestone, Inc. Dental Clinic
Milestone Dental Clinic is available to children and adults with a diagnosis of developmental disability. Dental clinic open M-Th 8-6.
- 275 North Phelps (dental clinic)
Rockford, IL 61108 - Phone: 815-484-8678
Special Olympics
Regional office providing multiple programs and competitions for special needs athletes.
- 904 Myrtle Avenue
Dixon, IL 61021 - Phone: 815-288-2939
- Fax: 815-288-2939
- P.O. Box 17017
Rockford, IL 61110 - Phone: 815-965-3795
Rockford Office
Northlands Association for Special Recreation
Cooperative Program between the Belvidere, Freeport, and Rockford Park Districts offering therapeutic and recreation programs to children with disability-related special needs. Programs offered through member district at resident rate. See below for specific contact information for Rockford and Belvidere Park Districts.
Belvidere Park District- Special Recreation
Offers specialty/therapeutic programs for children with special needs via NASR as noted above.
- 1006 West Lincoln Avenue
Belvidere, IL 61008 - Phone: 815-547-5711
Rockford Park District- Therapeutic Recreation Department
The Therapeutic Recreation team of the Rockford Park District is committed to providing community based recreation to promote the development, maintenance, and expression of a meaningful leisure lifestyle to people with disabilities. We deliver our services promoting and/or providing access, inclusion, specialty recreation, leisure education, and skill development.
- 401 S. Main Street, Suite 108
Rockford IL 61101 - Phone: 815-987-1606
TTY: 888-871-6171 - Fax: 15-987-1607
View brochure
View Website
Catch the Wave Swim Club
Catch the Wave is dedicated to serving the community by developing water safety skills and services that improve health and quality of life. Learning to swim is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and/or our children. Catch the Wave Swim Club will provide the skills necessary for each child to be safer in and around the water.
Our specialized autism swim program uses firm and direct instruction with high praise and reward as well as visual aids and other effective techniques practiced by top autism swim programs in the United States. Together we can create a fun and safe environment in and around with water for children with autism.
- 1917 Blackhawk Blvd
- South Beloit, IL 61080
- Phone: 1-815-713-4481
- Email: info@catchthewaveswim.com
http://www.catchthewaveswim.com
Easter Seals Family Support Services Respite Program
Serves up to 10 families a month for a total of 20 hours per family. Families chosen on a first come/first serve basis with a wait list used if necessary. Provides a respite worker based on your input and needs for your child. All respite workers have the Illinois State Board of Education Paraprofessional certificate. Eligibility criteria: birth-21; medical diagnosis of a developmental disability; denial from DHS-DORS program or Milestone (listed below) and cannot be used in conjunction with either program; live Winnebago, Boone or Ogle counties. No income guidelines.
- Family Support Services
- Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago-Rockford Regional Office
- 815 N. Church St.
- Rockford, IL 61103
- 815-965-5069 x 221
http://www.eastersealschicago.org
Genesis Daycare
Accepts both typically developing children and children with certain special healthcare needs, including physical and cognitive disabilities (call to discuss).
- 724 Harrison Avenue
Rockford, IL 61104 - Phone: 815-397-4867
Illinois Respite Coalition
The purpose of the Illlinois Respite Coalition-Lifespan Emergency Respite Program is to offer funding and resources to support caregivers of adults with special needs or children with special needs with an urgent need for respite care in the absence of any other funding source. They also focus on creating a one stop shop for those who need respite care in Illinois. To learn more, visit their website and click on your county on the map for more information.
http://www.illinoisrespite.org
Lisa’s Daycare
Licensed DCFS day care home specializing in care for children with intellectual disabilities age one month through 12 years. Small provider to child ratio with DCFS approved assistant. Mission Statement: To provide quality care to children in a nurturing, educational, and enriching environment. Provides weekend hours and respite care for families as needed. Located in northwest Rockford, Illinois.
Visit http://www.cooperativeresourcing.com for more information.
Milestone, Inc. Individual and Group Respite Care Programs
Families are eligible for the Individual Milestone Respite Program if:
o They live in Winnebago, Boone or Ogle County;
o The family has a loved one living with them who has a developmental disability (Cognitive Disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, or Epilepsy);
o The family does not receive other state services such a Home Based Support, Person Assistants, Child Care Grants, or Office of Rehabilitation Services (they may receive up to 20 hours of ORS Respite).
All families who participate in the Milestone Individual Respite Care Program are eligible to participate in Milestone’s Group Respite sessions free of charge. Group Respite is held twice a month at the Milestone Training Center. The Respite Program is conducted in a large gym. A wide variety of different sensory, fine and gross motor activities are provided.
- 4450 N.Rockton Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103
- Phone: 815-639-2973
Illinois Crisis Prevention Network
Trinity Services, Inc. and The Hope Institute for Children&Families are collaborating on a community based program called the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network. At the direction of the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network consists of highly trained professionals with extensive experience in the social service community. The teams are made up of skilled clinicians who work with individuals with severe behaviors and are struggling to maintain in their current home or placement. These behaviors can be difficult for families or staff to work with, disrupt their environment and can take an emotional toll on everyone living or working there. Team members can provide strategies to reduce or eliminate these behaviors, training for staff or caregivers to cope and work effectively with the clients and help locate resources in the community. The ultimate goal is to move from crisis management to crisis prevention.
- Rockford Office:
1214 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61104 - Email: info@icpn.us
Rockford Home Services Program (Department of Rehabilitation Services Office)
We will be serving up to ten families a month for a total of twenty hours per family. Families will be chosen on a first come/first serve basis with a wait list used if necessary. Eligibility criteria:
‘ Birth to twenty one
‘ Must have a medical diagnosis of a developmental disability
‘ Denial from DHS-DORS program or Milestone and cannot be used in conjunction with either program
‘ There are no income guidelines
Key services provided by HSP include personal assistant services, such as help with bathing, dressing, cooking and other daily tasks, as well as home modification and nursing care.
- 107 N. 3rd Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-987-4964, TTY: 888-340-1006
- Fax: 815-967-3768
The Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP) is a training/placement program that helps students with disabilities prepare to transition to employment and community participation during and after high school. Students learn to become productive, self-sufficient adults through a variety of STEP experiences. Assist students in developing desirable work habits and realistic career goals; provide opportunities for students to explore careers; offer meaningful work experiences through on-the-job placement; encourage students to develop the social and personal skills needed to maintain successful employment.
- 107 N. 3rd Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 815-967-3725
- Fax: 815-967-3722
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=36737
Office of Social Security&Disability Administration
Rockford regional office to apply for disability benefits. M-F 9-4.
- 502 East Jefferson Street
Rockford, IL 61107 - Phone: 877-628-6570
Toll Free: 800-772-1213
TTY: 815-987-4215
Goldie B. Floberg Center
Residential program for children age 5-18 years with a primary diagnosis of autism and/or developmental disability. Serves both ambulatory and non-ambulatory children. Offers Applied Behavioral Analysis by certified therapists for residents. DHS funds placement if approved. M-F 8:30-5.
- 58 West Rockton Road, P.O. Box 346
Rockton, IL 61072 - Phone: 815-624-8431
- Fax: 815-624-8461
Milestone, Inc. RocVale Children’s Home
RocVale is a residential facility for children with a primary diagnosis of developmental disability and requires a referral via Access Services of Northern Illinois. Offers many programs and services, including 24 hour medical staff, dietician, behavioral specialist, and consulting psychiatrist and psychologist. Children attend school in their primary district. Funding arranged via Access Services of Northern Illinois. Main office open M-F 8-4:30.
- 4450 N. Rockton Avenue
Rockford, IL 61103 - Phone: 815-639-2955 (Children’s Services)
- 4060 McFarland Road
(main administrative office)
Rockford, IL 61111 - Phone: 815-654-6100 (ask/press number for social services)
Walter Lawson Children’s Home
Residential program for non-ambulatory children with severe intellectual disabilities. Skilled Pediatric Nursing Facility (IDPH and ISBE certifified) with on-sight school. Daytraining program for young adults 21+. Birth-any age. Medicaid funded. Open 24/7.
- 1820 Walter Lawson Drive
Loves Park, IL 61111 - Phone: 815-633-6636
View Walter Lawson Brochure 1
View Walter Lawson Brochure 2
http://www.wlch.org
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