About Us

 

More children will be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than AIDS, cancer, and diabetes combined. That’s why in 2003, The Hope Institute for Children and Families lead the development of The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP), to provide services and supports for the increasing number of children and their families. Through a service network of community agencies and university partners, TAP offers local programs and services based upon best practice standards and current research, impacting more than 16,000 families each year in Illinois. Network partners offer families local access to resources, innovative services, and supports to better understand ASDs and to provide a better quality of life for those individuals diagnosed on the spectrum.

In 2003, Public Act 93-0395 created the Autism Program of Illinois and the establishment of three Regional Centers. In FY2006, the Autism Program of Illinois expanded to include two affiliate centers.

In FY2008, The Autism Program of Illinois convened a statewide network of more than 27 agencies and universities devoted to meeting the needs of children with autism and their families forming The Autism Program of Illinois Service Network.

Today, TAP consists of:

Four University Partners -

  • University of Illinois-Chicago
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Illinois State University
  • University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana

Eight TAP Service Centers -

  • The Hope Institute
  • Charleston Transitional Facility
  • Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago
  • The Autism Program Service Center- Rockford (A program of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago)
  • Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington
  • UCP Heartland
  • Kreider Services, Inc.
  • Trinity Services, Inc.

Numerous Collaborative Partners, including -

  • Foundation for Autism Services Today & Tomorrow (FASTT)
  • Have Dreams
  • Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays (RCADD)
  • Little Friends, Inc.