Who We Are

 

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 30 community agency 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. 

Now, TAP has flourished to include five Training Centers:

  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • The Hope Institute for Children and Families
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Illinois State University
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

TAP also has seven Service Centers:

  • Charleston Transitional Facility
  • Easter Seals Children’s Development Center-Rockford
  • Easter Seals Metro Chicago
  • Easter Seals Peoria-Bloomington
  • UCP Easter Seals Heartland
  • Kreider Services, Inc.
  • Trinity Servies, Inc.

In addition, TAP has a number of collaborative and outreach partners including:

  • Easter Seals LaSalle and Bureau County
  • Illinois Center for Autism
  • American Academy of Pediatrics - Illinois Chapter
  • ARC of Illinois
  • Developmental Disability Services Metro East
  • Foundation for Autism Services Today & Tomorrow
  • Have Dreams
  • Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse
  • Little Friends Center for Autism