Statewide Conferences, Programs, Trainings and Workshops
Regional Events
Support Groups
The Autism Program of Illinois offers conferences, programs, workshops and trainings that demonstrate the leading best practice standards for diagnosis and treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Register here, unless indicated otherwise. For additional information, please contact Heather Winkler, Training Coordinator, at hwinkler@thehopeinstitute.us or call 217-525-8332.
Other events courtesy of our collaborators
Little Friends Center for Autism
Special Needs Future Planning (SNFP) associated with the Law Offices of Brian Rubin & Associates
Statewide Conferences, Programs, Trainings and Workshops
Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism—Chicago 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism is the first and largest national autism walkathon program, raising millions for autism research in communities across the country. The Fifth annual Chicago Walk Now for Autism will take place in Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. Meet other families, learn about community resources and take an active role in advancing autism research. For more information call (312) 832 -9900 or see http://www.walknowforautism.org/site/c.kpILKTOCJqG/b.3616651/
TAP 2 Setting Up Structured Teaching Classrooms
click here for flyerclick here for registration form
| June 9-13, 2008 | Springfield |
| June 16-20, 2008 | Northbrook |
| July 21-25, 2008 | Northbrook |
| August 4-8, 2008 | Rantoul |
Telehealth Consultation
The Autism Program of Illinois and the Southern Illinois University Telehealth Network present psychiatric and psychological consultation for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities.
Telehealth Networks are scheduled each month
Location for connection to be arranged
To register, contact Heather Winkler at 217-525-8332 or email hwinkler@thehopeinstitute.us
| Audience: | Psychologists, physicians, social workers and case managers |
| Sponsors: | The Autism Program, SIU Telehealth, The Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation |
| Presenters: | Varied including:
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| Cost: | No charge to participants. |
Regional Events
Building Social Relationships: A Systematic Approach to Teaching Social Interaction Skills to Children and Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum
Presented by Scott Bellini, Ph.D.
click here for flyer
| Date: | Friday, May 9, 2008 |
| Time: | 8:30am - 3:30pm |
| Location: | The Hope Institute for Children and Families 15 East Hazel Dell Lane Springfield, IL 62712 |
| Registration: | Please contact The Autism Program of Illinois at (217) 525-8332 |
Oakhill Wellness & Counseling Center SIBSHOP for Children with Siblings with Special Needs
Tuesdays – June 10, 17, 24, & July 1st from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Oakhill Wellness & Counseling Center1112 S. Washington St., Suite 112
Naperville, IL 60540
For Children ages 7-13 years old
Sibshop is not meant to be therapeutic but a fun, non-threatening experience where children have a chance to learn about their brother’s/sister’s disability and learn about themselves through interactive games and conversation. We allow children to express what it feels like to have a brother/sister with emotional or behavioral difficulties and to increase their self-esteem by helping them to discover their own unique talents and abilities.
Please contact Stacey Stewart at 630-717-9858, Ext. 6 for more information and registration.
Dr. Barry Prizant and the SCERTS® Model
click here for flyerJune 17, 2008
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Eastern Illinois University
Buzzard Auditorium
Room 1502
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Presents...
Essentials of Problem Based Learning: Facilitator Training, Curriculum Design, Problem Construction and Student Assessment
June 17-20, 2008; Springfield, Illinois
For complete workshop information and to register, log onto http://www.pbli.org/workshops/essentials_pbl.htm OR http://www.siumed.edu/cme/symposia.html.
The Mid-American Super Conference on Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in Dixon
July 17-18, 2008
The Dixon Historic Theatre
114 S. Galena Ave.
Dixon, IL
Register at: http://www.fhautism.com/conferences/dixon.htm
Support Groups
Autism Society of America Central Illinois Chapter (ASACIC)
Support Group Meeting
Limited childcare provided with reservation. Call (217) 241-2023 for more information.
Visit www.asacic.org for more information or email us at info@asacic.org.
Autism Support Group
Iroquois Mental Health Center
323 W. Mulberry St. (map)
Watseka, IL 60970
Meets second Tuesday of each month 6:00-7:00PM. Open to parents and other caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders. Limited child care provided with reservation. For more information, to register for child care, or to be added the mailing list, call 815-432-5241
| Contact: | Heidi Wilken |
| Phone: | 815-432-5241 |
| Email: | hwilken@imhc.net |
Chicago Southside Autism Support Group
Secretary: Miriam McCann
Contact phone: 773-726-2550
University of IL at Chicago
1747 West Roosevelt Road
(map)
Chicago, IL
Meets: Every Third Saturday of the month from September-June, 10:00 am until 2:00 pm No meetings in December, July, or August. Family recreation opportunities throughout the year.
Free lunch and respite care is available. Note: we often have pizza for lunch; those with dietary restrictions should bring their own food. Respite care for kids with autism requires ADVANCE reservations.
Visit the website: http://www.chicagoautism.org for more information on meetings and family recreation events. Chat with us: We have an active yahoo message board/listserve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagosouthsideautismchapter/
East Central Illinois Autism Support Group
The East Central Illinois Autism Support Group meets on the Third Thursday of the month at 7pm. Meetings usually consist of a speaker and topic discussion that is open to everyone. Private time for families is also available to meet and discuss issues involving Autism and Asperger's, Picky Eating, Augmentative Communication, Sensory Issues, Behavioral Problems, and more. Meetings are held at The Autism Program @ CTF building at 689 Castle Drive, Charleston, Illinois. For additional information contact the Support Group Coordinator, Alicia Hart at 217-348-3869 ext. 14 or email at alicia.hart@mchsi.com
The Autism Society of Illinois
Champaign-Urbana Autism Network
Project Coordinator: Sheila Krein
Assistant Coordinator: Sally Mustered
Contact phone: 217/621-8429
Meets: Every First Thursday of the month from September-May - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Doris Kelley Christopher Hall
904 W. Nevada
Urbana, IL 61801
Visit the Website: http://cuautismnetwork.org for more information and to register children with autism for swimming and their siblings for the Sibling Support Group or children 5 and under for child care.
Listserve: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cuan-listserve/
Autism Society of Illinois website: http://autismillinois.org
Grupo SALTO — A support group for Latino parents
Sponsored by UIC Department of Disabilities and Human Development 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd. (MC727) Chicago, IL 60608-6904
Meets once a month (usually the third Saturday) from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Open to Latino parents and other caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders. Education sessions for parents are provided in Spanish.
Limited child care provided with reservation. For information about meeting dates, to become a member, register for child care, or to be added to the mailing list, call Matie Ovalle at (312) 996-0903
Peoria Regional ASA Chapter forming
First meeting to be held in early Spring. If interested or would life further information, please contact Dianne Parrish at 309-692-6128.
Wanted: Volunteer with good database skills who can assist in setting up the Peoria Regional ASA Chapter’s database. Please contact Dianne if you are interested.
Saturday Respite Program For Adolescents with Asperger's/High Functioning Autism
Little Friends, Inc.
Lifeskills Training Center for Children with Autism (LTCCA)
It is the mission of Little Friends, Inc. to empower children and adults with special challenges to live, learn, work, and participate in the community.
What is the purpose of the Saturday Respite Program?
- To provide age-appropriate socio-recreational activities geared toward the client's interests.
- To provide adolescents with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism a social environment that is consistent and structured.
- To provide families whose adolescents have a developmental disability with a break one Saturday per month.
How often will I receive Respite services?
- You will receive one Saturday per month of Respite Services.
- Dates of attendance are the last Saturday of every month. ? Parents are responsible for dropping their child off at the Lifeskills Training Center for Children with Autism, located in Glen Ellyn between 10-10:30am on the last Saturday of the month.
- Will participate in age-appropriate socio-recreational activities with five other adolescent children during the day.
- Parents are responsible for picking their child up at the end of the day between 4-4:30pm.
Cost: $25.00 per Saturday.
Ages: Must be between the ages of 12 and 16 years old at intake. Saturday Respite is for adolescents with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism between the ages of 12 and 18 years old.
Community Training: Will engage in activities that are age-appropriate, interesting to the client, characteristic for typical peers their age, and which could transition to home. The community training is facilitated through augmentative systems that allow the clients to decide as a group of peers the activities to be planed for the day, as well as encouraging appropriate peer interaction, and practicing community skills such as ordering food and paying for purchases.
Sample Activities Include: Going out for lunch, picnics, movies, zoo, bowling, laser tag, arcades, walks, museums, games etc.
| For more information, contact: | Lauren Friedrich, Respite Coordinator Little Friends, Inc. 851 Bloomingdale Rd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 939-2005 |