Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago has over 15 years of experience providing services to children and adolescents with autism. Easter Seals is a premiere agency that provides educational and therapeutic services to over 200 children with autism. The new Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research campus will greatly expand Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School program in Chicago and enhance our outstanding Autism Therapeutic schools.

School districts from all around the Chicago area and its suburbs as well as in the Rockford region contract with Easter Seals to assist them in providing educational programs for children with autism who need an alternative school placement and helps them grow toward independence. The services and programs provided in the Easter Seals schools include:

• Small Teacher / Student Ratio
• Education
• Speech, Language and Communications Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Applied Behavior Therapy
• Social Work
• Health Related Services
• Transitional Services from School to Work
• Special Olympics
• Sensory Integration

The goal of the Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic Schools is to empower 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 one's community.

Easter Seals is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people. The schools promote a functional curriculum, encouraging students to become independent.

Our schools are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to serve students that meet the following requirements:

1. Students must be ages 3 through 21
2. Students must have a primary diagnosis of autism, emotional disability, cognitive or developmental delay
3. Student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must explicitly identify that Therapeutic Day Placement is the least restrictive environment for the child

Related services include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, vocational consultation and social work. Art therapy, music therapy and behavioral consultation are also offered as part of programming. In addition, every student receives a Functional Behavior Analysis developed under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Pre-Vocational Program (ages 3-14)

• Structured Classroom Environment
• Daily Living Skills
• Community Training Opportunities
• Special Olympics
• Multi-Disciplinary Team Planning

School-Adulthood Transition Program (ages 14-21 inclusive)

• All Pre-Vocational Program Services
• Work Skills/Vocational Skills
• Link to Community-Based Supports
• Field Trips

The intake process is initiated by the home school district.

Autism Therapeutic School - Chicago

Nicole Davenport, School Administrator
1939 West 13th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
ndavenport@eastersealschicago.org
Phone 312-432-1751
Fax 312-432-9140

Autism Therapeutic School - Rockford

Jacqueline Ruch, Program Manager
650 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
jruch@eastersealschicago.org
Phone 815-965-6745
Fax 815-965-6021

Autism Therapeutic School - Tinley Park

Maryellen Bucci, Program Manager
17300 Ozark Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
mbucci@eastersealschicago.org
Phone 708-802-9050
Fax 708-802-9898

Autism Therapeutic School - Waukegan

Jennifer Molawa, Program Manager
1401 West Dugdale Road, Building 33
Waukegan, IL 60085
jmolawa@eastersealschicago.org
Phone 847-625-2018
Fax 847-625-2985