Easter Seals Disability Services

About Autism

• Autism 101
• 14 Signs of Autism
  
• In the United States, over one million individuals live with autism making it more prevalent than Down Syndrome, childhood diabetes and childhood cancer combined
  
• Autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per year
  
• A recent study done by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that the incidence of autism has risen dramatically in the 14 states it reviewed
  
• The study found that 1 in 150 children in the country have a diagnosis of autism
  
• Autism is a complex pervasive developmental disorder that involves the functioning of the brain
  
• Autism is a neurological disability and not simply a psychiatric disorder
  
• Typical characteristics may include problems with social relationships and emotional communication, as well as stereotyped patterns of interests, activities and behaviors
  
• Autism also involves problems with sensory integration
  
• Typically, autism appears during the first three years of life
  
• Autism is more prevalent in males than females
  
• In most cases of autism, the child is progressing normally and then begins to regress, losing speech, social skills and physical abilities
  
• While there are varying degrees of severity, some children completely withdraw into a world of their own
  
• Children do not outgrow autism
  
• Currently there is no cure. Autism may be a lifelong disability with a normal life expectancy
  
• Why Easter Seals and Autism?

About Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Autism Programs

• Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago has over 15 years experience providing services to children and adolescents with autism
  
• Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago currently operates four Autism Therapeutic Schools:
  
• Chicago
• Tinley Park
• Rockford
• Waukegan

Serving over 200 students and meeting the specialized needs of children with autism

• Easter Seals schools in Chicago and Tinley Park schools include After School and Adult Vocational programs

• Our state-of-the-art new Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research opened to students in 2008
  
• The goal of our Autism Therapeutic Schools is to empower each student to achieve peak academic performance and increase social and vocational skills for independence in his / her community
• Children are referred to Easter Seals by their school districts
• School districts are responsible for payment and tuition for services and programs provided
• Children are transported to an Easter Seals school by the school district
• Certified and qualified professional staff implement services and programs identified on the child's Individual Educational Plan (IEP)

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago's Autism Therapeutic Schools Provide:

• Educational and therapeutic services for children ages 3 through 21 with a primary diagnosis of autism, emotional behavioral disorders and / or learning disabilities
• Modified academic curriculum focusing on adaptive living skill
• Therapies including speech / language, occupational, social work, nursing, art and music
• Behavior consultation as well as vocational and community training
• A hot breakfast and lunch
• An extended school program during the summer months
• On-site After School Program
• On-site developmental training program

Professional Staff

• Special Education Teachers
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Pediatric Nurses
• Behavioral Management Specialists
• Clinical Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Child Psychiatrists / Medical Director
• Art and Music Therapists
• One-on-one Aides
• Vocational Coordinator / Instructors