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Specıal ParenChiCago

SPRiNg 2012

AN EMPOWERMENT G

For betteror worseCouples can survive

special needs

5 trips foryour family

Nowwhat?After thediagnosis



2 | Specıal ParentChiCago

Spring 2012 | ChicagoParent.com

Providing programs that will enhancesocialization skills, improve self-helpskills, build self-esteem, and developfine and gross motor skills.

E x p l o r e N e w W o

r l d s w i t h

S p e c i a l R e c

r e a t i o n !

Special Recreation Associations (SRAs) offer fun recreationa

leisure programs as well as inclusion services to children, tee

and adults with disabilities through member park districts and

recreation departments. To learn more or to find the SRA in

your area, see our display ad in the Resource Directory or vis

www.specialrecreation.org.www.specialrecreation.org

Adaptive Sports

Art

Dance

Inclusion

Music

Paralympic Sports

Social Clubs

Special Events

Special Olympics

Swim Lessons

Summer Camps

Trips



ChicagoParent.com | Specıal ParentChiCago

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I n

s i d e

FEATURES19 Starting the special needs journey

Three moms share what they’ve learned

23 Get away from the everydayFive ideas for families with kids on the spectrum, plus an

interview with the Schaumburg mom behind TravelinWheels

27 Love, marriage & special needsIt takes work, but couples can survive a disability

31 ‘People live up to expectations’Students with intellectual disabilities

experience college and jobs

ON THECOVERGrace Driscoll ofPalos ParkPHOTO: Liz DeCarloDESIGN: Mark Tatara

IN OUR SHOES 8 Two special trike fair

10 My Life: He can hearOur children are not simply‘managed,’ they need resp

12 My Life: Sugar highSurviving life with autism adiabetes

13 My Life: Challenge, land early interventioSimple reminders helped tsee her boys thrive

14 Day of play: The insid

16 InterviewOut of frustration came ins

17 News you can use

RESOURCES A hideout for kids with autismin Glen Ellyn

INSPIRATIONS Teen tumbles, cheers to first pla

4 | Specıal ParentCHICAGO

Spring 2012




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Katie Driscoll doesn’t see Down syn-drome when she looks at her baby.She just sees a special little girl

she named Grace, someone who is full of potential, hopes and dreams, despite whatthose who don’t know her might suspect.

“I want her to be independent, happy,have friends, get married, have kids,” shetold us.

“... I don’t want her life to be atragedy.”

No parent does. No one sets out tohave a child with special needs. When thepregnancy test comes back positive, all ourhopes and dreams and planning are for a happy, healthy baby. So when doctors deliver the news that something is wrong, it’s only natural to feel sadness over the loss of our dreams for our child.

But as the parents throughout this issue show us, the dreamsdon’t have to die because of special needs. They simply change.

Imagine if Debbie and Gene Walega gave up on their littlegirl, Sabrina. They would have missed out on watching herclimb her way to the top of her sports of gymnastics, cheer-leading and dance. Or imagine if Dawn and Gordon Spahrgave up on hoping their daughter would go to college. They would have missed out on the chance to see Tess earning A’s

and dreaming about a career.The key, parents tell us, is leavin

door open for our children to push

selves, to experience failure and suc And yes, we have to advocate for thmake opportunities that might not wise exist or get them the services tneed, starting with early interventiohelp them reach their potential.

Fortunately, more opportunitiesthan ever exist for children with speneeds to aim high. From growing acto iPads and other devices to help thlearn and communicate to Aspiritec

creation program and sports programs that train elite athleparents and therapists are transforming the future for child with special needs—just as our kids have changed us.

“She transformed our family,” Driscoll says about Graceare different people than we were two years ago.”

The path to success

FRoM ThE EDiToRS

LiZ

DECaRLo

Editor

TaMaRa L.

o’ShaUghNESSY

Editor



MaRiaN CaSEY isthe executive director

of A.S.K- Answers for

Special Kids, a resource

and advocacy organiza-

tion that serves the

needs of parents ofchildren with special

needs throughout

northeastern Illinois. She

is an attorney, active on

a number of communityboards, and the mother

of a child with special

needs.

ShEEBa DaNiEL-

CRoTTY, Ph.D., is a

clinical psychologistwho focuses on child,

adolescent and fam-

ily psychotherapy and

evaluation. She special-

izes in the assessmentand treatment of neu-

robehavioral disorders,

learning disabilities

and social-emotional

problems.

CaRa LoNg, a reg-

istered nurse and a

mom of three, including

one born with Downsyndrome, is a state-cre-

dentialed parent liaison

at Easter Seals DuPage

and the Fox Valley

Region. She has workedwith families as a sup-

port parent and public

awareness speaker for

the National Association

for Down Syndrome.

DEiDRE PaTE

oMahEN, CTRS, is a

certified recreational

therapist. She is the

director of programs atNational Lekotek Center,

a therapeutic play

program in Chicago.

She has presented at

numerous conferences

on topics such as usingcomputers for children

with disabilities, assis-

tive technology and toy

adaptation.

LaRRY REiNER, Ed.D.CPRP, with a doctoral

degree in counseling,

health and adult edu-

cation, was executive

director of NEDSRA for

33 years. He is highlyregarded for leadership

in creating recreation

opportunities for kids

and adults with special

needs. He is currentlyexecutive director of

Success, a management

consulting firm.

DR. aLaN

RoSENBLaTT

specialist in neudevelopmental

atrics who has

involved in med

advocacy and e

efforts on behadren with speci

and their famili

local, state and

levels.

oUR aDViSoRY BoaRD



EDITORS Liz DeCarlo, Tamara L. O’Shaughnessy

aRT DIREcTOR Claire Innes

EDITORIal DESIgnERS Alaina Buzas, Mark Tatara

aSSISTanT EDITOR Elizabeth Diffin

DIgITal cOnTEnT EDITOR Carrie Kaufman

cOnTRIBUTIng WRITERS Robyn Monaghan,

Dan Campana, Cindy Richards

PHOTO EDITOR J. Geil

cOnTRIBUTIng PHOTOgRaPHER Frank Pinc

managER Of InTERnET anD TEcHnOlOgy

Graham Johnston

DISPlay aD SalES Walter Burden,

Dawn Engelhardt, Kelly Montero,

Lourdes Nicholls, Karen Skinner

SalES anD maRKETIng cOORDInaTOR

Sandi Pedersen

aD PRODUcTIOn managER Philip Soell

aD DESIgn managER Andrew Mead

aD DESIgn Elisha-Rio Apilado, Debbie Becker,

Evan O’Brien

cIRcUlaTIOn managER Kathy Hansen

DISTRIBUTIOn cOORDInaTOR Alan Majeski

cIRcUlaTIOn aSSOcIaTE Mike Braam

cREDIT managER Debbie Zari

BOOKKEEPER Diane Eggers

cOllEcTIOnS Charlie Kelly

______

PUBlISHER Dan Haley

vP/OPERaTIOnS DIREcTOR Andrew Johnston

cOmPTROllER Ed Panschar

PHOnE (708) 386-5555

faX (708) 524-0447

EDITORIal

[email protected]

DISPlay aDS

[email protected]

claSSIfIED aDS

[email protected]

cIRcUlaTIOn

[email protected]

WEB SITE ChicagoParent.com

Our offices are at 141 S. Oak Park Ave.,

Oak Park, Illinois 60302.

Office hours for all departments

are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

© 2012 Wednesday Journal, Inc.

All rights reserved.

STaFF

CoNTaCT


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O u r S h o e s

Gordon and Connie Hankins can puttogether a tricycle with an ease that would make any parent green with

jealousy. Of course, that’s because they’vedone the same thing about 1,000 times

before.These aren’t your ordinary trikes, but thenagain, Gordon, 75, and Connie, 69, aren’t yourordinary retirees. The Naperville grandpar-ents of two boys have spent the past 16 yearsadapting tricycles and giving them away tochildren with special needs.

They take regular tricycles and outfit them with foot containments, padded seatbacksand, sometimes, custom handlebars. Connie,a former surgical nurse, says the trikes areprimarily used by children with cerebral palsy,spina bifida and Down syndrome to develop theirmuscles. But it also helps them socially and increases

their confidence.“You see the joy and the happiness, not only of the

child, but of the parents,” Connie says. “It’s just soheartwarming.”

The Hankinses found out about the tricycle pro-gram, Therapy Oriented Tricycles, through retireegroup Telecom Pioneers at Lucent Technologies, whereGordon used to work. As soon as Connie heard about

it, she knew it was a perfect fit.It took a little longer for Gordon to

catch the vision, but he says, “Once you do it while, you get hooked. You want to do more.

such a need out there.” Families generally hear about the project

word-of-mouth, and the Hankinses have taketo hospitals, therapists and homes throughouChicagoland area.

On the Internet, Gordon notes, adaptive tcost as much as $4,000. So the Hankinses degive away the trikes for free.

Families must provide a “therapist’s letter mendation” completed by a medical professiothe Hankinses know the tricycle is something

benefit the child. And the benefits are truly huge, both

children and for themselves. Connie says

a lot of thank you notes and pictures frlies and have received news from childrhave learned to walk or ride a two-whe

receiving a trike. They love telling thea little girl who received a trike

tucks it into bed every night“It honestly is such a b

to do it,” Connie says. “Ithat it’s what I’m suppodoing.”

Elizab

Two special trike fairies

How To He X Contact Gordon aConnie at (630) 355or [email protected]

X All checks can beout to Telecom Pioneand sent to Gordon &Connie Hankins, 440Bluff Circle, Napervi60540.


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Our house is abuzz with out-of-town visitors. I am in the pantry prepar-ing my neurotypical kids’ breakfast,

gluten-free microwaveable pancakes andbanana slices. The light bulb is out, so Iam feeling around for the right stuff withthe dying light of a Star Wars light saberto guide me. I have to do this in the dark with the door closed because if my son withautism, Noah, sees the perfectly round,caramel-colored, factory-made pancakes, he will lose it.

He is sitting in a chair (a HUGE victory!)

at the kitchen island, watching snippets of “Cinderella” in Polish and Arabic on his iPad.No matter how I try to make his “specialpancakes”—forged together from organicchicken, carrots and bananas—look like hissiblings’, it’s impossible.

It bothers him that his breakfast isdifferent.

A house guest, my good friend, takes theseat next to him. She addresses my daughter who has just entered the room. “Good morn-ing, Madeleine! How’d ya sleep, beauty?What’s for breakfast this morning?”

“Oh, I would love some of that yummy

stuff you brought, that layered thing?”The “layered thing” is a decadent strudel.

While normally prominently displayed, this year my friend’s epicurean perfection wasrelegated to the garage along with the restof the party food people with normal bowelscan eat.

“OK,” my friend says, then she altersher voice to sound like a whisper, but it isstill the volume of normal conversation.“Shhhhh, I tell you what... I will go get it outof the garage, but we have to hide it becauseNoah can’t see it. You guys get some platesand I’ll meet you upstairs in the TV room.”

I step out and survey the scene, careful tokeep the unholy pancakes from Noah’s lineof vision.

“He can hear you,” I say to my friend. Shelooks at me. “Noah,” I said. “He can hear you.” She looks at me, then down at him.“He can? No. You think?”

He looks at me, back at her and thendown at his iPad.

This friend is a good one. She wasdragged, kicking and screaming, into ourreality. Doctor after doctor, test after test. Shelistened. She became a believer. She startedtelling her friends. Her friends started tellingtheir friends. She’s been a great asset fromthe outside. For her loyalty and understand-ing, I will be forever grateful.

Even the good ones, though, struggle with how to treat our kids from time to time.In all honestly, so do we.

My mama bear instincts kicked in. “Yes,”I said. “I know he can hear you. He is notdeaf.”

“Oh,” she said as she got up to getthe strudel she and my neurotypical kids would share as they giggled and played and watched “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” in the TV room.

A lot can be said in an “oh.”She did not see that if it was Liam sitting

at that island, she would have showered him

with kisses and offered him the bigof strudel. She did not see that if itsitting there, she would have launchow gorgeous she looked. But she acknowledge Noah and talked to thabout hiding food from him. Then him.

I know, because he is smart as hhe found it patronizing. But darn ifused to it.

When Noah was first diagnosedin 2008, I read an article explaininparents tend to ascribe characteristtheir “autistic” child that do not reaCharacteristics like compassion, thness, altruism. The scholarly articleto claim that moms, especially the achieving professional moms of mytion, need to believe these things achildren, but they have no foundatreality.

In the beginning, when you are

My LiFe

He can hear youOur children are not simply to be ‘managed,’ they need respect BY

Noah and mom, LJ, share his first allergen free birthday cake




Spring

as the precious baby you once knew driftsaway, you will listen to just about anyone who claims to know what they are talk-ing about. Desperation does not begin todescribe the terror in your heart.

For some reason, as my friend uninten-tionally was dissing my son, this article cameto mind. And then I thought about what this

Christmas vacation must have been like forNoah.For the most part, he was handled.

Managed. Dealt with.His feelings were discounted. Things

that would have been whispered behind thebacks of neurotypical children in an effort tospare their feelings were said in earshot of Noah. For some reason, everyone was givenpermission to discuss him, his business, hisdisabilities, his weaknesses, his bowels, hisbehavior, in front of him.

Myself included.My heart filled with remorse for all the

times I could have spared Noah’s feelings,for all the times I spoke about him in frontof him, for all the times I talked about himlike a project to be managed, a deliverable toexecute.

I hate to disparage the experts, but IKNOW Noah’s character. He is a brilliantchild. He is smart, funny and has a bitingsarcastic streak. He cares deeply for others.He cries at the sight of injustice. He revels inthe accomplishments of his siblings. He lovescoco loco bars, ska and classical music. Heis vain. He does not like when people mess with his Justin Bieber hair. He loves swim-

ming, “Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!” and art class with his teacher, Ms. Pam. He has PANDASravaging his brain, measles in his intestines.He fights diseases that were introduced tohis immune system iatrogenically. He is sick.Terribly, terribly sick.

He feels things, just like the rest of us do.His feelings get hurt, just like ours do.HE CAN HEAR.What is it about our culture that allows us

to treat the injured among us with less con-sideration while simultaneously congratulat-ing ourselves for tolerating them?

I need to change, my friends need tochange. We all need to change for these chil-dren. Noah and others like him are entitledto our respect—and—our admiration.

LJ Goes is a contributing editor for the blog, Age of Autism, ageofautism.com, and execu-tive board member of the Illinois Canary Party, canaryparty.org. She is a writer, activ-ist and mom to three children.

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“How long has your son beendiabetic?” the ER nurseasked.

“My son is not diabetic,” I responded.“Well, his blood sugar is reading at

over 800, so yes, he is diabetic,” she said. At that point, the room started spin-

ning and my tears started flowing.My son’s blood sugar was so high he

had ketoacidosis. High levels of ketonesare like poison to your body. He couldhave died.

I have never been so scared in my life.How could my sweet little boy handle

getting shots every day? How was I evengoing to be able to give him shots?

We spent one week in the hospital while I had Diabetes 101 training. Withina few days, his blood sugar returned tonormal range.

As we waited to be released, I heard a woman screaming and running down thehall. “No, not my baby!”

A shudder went through my body and Icould not stop crying. Why was I the lucky one who got to take my child home whilethis other mother was holding her lifelesschild for the last time?

I knew that no matter how hard it wasgoing to be, I would do everything in my

power to keep my son healthy. Before long,though, we were going to face anotherchallenge.

Autism.I secretly hoped that some of Brian’s

speech and social skills delays had to do with the undiagnosed diabetes and nowthat we were getting that under control, he

would have an explosion of languskills.

That didn’t happen. I walked int

kindergarten orientation telling his I suspected he had autism. So our jobegan into the world of autism, psyone-on-one aides and IEPs.

It has been a rough road.My happiness started to revolve

son coming home from school withfaces on his chart. There have beenbad days and I am sure there will bmore. We have been very blessed wteam of nurses, special ed teachers,pathologists, a social worker and a aide who truly loves my son. These see beyond his issues to what a trulkid he is, with unlimited potential.

Now, every year on the anniversgetting the diabetes diagnosis, I saythanking God for letting us keep himprayer for that mother who had to sbye to her child on that same day.

Mary Higgins is a stay-at-home mokids she describes as amazing.

My LiFe

Sugar highSurviving life with autism and diabetes

Read about Mary Higgins and herwith autism at planetb365.wordp

I knew that no matterhow hard it was going tobe, I would do everythingin my power to keep myson healthy.

BY MARY

Check the website for information,calendar of events, or more ways

to get involved.

email: [email protected]

UPS for DOWNS is a parent directednon-profit organization offering support,

education, and encouragement forparents, families, and others who love

and care about persons with Downsyndrome. We inspire communityacceptance by sharing with others the

presence, potential and abilities of peoplewith Down syndrome.

www.upsfordowns.org

Is your child diagnosed with an

Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Does your child enjoy playing

computer games?

If you answered “yes,” your child may

be eligible to participate in a research

study on a computerized facial affect recognition training program.

To learn more about this study,

please contact:

Jason Johnson, B.S.

Rush University Medical Center

Rush Neurobehavioral Center

847-763-7988

[email protected]

ORA: 09112201-IRB01 Date IRB Approved:

5/23/2011 Amendment Date: 11/8/2011

Does your child struggle knowing

when someone is happy or

surprised - angry or scared?




Spring

I

t’s not something any parent

wants to hear, but when my son, Anthony, was 2, my sister-in-law suggested something wasawry.

Because she is an experiencedmom of four, with one child withspecial needs, I listened. I immedi-ately took him to the doctor whohad been taking care of me since I was 11. His opinion: Don’t worry.Boys just develop slower than girls.Not convinced, I took Anthony to ateam of specialists, who diagnosedattention deficit disorder, atten-

tion hyperactivity deficit disorder,mental retardation and autism.

As much as I was hurt by thenews, I was more concerned abouthelping my son who always seemed to meto be a happy, healthy boy.

As the months passed, Anthony was offi-cially diagnosed with developmental delay and I enrolled him in a school for pre-K chil-dren with special needs. My family didn’tbelieve he belonged there.

Because physical therapy wasn’t an option with his diagnosis, I also enrolled him insports, much to the embarrassment of themen in my family. Yes, there were timeshe would throw himself on the grass, butI would make him support his teammatesby clapping, passing out drinks and helpingclean up.

My lesson to him was never to give upand always to finish what you start.

When Anthony started kindergarten, hestarted getting speech and social develop-ment occupational therapy. He made greatprogress for two years, then suffered asetback when staff changed. Given his greatprogress, the doctor concluded Anthony haspervasive developmental disorder-not other- wise specified.

Little did I know more

lenges were ahead when birth in April 2010 to my child, Vincent, who was bDown syndrome.

The news was so devaing that I sheltered myselfriends and family, even mThe first couple of weeksoverwhelming.

At his two-week checkdoctor understood exactlfelt. She said I would havhim a lot of love.

Soon, six therapists vi

Vincent to create an earlytion plan. I thought he w young, but doctors told mlonger you wait for interv

the longer it takes to meet mileston They were right. Vincent has sh

improvement. He is alert, sits up bystands and cruises around his crib,how to set off the sounds of his favknows how to clap and responds to

What the early intervention teame is to care, push and show moretough situations. Seeing how far mhave come has helped me turn my

abilities into their abilities.

Luz Colindres is a Guatemalan-Ammom of three, Anthony, Nina and She hopes by sharing her story, she vince more Latino parents, some of says are reluctant to ask for help, tearly intervention.

My LiFe

Challenge, love and early interventiSimple reminders helped this mom see her boys thrive BY LUZ C

What the early interventionteam showed me is to care,push and show more love in

tough situations.

Luz Colindres with her children, Nina, Anthony and Vincent.

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The winter months and early springdays can be a real challenge forparents and kids with special needs.

Even though it’s recommended that chil-dren get one hour of exercise per day,snow and cold may keep kids inside.Children with compromised immune sys-tems or respiratory issues need to be extracautious when the windows get frosty andthe wind blows.

Never fear, parents, you can rise to thechallenge and get your kids active with anindoor day of play.

Morning preparationGet things jumping with time on a

trampoline. We like the sft Trmpln for indoors by One Step Ahead with agrab bar that gives kids extra balance.Contests are a great way to make it fun,so count jumps and create a jump chart.Take breaks and return throughout theday, adding up the jumps to set a newdaily record and reward the child withstickers, praise and pride. Hopping (onefoot or two) and jumping withouta trampolinealso is agood option.

Morning activityChildren love to imitate, so why not

let them do the grocery shopping? Startby making a sign and decorating it withthe store’s name. Then raid your pantry and stock the shelves (kitchen chairs work nicely). Older kids can decide onprices and put stickers on food items. Usekitchen towels to drape the shelves andstack cans to create displays. Then have

your kids shop theaisles. Give thempennies, peanuts or

pretend money topay for their items.Older kids can dothe math and makethe change. (Greatlesson in makingchoices with limitedfunds!) Give your kidsa cart to put items in(the Crz Cup by Little Tikes is a greataddition to the fun)or use a box or basket.Make it physical by

having kids push thecarts to see how fast they can get acrossthe kitchen or fill the cart with heavy items and see how far they can push it. Take a trip to lunch

Since the weather outside can befrightful, plan an imaginary trip with apicnic lunch. You can bring in a favorite wagon like the Rd & Rlx wn by Little Tikes. Pack their lunches, bring upsome pieces of luggage and tell the kidsto pack their favorite stuffed animals

to bring along. Whether you have thechildren pull the wagon or merely lineup the kitchen chairs and pretend it is atrain, add all you can to the illusion of amake-believe trip. Then eat!

Afternoon funKeep the inventiveness going by bring-

ing something that is usually outsideinside for the afternoon activities. Maybeit’s a small basketball set like the Ttprte scr Bktbll st by Little Tikes.Replace the ball with a set of balloons,allowing the kids to be active and havefun without doing any damage. Balloonsare also easier to throw for children whohave weaker gross motor skills.

The balloons can even inspire a pre-tend trip to the beach where they becomebeach balls full of fun.

You can incorporate more jumping by

doing some war jumps and then turns jumping u

dunk the ball. ( jumps to your juchart for this, t

Afternoonfinale

Have kids ttheir final turnthe trampolinhopping arouand then serva healthy snaand digest th

What was their favorite part? Do thfeel stronger from all the activity? Wideas can they come up with to havtomorrow?

For more play ideas and toys fodren with special needs, go to ableporg. This website was created by thNational Lekotek Center to encourachildren of all abilities to experiencbenefits of play.

Deidre Pate Omahen is director of p grams at the National Lekotek CentChicago, a member of the Chicago S

Parent advisory board and a mom.

The inside way BY DEIDRE PATE OM

Day oF PLay

SafetyTrampoline

CrazyCoupe

TotsportEasy ScoreBasketballSet




Spring

For more information, visit ChicagoParent.com

Chicago Parent is your special needs resource

Chicago Parent covers special needs topics all year round. You can also find these supplemental

magazines and special sections.

Specıal ParentCHICAGO

SUMMER2011

ANEMPOWERMENTGUIDEFROM

THE

play’sTHEthingInteractive theater for kids with autism

Soundof music

Therapy findsnew role

296resourcesyou need

ChicagoSpecialParent_Su 011_01.indd 1 6/30/11 :15 PM

MayChicago Parent Special Needseditorial features

JulyChicago Special Parent Summer

September Chicago Parent Special Needseditorial features

FebruaryChicago Special Parent Spring

September2011 FREE

Real.Happy.Families.


Left behindThe deportation dilemma

Get over themommy guilt

50 fall festivals

Ways to getinto the spirit

nightFriday

lights

A

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Rejected?Teach your kidsto bounce back

Mom bashingWhen gossip gets nasty

Fussyeater?Is momto blame?

A

Specıal ParentChiCago

SPRiNg 2012 AN EMPOWERMENTGUIDE FROM

For better or worseCouples c an survive special needs

5 trips f or your f amily

Now what?Af ter the diagnosis

c ec en _ n _ . n

/ / 7





BY DAN CAMPANA

E

llen Sternweiler could tell

the 8-year-old girl didn’t feelcomfortable.The girl, with her younger sister

and her parents, had come into TheSensory Kids Store at Bellybum Boutiqueshortly after it opened. The mothertold Sternweiler the girl showed signsof sensory issues, but was otherwiseundiagnosed.

“I said to her, ‘You know what, thisstore is for you. You can walk around andtouch and feel. It’s all cool, fun stuff,’”Sternweiler recalls. “After a few minutes,they are rolling around the store. Her

daughter was happy, really digging it.”The moment is affirmation for

Sternweiler—a mother of three, two withdevelopmental difficulties—who openedThe Sensory Kids Store in late 2011 afterrepeated frustration with the struggle tofind the right products for her children.

The store, one of just five designedspecifically for families of children withspecial needs, offers a select variety of developmental toys, therapeutic aidesand sensory clothing. All items are alsoavailable online at bellybumboutique.com under “sensory kids.” The page,

while still being perfected, is designed with simplified terms for ease of naviga-tion. Sternweiler avoided clinical termsand rigid categories, opting instead forsense-specific terms, such as “see” or“using my eyes.”

That approach is in contrast to thetypical shopping experience. For mostparents with special needs, tracking

down good adaptive toys or thecorrect piece of medical equipmentinvolves sifting through hundredsof choices, shopping in warehouse-type stores or having to buy in quantitiesbeyond what a normal family needs oruses, Sternweiler says.

“Every parent who is like me under-stands what this is like,” Sternweiler says.

“Parents like me know what they need. We just can’tfind it anywhere.”

Growing main-stream understand-ing of the preva-lence of children

with special needsonly made it morefrustrating that theretail world wasn’tgetting it, she says.

“Having differencesis the norm these days. The bottom lineis that the awareness has grown, butthe rest of the world hasn’t caught up,”Sternweiler says.

She used all of that as motivation forthe thousands of hours working withmanufacturers, doctors and therapists,reading reviews and talking to otherparents as part of the planning to create

The Sensory Kids Store.The benefit to parents is they ca

comfortable knowing they don’t hastruggle through the decision-makprocess. If it’s in Sternweiler’s store

the best of the best available.“It’s bright and fun and non-clin

she says. “I don’t want to walk into warehouse.”

The Sensory Kids Store occupiehalf of Sternweiler’s Bellybum Boulocated at 4347 N. Lincoln Ave. inChicago and is open Wednesday thSunday, and on Monday by appoinEarly response has been strong.

“Everyone is just flipping out,”Sternweiler says, especially when aent realizes the store has a particulitem. “I see them breathing a sigh relief. The excitement is building.”

For Sternweiler, the change in cpath that led her to Bellybum, andSensory Kids, speaks to her passionhelping others and a desire to “givback.”

“This has been an exciting journfar,” she says.

INTERVIEW

Out of frustration came inspiratio

The Sensory Kid store caters tospecial needs

Find The Sensory Kid Store online

visiting bellybumboutique.com. Belly

is also on Facebook and at twitter.com

BellyBumMom.

For information, call (773) 8680

email [email protected].

Everyone is just flippingout... The excitement isbuilding.

ELLEN STERNWEILER

Owner, The Sensory Kids Store




Spring

News you CaN use

One phone call could change BrendaWeitzberg’s world and the lives of hundreds more.

In 2007, Weitzberg and her husband,Moshe, began the journey to createHighland Park-based Aspiritech, a non-profit that trains high-functioning adults onthe autism spectrum to be software testers.

The inspiration for Aspiritech sparkedafter the Weitzbergs’ son, who has Asperger’s syndrome, was fired from agrocery store job. What they found wasan extremely high unemployment rate foradults with autism.

“For years, no one was talking aboutadults with autism,” Weitzberg says. “I’mespecially proud of the movement to bringattention to adults and young adults.”

Aspiritech’s work is unique in the UnitedStates, although it follows the model of aDanish company. The idea is to put high-functioning workers on what Aspiritechdescribes as highly repetitive, task-driven work.

“They are highly specialized. There’s a

place for them, we just need the right fit,”Weitzberg explains. “We didn’t know if people like our son and others could do thistype of work.”

As it turns out, they can. Aspiritech hastrained 20 software testers and has 13 on itspayroll. Since its pilot project in 2009 withmFluent, which designs cell phone applica-tions, Aspiritech has worked with, amongothers, cars.com and salesforce.com.

Aspiritech has drawn considerable atten-tion. Its waiting list has grown to about1,000 people, Weitzberg says.

That waiting list and her hopes for addi-

tional funding and contracts to secure living wages for Aspiritech’s current testers keepher up at night, she says.

Revenue increased from $75,000 in 2010to $175,000 to end 2011. Weitzberg expectsmore grant money in 2012; still, businessdevelopment is a key concern. The organi-zation is in talks with a few big companies,but Weitzberg quickly has learned how longand arduous the process can be.

A good sign, according to Weitzberg,

is that “the foundations are comin with grant opportunities. “I have hopes for 2012.”

Weitzberg realizes Aspiritech ismall steps in its mission, but the tion remains focused on seeing its

expand to other geographic and bareas, while continuing to inspire replicate their model.

That means a need for more bi work, which is where that one phcould make all the difference.

“Come try us out. Give us a triaprove it to you,” Weitzberg offers, viated pitch to businesses.

Dan

Working to build a betterfuture for adults on the spectrum

X To learn more about Aspirit

visit aspiritech.org. You can als

it at facebook.com/aspiritech.

Hypoallergenic laundry detergentIf you have a child with allergies or sensitive skin, Eco Nuts,

a environmentally friendly laundry detergent company, hasintroduced a new hypoallergenic liquid detergent that elimi-nates the need for fabric softener and dryer sheets.

The detergent is made from soap nut extract, which comes from a soap-bearing berry, andtwo other natural ingredients to preserve andstabilize it for a long shelf life.

The detergent is starting to appear onstore ande-storeshelvesthroughoutthe U.S. Forinformation, visit eco-nutssoap.com.

Foldable wheelchair may be goodMaddak Inc., manufacturer of Aids for Daily Living, h

developed a foldable wheelchair wheel that will enable chair users to get their wheelchair and wheels into and of a car with greater ease, and may make it possible to k wheelchairs inside the cabin of a plane.

The folding feature of the wheel sets it apart fromall other wheels on the market. After the wheel isdisconnected from the frame it can be foldedinto a compact form for easy transport orstorage.

For more information, call(973) 628-7600 or visitmaddak.com.





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Those are among the first questions Evon Mucek-Kucharczyk hears over and over when parents with a new baby or a child newly diagnosed with special needs walk through her doors.

Getting parents over those fears is one of the first steps, saysMucek-Kucharczyk, administrator of children’s services and a

developmental therapist at Aspire in Hillside.The key, she says, is helping parents really see their chi

a different lens—not just their special needs, but their sand then building everything from there.

“It takes a lot of work, a lot of intensely focusing on she says.

Three local moms who are balancing home lifedeveloping siblings and special needs—Katie Driscoll, Roland Beata McCann—know just how hard those first daydiagnosis can be and the effort it takes not to buy into ththat the dreams for their children are lost.

Starting the special needs journThree moms share what they’ve learned to help others by TAMARA L. O’SHAUG

Katie Driscoll wants Grace to have all the opportunities and dreams as her five little boys.

Continued on page 20 W

ill my child be able to play

with other kids? Are people

looking at me? How do I

understand this child?


Spring



JoURNEY from page 19

‘My child will be a success story’Two years ago, Down syndrome was just a word to Katie Driscoll.

Then doctors discovered the baby she was carrying, Grace, had Downsyndrome.

“We were scared and sad,” she remembers.But Driscoll, a Palos Park mom who already had five little boys at

home, isn’t the kind of mom who lets fear stop her. She fought thesadness with information.

Before Grace arrived, she says, she immersed herself in research,connecting immediately with moms who knew all too well what hav-ing a baby with Down syndrome means.

She now has a list of tips for new parents inthe special needs community:

Celebrate, take photos. “You can’t predict the

future, you don’t know what’s going to happen. You can make today great. You just don’t wantto have that regret (of not cherishing fleetingmoments with your child, particularly their birth). You’ve just got to love that baby because that baby is yours.”

Make it your mission to find a friend. No one will understand what you are going through unlessthey have been through the good days and baddays themselves, she says.

Support your spouse. “You’ve got to cometogether, you’ve got to talk about it. It’s hard, but you’ve got to be there for each other.”

Find a therapy program you believe in.“Everything you do today will make tomorroweasier. It is hard, and you do have to work hard. Ithink a lot of people settle and that is the one areanot to settle.”

She says her expectations for Grace are exactly thesame as for her boys. “I am determined my child willbe a success story. I don’t want her life to be a tragedy.”

She is now sharing her story with a new blog,5boysand1girlmake6.blogspot.com.

‘I’ve got to find a yes’

Rolanda Laird sensed something wrong with her son, Tr when he was about 6 months old. He would not stand on b

and kept one hand in a tight ball.Doctors ran a lot of tests and by the time he turned 1, he

diagnosed with cerebral palsy, she says. Laird spent a lot ofresearching and finding programs like Aspire to help Tremathough doctors told her he’d never talk and probably wouldbefore he entered school.

“The more they told me no, I said I’ve got to find a yes,” Laird, a mom of four.

Tremaine, 6, is proving doctors wrong. Laird remembersmilestones low at first, but has since stopped setting them a

because he surpasses them daily.“He’s just an amazing kid. Wow, he did

she says, adding that the first thing people about him is his smile. “He has taught me n

make exceptions. They just have to learn thof doing things.”

Over the years, she says looking for theside of things and focusing on all of Tremtives gave her something to hold onto. Thadvice for everyone, she says.

“You have to accept what you have.”

‘Don’t dwell onthe special needs’

Beata McCann’s three kids keep her Really busy.

The biggest challenge this Western mom faces is not with Olivia, 3, havingsyndrome, but balancing her intensive

therapy sessions with 6-year-old Andrew’4-year-old Ella’s many activities.

How has she managed? “I try to organtime as best as I can and just realize I canall. I just do the best that I can.”

She also has set the same expectationOlivia as she has for Andrew and Ella. “To

“He’s just anamazing kid.Wow, he did itagain.”

ROLANDA LAIRD





to function as best as they can, don’t under-estimate them. Expect the world and they will meet it eventually.”

While she says she gets sad when shesees what other 3-year-olds can do, sheconsiders all that Olivia can do.

McCann’s advice to other parents: “It’snot as bad as you think it’s going to be. It’s your reality and you adapt to it. Don’t dwellon the special needs.”

Kids’ own timeline

Mucek-Kucharczyk says there are plenty

of books about the typical milestones of development, “but there is something to besaid about being available and open to under-standing your child. Every child has their owntimeline. Respecting that and following theirlead is how they develop, thrive and growand develop healthy relationships.”

Parents of children with special needs will find themselves facing unwanted advice,suggestions and comments, she says. And yes,stares.

It can help to focus on the disability itself and not make it personal, Mucek-Kucharczyk says.

Sometimes, in the midst of dealing withthe special needs, parents forget their chil-dren will also give them the same parentingchallenges every other parent faces, fromfiguring out potty training, to discipline, togetting them to sleep and feeding them.

For that, Mucek-Kucharczyk offers thisadvice: A lot of trial and error, with a very consistent message.

Grace Driscoll, far left, isgirl surrounded by brotheto right, Ryan, 6, Sean, 4Colin, 3, and Patrick, 8.The first thing everyone nabout Tremaine Laird, lefsmile, his mom says. So tOlivia McCann is such a

when she’s with her sisteand brother, Andrew, 6.


Spring

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by CINDy RICHARDS

W hen Nicole Korosa’s parents offeredto fly her and her boys, one of whom has autism, to Florida for a

visit, she thought, “I’m not passing up thistrip. I will deal with two-and-a-half hoursof a screaming kid.”

But Nicholas, 7, didn’t scream—not evengoing through the security checkpoint at theairport. He became so engrossed in the con- veyor belt that he didn’t even mind taking off his shoes. And he loves airplanes, so he lovedflying. It was the beach that freaked himout—he doesn’t like sand or sun or wearingsandals. “My dad stayed with him a lot in the

house,” says the Homer Glen mom.While experts have general ideas about

where to consider vacationing with a childon the autism spectrum, they all agree thatit can vary greatly from child to child. Forexample, at least one expert recommendedheading to the beach because it tends tobe a calmer destination than, say, Disney World.

Korosa, however, says that whileNicholas hated the beach, he had a greattime at Disney. He wants to go back, eventhough the only ride he wanted to go on was the tea cups.

Julie Martin, executive director of By Your Side, a Burr Ridge-based speech andlanguage therapy center for children withautism, notes that it’s tough to predict whatdestination will work for kids on the autismspectrum. In fact, she says, places that work

for kids with autism don’t always kids with Asperger’s and vice vers

It’s important always to call ahtalk with someone at the destinati just rely on Internet research—to place can accommodate your child

With that caveat, here are a fewtions worth investigating if you wtake a family vacation with a childautism spectrum disorder.

1. Try dude rnc. Some child with special needs find it comfortiaround the huge animals, and sevranches offer special programs for with autism. For example, Snow MRanch in northern Colorado, a resproperty operated by the YMCA o

Get away from the everydayFive ideas for families withkids on the spectrum

Nicole Korosa and her son Nicholas, 7, who has autism, on a trip to Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.

continued on page 24


Spring



Rockies, offers therapeutic horseback ridingprograms and summer camps for children with autism. Similarly, Tanque Verde Ranchin Tucson offers to tailor programs for chil-dren with special needs.

2. Bk cnd, u r ut. This isKorosa’s recommendation. Nicholas findshotel rooms too confining. But there are

hotel chains that cater to families withspecial needs children, such as the beauti-ful TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach,Fla. The resort has been named an autism-friendly business by the Center for Autismand Related Disabilities. It offers a socialbook online for families to review prior totheir arrival, has a gluten-free menu, andprovides free hotel room safety kits, includ-ing outlet covers, corner cushions and ahanging door alarm.

3. Vt durn l ctc prd. At theChildren’s Museum of New Hampshire, thatmeans going on the second Saturday of the

month for the “Exploring Our Way” program.The museum is open from 10 a.m.-noononly for families with children on the autismspectrum. If you set your sights bigger—anamusement park, for example—go in the off-season or choose a smaller, calmer park like

Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind.4. Lk fr plc tt ffr pcl

prrm fr pcl nd vtr. In Utah,that includes the National Ability Centerin Park City, which offers summer campsexclusively for children with autism andsports programs that allow the whole family

to learn and play together.5. Cndr Mdn. The capital of

Wisconsin has a small town feel, but aplethora of autism-friendly attractionsand support programs, says Judy Frankel,public relations manager for the city’s visitor

bureau and the mom of a son withThe city has an array of offerings, yoga classes to a local theater thata program one Saturday a month with autism.

geTaways from page 23

Travelingm adee a

X Traveling through a major ai

such as O’Hare International Aican be an overwhelming sensor

rience for anyone, let alone som

who has an Autism Spectrum D

X To make the trip from ticketcounter, through security, on to

gate and finally into the air eas

people on the autism spectrum

Autism Program of Illinois, TheInstitute for Children and Fami

Have Dreams created three Avia

Accessibility Kits.

The kits lay out the steps involv

moving through an airport in wopictures.

Download the kits at http://acce

ity.theautismprogram.org/guides

The beach can be a dream or a nightmarevacation.



Open

Active

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Innovative Programs • Inclusive Recreation

Special Olympics • Adaptive and Paralympic Sports

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schaumburg mom MichellHaase has traveledaround the world with

her 19-year-old daughter, aParalympic hopeful. In 2011,

Haase left her job to startTravelinWheels, a website thatserves those who looking foraccessible travel. She talked toChicago Special Parent about what she’s learned about trav-eling with someone who hasspecial needs.

wy dd yu decde t strtTrvelnweels?

We found it was very dif-ficult to find information aboutaccessibility in destinations.There were blogs, subjective

information, but it was very hard to find details about hotels,restaurants. I would spend a lotof time researching things. So afew years ago, I came up withthe concept. … We give people

our tips and tricks, the resourcesavailable to them, what theirrights are. And we’re working with the hospitality industry toteach them what the needs are

in the accessible market, beyondcompliance. …We want to seemore people feel they can traveland teach them how to do it effec-tively and also teach those who areproviding the services.

if yu d ne pece f dvcefr fmles, t uld t be?

My biggest piece of adviceis you have to have a sense of humor. You have to know yourown limits. You have to take adeep breath, laugh and pace yourself. It’s really important

we try as parents to stay calm,laugh it off, make the best of it,be assertive when things aren’tright. Sometimes the worstthings can turn out to be afunny story later on.

wt’s te best plce t vstf yur cld s specl needs?

It all depends. It dependson what the disability is, what you want to do. Everyone saysDisney World is nirvana, but if you have a child that gets over

stimulated, it’s not nirvanafor you. If you have a naturelover, our national parks havereally started to get it, so there’s wonderful places to go. … It’s achanging world with a lot more

understanding, or at lbeginning of understa

if fmly s decn trp, d teyts nfrmtn?

They come to us! If

our website, we have amation email, and I anthose personally. We hresources. …. We chanand I don’t take that lig

Elizab

Know before you go

Michell Haase, right, and daughter Kelsey have traveled aworld together.


Spring

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It was Mother’s Day and family lawattorney Ana Marcyan was foldinglaundry in her Clarendon Hills home.

“Baron’s on the roof,” she heard aneighbor call outside.

After a nightmarish afternoon with what looked like a SWAT team of rescue workers trying to lure her 6-year-old son with autism safely from the shingles, Ana’shusband came home with their other twochildren.

“Why weren’t you watching him?” sheremembers Carl Marcyan asking.

A series of similar stories about 12 yearsago landed the Marcyans in a court-man-dated divorce mediator’s office in DuPageCounty.

Instead of saying “You’re right, Ana,”as she expected, the counselor pointed outthat there were no drugs, alcohol, gamblingor extramarital relationships muddling hermarriage.

What was coming between them wasthe sheer fatigue of caring for a low-func-tioning son with autism who had a pen-chant for stripping off his clothes, slipping

out a window and following the wdown the street.

“That’s when I realized somethheard before—that love is a decisshe says. “We decided to keep lovother.”

The Marcyan divorce was off.Ironically, Baron’s dad is now a

attorney who specializes in divorceparents of children with special nee

It takes work but couples can survive a disability

by RObyN MONAGHAN

Love,

marriage special needs&

Ana and Carl Marcyan enjoy some quiet family time with their son Baron.

Continued on page 28

Photos


Spring



After the diagnosisUntil recently, conventional wisdom

has pegged the divorce rate in families

with autism at around 80 percent. Butnew research is debunking the myth thatrelationships for parents of children withdisabilities are statistically doomed.

A 2010 study by researcher BrianFreedman, clinical director of the Centerfor Autism and Related Disorders at theKennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore,found that children with autism live inhomes with both parents 64 percent of thetime, compared with children in families without autism at 65 percent of the time.

The new findings may assuage a littlebit of the pressure that plagues parents of

children with special needs. About a quarter of Buffalo Grove thera-

pist Amy Bash’s practice is working withparents of special needs children. A motherof a child with special needs herself, Bashsays the most common issue that bringsparents into counseling is grief.

“Special needs parents face the compli-cated, consuming, frightening and challeng-ing task of raising the child they have, whileletting go of the child they dreamed of,” shesays.

Grief in the gender gapWhat can rip vows asunder is the thorny

reality that husbands and wives grieve indifferent ways.

Women are socialized to talk abouttheir feelings, while men often believe they should be stoic in order to be supportive of their wives, Bash explains. Mothers will takeon the role of seeking help and therapies,

meeting with school staff and heasionals, exploring research, and prthe special care required. Moms te

about their feelings of isolation anshortage of time to take care of th

Ana Marcyan tells of her loneliat home with Baron as Carl took Bsiblings to weekend soccer matchemovies.

“It was impossible to get a babyshe says.

Men, Bash finds, get “lost in th when they can’t be the fixers,” sheis the father who is most likely to to the safety and consistency of hiDads, like Carl Marcyan, say they get a break if they go from work to where child care and chores await

“It got to the point where I wasglad Monday morning was comingthe stress at home was so intense,

Bash also says fathers feel extrto make enough money to pay for and medical supplies.

marriage from page 27

Staying togetherthrough special needs1. Protect your marriage.

One of the reasons marriages are more

prone to divorce is that care for the

child often overrides everything else inthe family.

2. Embrace your differences.

Differences are amplified when disabil-

ity enters the family. Couples differ in

emotional reactions, future expectations,

discipline and educational and medicaltreatments. Couples should ask: “What

is good about the fact that my partner

has a different point of view on this?”

3. Take care of yourself.

Parents need to learn that they willbe no good for their children, or have

anything to give to their marriages, ifthey do not also protect some time for

themselves.

4. Become a team.

Couples often divide responsibilities in

a way that is practical in the short run

but can cause problems longer term.

Becoming a team also requires making

space for genuine co-parenting whilegiving up some control.

5. Protect romance and sexual intimacy.

Loss of romance and sexual intimacy

is one of the many problems amplified

in couples raising children with dis-abilities. Many disorders result in sleep

problems and increase the likelihood

that children sleep with their parents or

a couple is too exhausted to have theenergy for sex.

6. Practice forgiveness and realisticexpectations.

There is a tendency to form unrealis-

tic expectations of a partner simplybecause the pressures can be so great.

Because resentments then build easily,

it is important for couples to practice

forgiveness when appropriate.

Source: Married With Special Needs

Children , Laura Marshak, Ph.D., profes- sor of counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a psychologist at North Hills Psychological Services in Pittsburgh,where she works with parents of childrenwith disabilities.

The quality of theemotional relationshipbetween husband and

has an impact on closwith a child.

Laura Marshak

Author, Married With Special Needs





Emotionally enmeshedLaura Marshak is the author of Married

With Special Needs Children, a book detailing

the romantic pitfalls of parenting children with disabilities. She sees a lot of parents who love too much—but not each other.

“The quality of the emotional relationshipbetween husband and wife has an impact oncloseness with a child,” she says. “If unhappy,

a parent may turn more to a child.”It’s a recurring marriage buster both

Marcyan and Bash see when they work with families. The “enmeshed” parent may become overprotective, over-involved andoverly controlling.

At the other end of the spectrum isanother homewrecker familiar to both

Marshak and Marcyan. It’s the parent whotakes the “head-in-the-sand approach” by minimizing the child’s disability, rejecting alldiagnoses and insisting their child simply willgrow out of the problem.

For better ratherthan worse

Where can couples turn to keep from winding up in Marcyan’s office negotiatinga visitation schedule? Social support withfriends and family, along with advocacy andsupport groups, is key, Bash says.

A good way for couples to support eachother is to trade off parenting responsibility by swapping time when one is “on” for parent-ing. But carving out time together as a coupleis critical, too. Finding respite services if family or friends are not available is a must.

“If time is not set aside, exhausresult and the sex life and the emointimacy is diminished,” Bash says

But the absolute best predictor ful marriages is the ability to resolvand develop resiliency. Communic“fair fighting” skills are key in any Resentments develop when parent

stand up for their personal needs.Bash helps her clients realize thnot have control over the challenglife presents, but they do have con what they think about the events.

“I encourage clients to do whaneed to do, but surrender the conhow it is ‘supposed’ to happen,” sh

In the Marcyan household, whparents are divorce lawyers, “noboafraid of the D-word,” Carl Marcy

Yet he and Ana stepped back oledge when they realized in the cooffice that day that theirs was a m

able problem. The mediator told tacross the street to the bar and woout.

“That’s when we came to the cthat for better or worse really meater or worse,” Ana says.


Spring

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by RObyN MONAGHAN

Jacob Coughenour had toendure brain and spinalcord surgery after the taxi

driver taking him home fromschool nodded off and crashedthe cab.

So, when it came to makingsure Jacob would get to keephis settlement money withoutlosing his monthly disability benefits, his mother stepped in.

Joyce Coughenour learnedabout a special needs trust ata workshop by special needsinvestment expert Mary AnneEhlert.

Think of a special needs trustas a legal safe deposit box.

Coughenour knew Jacob,22, could draw monthly federal

Social Security Income pay-ments and state-administratedMedicaid. But her son’s $674a month can only be spent onhousing and food. According tothe rules, if a person accumu-lates more than $2,000, thebenefit checks stop.

That leaves next to nothingfor filling a life with trips to thebarber, special sports equipmentor dinner with friends.

“What a special needs trustdoes is give parents the peaceof mind of knowing the child will continue to live in the life-style in which he was raised,”Coughenour says.

So, she reached out tofinance experts at Life’s PlanInc. of Lisle. She chose a planfor about $750 a year.

Emergency roomplanning

When people hear the word“trust,” they tend to think bigbucks. Most special needs trustshold less than $100,000. But itisn’t always easy for families toput a future plan in motion.

“It’s easy to put off futureplanning because people don’tlike to contemplate their ownmortality,” says Kirsten Izatt, aWheaton attorney who special-izes in financial planning forpeople with disabilities. “It’shard for them to imagine thechild’s life without them.”

Izatt sees the worst-casescenario all too often.

“Families who plan for thechild to live with the parents

forever end up doing theirplanning around heart surgery and all kinds of emergency situ-ations,” she says. “In these situa-

tions, crucial planning is eitherrushed or it isn’t done at all.”

While it never fails to shock her, Izatt can understand howfamilies never get around toplanning for their children’sfuture amid the daily stressesof juggling doctor’s appoint-ments, therapist bills andtransportation.

Protectingtomorrow

But there is a better way.That’s what Penny Schwentof Schaumburg found whenshe started inputting photos, vignettes and traditions into herProtected Tomorrows album,an online future care planningsystem. It’s a place to recordher hopes and dreams for her

19-year-old daughter E who has Angelman sy

The album is a stepWeb-based guide that

parents through prepalife as they see it for th with special needs.

“I saw families goinlawyer’s office to makarrangements, then bebaffled by the decision were facing, they simp went back,” says Ehle

With few communskills, Emily Schwenther parents to be heradvocates. Now, her and dad, Dale, are coing important things about Emily. “It’s harthere emotionally,” PSchwent says, “but wthink about her life fto 62. We’re looking we want for her and ing what life would b without us.”

A securedfutureTough decisions need to be madebefore crisis strikes

Pitfalls to avoid X When setting up

guardianships, the team

approach is the best way

to make sure no one can

take advantage of the

beneficiary, Kirsten Izatt

says.

X Make sure there is

some flexibility in thetrust, as rules sur-

rounding governmentbenefits often change—

“irrevocable but amend-

able” is the adage to goby, Izatt advises.





Dawn Spahr of Warrenville always

hoped that her daughter would goto college, but she knew for that to

happen, Tess would need a lot of support. After all, Tess has always had learning chal-lenges and most people anticipated she would only earn a high school diploma.

But fortunately for Tess, 23, oneWisconsin college has different expecta-tions for young people with intellectualdisabilities.

Shepherds College, in Union Grove, Wis., was founded in 2008 as a post-secondary option exclusively for people with intellec-tual disabilities.

“The population we work with really distinguishes us,” says Tracy Terrill, thedirector of the college.

When the Spahrs first heard aboutShepherds College, the unique nature of the program quickly became apparent. Tessgraduated from Wheaton Warrenville SouthHigh School in 2007 and was in a transi-tional program and attending some classes

at College of DuPage, but both she and her

parents wanted to find a post-high schoolexperience where she could live away fromhome and gain living skills and academics.

“I was like, (Shepherds is) exactly whatI’ve been looking for,” Dawn says. “Therearen’t really many options out there, atleast that we found or heard of that waslike this… There are kids who just sort of fall through the cracks after high schooland transition programs, who can really domore with their lives.”

Shepherds’ three-year residential pro-gram was exactly what the family was seek-ing. The college teaches both general lifeskills and specific career skills in the areasof horticulture and culinary arts, with thegoal of helping students develop “appropri-ate independence” for adult life.

“It looks different for each of our grads,each of our students,” Terrill says. “Onestudent who is lower-functioning, if we canhelp her find employment … serving on afood line, that might be the best she’s ever

going to accomplish. …Some of ou

functioning students, they aspire tbeyond that (and) they have the ago well beyond that.”

The school’s three-year framewdesigned for students to reach thelevel of independence in incremen

During the first year, students dormitory-style setting, progressingroup home in their second year aapartment with a roommate in th with the goal of taking on more rebility in meal preparation and houchores.

“(I like) living in the dorm becthe girls are crazy….There’s someinteresting things that have happethe dorm,” Tess says with a laughrecounting the story of one of theputting the wrong type of soap in dishwasher, leading to an evening

‘People live up to expectation

Students with intellectual disabilitiesexperience college and jobs


by ELIZAbETH


Spring



removal—and an inadvertent lesscleaning up messes.

“It’s that progression all the wathrough, with every component othing we do,” says Angela Houk, dthe college. “(We’re) giving them and more responsibility, more andfreedom, more and more indepen

that if they fail, there’s a cushion. to grow in independence, there haopportunity for failure.”

And as with any college freshmthere’s a period of adjustment. Tethe experience was “nerve-wrackididn’t know what to expect and mfamily and friends. According to Hperiod of transition is the most difof the three years for most studen

“You have students from all difbackgrounds … and different exp were placed on all of them from mdad,” she says. “And then you com

and … we set the expectations higthen we help get them to meet thehelp them be successful with it.”

Staff members note that the seance students gain from being sucnoticeable.

“When they came on campus f

EXPECTaTioNS from page 31

Chef Brett McCarthy shows students a cooking technique in a culinary arts class.



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first time, most of them were hiding behindtheir shoulder and hair and their head was down,” says Susan Griffis, director of marketing for the college. “Now they’reconfident young men and women walkingaround the hallways… It’s just unreal.”

Of course, academics are a key ele-ment of any college experience, and they’re

something that gets a lot of attention atShepherds. During thefirst year, classroominstruction focuses ongeneral academic classeslike math and languagearts, as well as life skillsclasses like money andcomputers. A popularclass is personal develop-ment, where studentslearn everything fromhow to make friendsto how to dress professionally. Students

also receive training in the Bible, since theschool is Christian (religious affiliation isnot required for admission).

In the second year, the focus turnstoward vocational training, where studentsselect either horticulture or culinary artsand take hands-on classes in their chosen

area. This training prepares them for thethird year, which is primarily taken up by an internship assignment in their field.

One recent graduate, Gloria Pavuk,had an internship at Country Rose Bakery and Café in Union Grove, where she dideverything from baking treats in the kitchento cleaning up after diners. Her supervisor,

Rose Laketa, was so pleased with Gloria’s work and rapport withcustomers that she hiredher as an employee aftergraduation, and eventu-ally increased her hours.

“(These students) canbe productive in society,and I love it,” Laketasays. “We’re not alldoing favors for them….Why treat them any different?”

Other students have received equal

praise in their assignments, which rangefrom serving food at an elementary school’scafeteria to operating machinery at a localfarm. Leslie Leith, the lead horticultureinstructor who oversees the internships,

“We want to challengethem to dream big.”

Tracy Terrill

Director, Shepherds College

Tess Spahr is excelling in the hortiprogram.

Courtesy Becky Terrill / Shep



Spring

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EXPECTaTioNS from page 33

says her students excel in their evaluationsby supervisors.

Tess Spahr worked at a greenhouse during

high school and immediately knew that she wanted to be part of the horticulture program.But since coming to Shepherds, she decidedshe wants to get into flower arranging.

“She says she wants to own her ownflower shop,” her mom says. “Who knows?”

These lofty aspirations are right in line

with the school’s vision.“We want to challenge them to dream

big,” Terrill says. “We really try to expect a lot

out of them and push them to get to accom-plish all that.”

Shepherds College had its first graduatingclass last June.

“(These students) have a lot of abil-ity beyond their disability. After time, youhave to stop being surprised at how able

they are,” Griffis says. “People liveexpectations.”

As for Tess, her mom wrote in a

email, “Shepherds College has beenamazing gift for her. ... She can learown level and pace ... and is getting A’s. We are very proud of her.”

Elizabeth Diffin is the assistant editChicago Parent.



Do you want to distrChicago Special Pa

at your business

Send an email tocirculation@chicagopare

Specıal ParenChiCago

SPRiNg2012

ANEMPOWERM

For betteror worseCouples cansurvivespecial needs



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BY SHARON MILLER CINDRICH

QMy son has some learning disabili-ties. Are there any technologies thatcould help with schoolwork?

A Technology can be the great equal-izer for children and adults with

disabilities. Often referred to as assistive

technology, these programs can help withlearning, classroom activities or homework assignments. The following resources,programs and gadgets may help your sonmaximize his learning potential.

MATH

Talking calculators, which vocalize eachnumber, symbol or operation when thecalculator button is pressed, are populargadgets that can help struggling mathstudents. Listening to the numbers as they are being pressed into the calculator canhelp students avoid errors and reinforcesthe process through an auditory message.Talking calculators are available at many online retail outlets. The TalkCalc app isdesigned for iPhone and iPad and great for young children.

READING

Students who struggle with readingand comprehension may benefit from

audio books. Audible.com is an Amazoncompany that offers books, radio shows,magazines and speeches as downloadsfor computer, iPods and mobile phones.

Bookshare.com offers accessible titles thatcan be enhanced by assistive tools, liketext-to-speech, or you can order a book inembossed Braille.

WRITING

Students who struggle with writingorganization and mechanics might benefitfrom Dragon Dictate. This speech recogni-tion solution allows students to speak theirthoughts and commands, and the program will write it down. Software by goQ, called wordQ+speakQ, is a tool that combines word prediction technology, spoken feed-

back and speech recognition for learners with writing challenges.

NOTE TAKING

The Pulse smartpen by livescriberecords everything a student reads and writes. Students can replay a teacherlecture with the tap of the pen. TheSoundNote app allows you to record theclass lecture and make scribbles on youriPad at the same time. Evernote is alsogreat for recording class notes and is avail-able for Mac and Windows.

ORGANIZATION

Students can improve organization withOneNote by Microsoft. This digital note-book allows students to store notes, projectitems and homework in one place on thecomputer and easily access it for presenta-tions, projects and studying. Simple appsfor keeping track of homework assign-ments include myHomework and iHome- work for the iPhone.

While technologies can provide somesolutions to learning challenges, they aremost effective when combined with class-room accommodations and an independenteducation plan. For more resources andguidance, visit LD OnLine (ldonline.org),the National Center for Learning Disabilities(ncld.org) and the Learning Disabilities Association of America (ldanatl.org).

Sharon Miller Cindrich’s Plugged-in Parentcolumn runs monthly in Chicago Parent.

TECHNOLOGY

Gadgets pave way to learning

Book helpsexplain disabil

When occupational thera

pist Jill Rigby found herself imeeting after meeting tryingexplain executive functioningdisorder to parents, she start writing it down instead.

“Three times a year we haparent-teacher conferences athe big issue that kept cominup was, ‘Your child has executive functioning disorder,’” saRigby, who works at a schooNorthfield. “Parents were cofused about what that meant

So Rigby began writing o

simple explanations in laymaterms of the disorder, which inability to transition, organiand adapt to activities in youday.

Before she knew it, she w writing a book about the disocalled “I put it right here I sw

The book begins with exping a day in the life of a boy executive functioning disordand how he feels. “He keeps ting yelled at and he keeps lothings,” Rigby explains.

The book, illustrated by Rigby’s 17-year-old daughteralso struggles with the disordavailable through amazon.co

ChicagoParent.com | Specıal ParentCHICAGO

Spring



AdAPTIVeSeRVICeS

ext HLivig Srvics210 W. Campus Drive

Suite B, Arlington Heights(847) 215-9490

ehls.com

In-home elevators,wheelchair, stair- andceiling-mounted patientlifts, ramps and acces-sible remodeling.

HatchbacksFtwar70 SW Century Drive

Suite 100-234, Bend, Ore.(541) 317-3957

(800) 936-0511hatchbacksfootwear.com

Shoes that open fromthe back to make iteasy to fit an ankle foot

orthotic.Kis eqiptRsrcP.O. Box 121, Forest Park(630) 766-0505 ext. 8

tken.org

New and refurbishedequipment for childrenwith special needs whocan’t afford it.

mbilitWrksmobilityworks.com

Wheelchair vans

and adaptive equip-ment, including sales,mechanical service,rental vans and mobileconsulting. Locations inPlainfield, Skokie andVilla Park.

RapnoW2225 Tanglewood DriveAurora

(630) 892-7267

rampnow.com

Rents, sells and installslifts and ramps.

Slp Saf Bs3629 Reed Creek Drive

Bassett, Va.

(866) 852-2337

sleepsafebed.com

Adapted beds.

AdVoCACyA nw Ra f Hp435 Pennsylvania Ave.

#146, Glen Ellyn

(630) 260-3780

anewrayofhope.com

Educational and healthadvocate.

Clarighs earl ecatia Partig

Early Childhood andParenting Collaborative

University of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign

Children’s Research Center

Room 20, 51 Gerty Drive

Champaign

(877) 275-3227

(217) 333-1386

eiclearinghouse.org

An informationresource for familiesand professionalsinvolved in the IllinoisEarly Intervention

Program.

eqip fr eqalit20 N. Michigan Ave.

Suite 300, Chicago

(312) 341-0022

equipforequality.org

Free self-advocacyassistance and edu-cational seminars forparents.

evast Citizsfr ApprpriatSpcial ecati1609 Sherman Ave.Suite 203, Evanston

(847) 556-8676evanstoncase.org

Special education advo-cacy, education andsupport organization.Also offers monthlymeetings for parents.

Illiis Lif SpaPrjct20901 La Grange Road

Suite #209, Frankfort(800) 588-7002illinoislifespan.org

A statewide informationand advocacy coordina-tion system for peoplewith developmentaldisabilities and theirfamilies.

PrtctTrrws Ic.103 Schelter RoadLifeCare CenterLincolnshire(847) 522-8086protectedtomorrows.com

Advocacy firm focusedon life planning.

AuTISmSPeCTRumdISoRdeRS

Atis CitCctiNapervillehealth.groups.yahoo.com/

group/autismcc

Online support andresources.

Atis HSpprt Srvics85 Revere Drive, Suite AA

Northbrook

(847) 564-0822autismhomesupport.com

In-home customizedcare from respite tobehavior modification.

Atis Scitf Illiis2200 S. Main St., Suite 205Lombard

(630) 691-1270

(888) 691-1270 (hotline)autismillinois.org

Information and refer-ral to support groupsand providers/services.Offers IEP consults andadvocacy at no charge.

Atis SpaksChicagoland Chapter2700 S. River Road

Suite 203, Des Plaines(224) 567-8573

autismspeaks.org

Nonprofit organization

dedicated to aware-ness, funding, science,research and advocacy.

Charli’s GiftAtis CtrThe Community House415 W. 8th St., Hinsdale

(630) 323-7500 ext. 230charliesgiftautismcenter.org

Monthly parent sup-port group meetings,workshops and con-ferences. Afterschoolclubs, summer campsand other eventsoffered.

ChicaglaAtis Ccti1803 West 95th St., #268Chicago

(773) 329-0375chicagoautism.org

Monthly meetingsoffered.

eastr Sals AtisPrgras - Jlit212 Barney Drive, Joliet(815) 725-2194

joliet.easterseals.com

Includes medicaldiagnostic clinic, socialskills groups, siblingrecreational workshops,special recreationnights, day care forages birth-4 and a par-ent support group.

eastr SThrapa CtAtis R1939 West 13Suite 300, Ch

(312) 491-41eastersealscheastersealsan

Education, research, tr

school-to-wtion and adtional servi

Giat St2500 Cabot D(630) 864-38mygiantsteps

Therapeuticfor children

Hav dr515 Busse HigSuite 150, Pa(847) 685-02

2020 Dempst

Evanston(847) 905-07havedreams.o

Preschool, activities, sOlympics, tily support,

Hlpig H9649 W. 55th

Countryside(708) 352-35hhrehab.org

School for cautism, age

Occupationspeech andand music

Illiis APdd Traia TchAssistac1590 S. FairfieLombard

(630) 968-38illinoisautism

Focuses on and supportwith autismfamilies.

Littl CitFatiChilBriSrvics700 N. Sacram

Suite 220, Ch(773) 265-16760 W. AlgonPalatine

R e s o u

r c e s

Deaf or HearingImpaired, Dentists,Diabetes, DisabilityGroups . . . . . . . . . . 38

Down Syndrome,Education . . . . . . . 40

Epilepsy, General . . .41

Health, IncontinenceSupplies . . . . . . . . 43

Legal, Pediatric HomeCare, Recreation . . . 44

Support . . . . . . . .45

Therapy . . . . . . . .46

Vocational Training/Programs . . . . . . . 49

The resources you find here are just an excerpt of the hundreds of searchable resources you can findonline at ChicagoParent.com.

If you are a resource provider and your servicesare not listed online, email Liz DeCarlo at [email protected] with your information or submit

your information at www.chicagoparent.com/resources/resource-submission-form.

Find more information online

36 | Specıal ParentCHICAGo




(847) 358-5510

littlecity.org/childbridge

In-home personal andfamily supports, clinicaland behavior interven-tion, residential services,therapeutic arts programs,and special needs fostercare and adoption. Alsoprovides employment ser-vices and training, horti-culture, art and residential

services for young adults.Provides recreation, medi-cal and dental services forall ages.

Littl Fris Ic.140 N. Wright St.Naperville

(630) 355-6533littlefriendsinc.org

Operates three schools,vocational trainingprograms, community-based residential servic-es and the Little Friends

Center for Autism.

PACTT LarigCtr7101 N. Greenview Ave.Chicago

(773) 338-9102

pactt.org

Educational, residential,vocational and consultantservices for people with

autism and their families.Operates two children’sgroup homes, in OakPark and Elmwood Park,for children with autismand one group homefor adults with autism inRogers Park.

RRAF613 S. Main St., Lombard

(630) 495-7723

rraf.org

Day program and in-home support for adultswith disabilities.

Spctr Spprt1575 W. Lake Shore Drive

Woodstock

(815) 337-7570

spectrumsupportllc.com

Speech and occupa-tional therapy, DANbiomedical, chiropractictherapy and tutoring.Support, education and

social groups for kidsand their families.

Talk Abt CrigAtis Chicagchaptrs(708) 574-9328

(847) 669-2359

tacanow.org

Monthly meetings andinformal “Coffee Talks”

for parents. Parents cansign up for a free par-ent mentor. Meetingsare in Crystal Lake, OakPark/Naperville andAlgonquin.

BLInd oRVISuALLyImPAIRed

Illiis dpartt

f Ha Srvics-Bra f BliSrvics401 S. Clinton St., Chicago(800) 843-6154(217) 785-3887 TTYdhs.state.il.us

Programs for childrenand youth.

Illiis Partsf th VisallIpairP.O. Box 2947, Naperville(877) 411-IPVI (4784)

ipvi.orgProvides support ser-vices to parents.

Th ChicagLighths frPpl Wh ArBli r VisallIpair1850 W. Roosevelt RoadChicago

(312) 666-1331thechicagolighthouse.org

Educational, clinical,vocational and rehabili-tation services for chil-dren, youth and adults.

Th Hal Schlfr th Bli700 Elm St., Winnetka(847) 446-8111hadley.edu

The largest provider of

tuition-free distanceeducation for indi-viduals over age 14who are blind or visuallyimpaired.

Vics f VisiTalkig Bk Ctr127 S. First St., Geneva(800) 227-0625vovtbc.org

Free library service forpeople unable to reador use conventionalprint material.

CAmPSCap eastr SalsPrgraeasterseals.com

Day and residentialcamps, as well as week-end and after-schoolprograms.

Cap nw HpP.O. Box 764, Mattoon

(217) 895-2341

cnhinc.org

For children withdevelopmental dis-abilities ages 8 andup. Wheelchair-friendlyfacilities include 3-footswimming pool with lift,respite building and theCamp New Hope train.

Cap Ra GrahaAssciatiBurr Ridge

ray-graham.org

Day camp.

Cap R KitAgassiz Elementary School

2851 N. Seminary Ave.

Chicago(773) 227-0180

theredkiteproject.org/cam-

predkite.html

For children with autismwho enjoy making art.

Applications can befound online.

Cap R Laf-Jwish Ccil fyth Srvics26710 W. Nippersink

Ingleside

(847) 740-5010

jcys.org

For youth and adults

with develoabilities age

elit StarsAll Sprt (847) 804-354

Gymnastics,figure skatinleading, daneral sport trindividuals wneeds.

JCyS CaHighland Park

(847) 814-STA

jcys.org/camp

For children high-functioand related

Lif Tls Evanston

(847) 328-204

independentfu

Day camp w

overnight op

Sha oafr Ppldisabiliti16300 S. Parke

Homer Glen

(708) 301-081

shadyoakscam

Residential camp and d

Institute for Therapy Through the Arts, see Page 47.

ChicagoParent.com | Specıal ParentCHICAGo

Spring



CAmPS

TurttSrCaporgaiati6933 N. Kedzie, #816

Chicago

(773) 465-7536

tourettecamp.com

Residential camping

program for kids withTourette Syndrome andObsessive CompulsiveDisorder.

ymCA CapIpcAt Camp Duncan

32405 N. Highway 12

Ingleside

(847) 546-8086

ymcacampindependence.org

A year-round outdoorretreat and rehabilitation

center serving childrenwith spina bifida, cere-bral palsy, brain tumorsand spinal cord injuries.

deAF oRHeARInGImPAIRed

Alxar GrahaBll mtssri Schl9300 Capitol Drive, Wheeling(847) 850-5490agbms.org

Oral education programfor deaf and hard-of-hearing children usingcued speech.

Ctr dafss3444 Dundee RoadNorthbrook(847) 559-0110centerondeafness.org

Serves children andadults who have hear-ing impairments withadditional handicapping

conditions.

CHoICeS fr PartsP.O. Box 806045, Chicago(312) 523-6400

(866) 733-8729choicesforparents.org

Provides parents of chil-dren with newly identi-fied hearing loss withsupport, informationand resources.

Illiis Has & Vics

P.O. Box 9366, Naperville(877) 350-4556ilhandsandvoices.org

Parent-driven, nonprofitorganization to sup-port families that havechildren who are deaf orhard of hearing.

Illiis Schlfr th daf125 Webster Ave.Jacksonville

(217) 479-4200morgan.k12.il.us/isd

Educates students whoare deaf or hard ofhearing.

PrjctRach-Illiis818 DuPage Blvd., Glen Ellyn(800) 771-1158(630) 790-2474

project-reach-illinois.org

Provides technicalassistance/consultation,information, trainingand family support forchildren with deaf-blind-

ness and their families.

denTISTSIlliis masicdtal Ctr-Spcial Patitdtal CarPrgra811 W. Wellington Ave.

Chicago(773) 871-2188

advocatehealth.com/immc/services/other/dentistry/forms.html

Provides routine dentalcare to children andadults with developmen-tal disabilities.

Illiis Stat dtalScitP.O. Box 211, Northbrook(800) 893-1685

isds.org/publicInfo/special-needs/index.asp

Information dentists for with special

dIABChicag Cdiabts La Rabida Chil

6501 S. PromoChicago(800) 770-CCDlarabida.org/pand-family-pro

Chicago’s oric diabetes Accepting nat La RabidaHospital, HinLenox and S

dISAB

oRGAnIAssciatifr Iividvlp309 W. New InCourt, Aurora(630) 966-400the-associatio

Programs arfor individuaphysical or dtal disabilitiein need of bhealth servic

interventionBll CtChicag1754 W. Wilso(773) 878-786bellecenter-chi

Provides a pfamily-centeapproach toand commuOffers occupspeech therachild’s home

Larig dAssciati10101 S. RobeSuite 205, Palo(708) 430-753ldail.org

Chicago Nooffers servicnorthern cityurbs. Anotheencompassi



Empowering post high school students withcomplex learning disabilities to recognize

and achieve their full potential.

© Brehm Preparatory School, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Brehm admits students

without regard to race, creed, sex or national or ethnic origin.

Call OPTIONS today: 618.549.4201Call Brehm today: 618.457.0371

Brehm offers:• A fully accredited high

school• A unique holistic program

(Fulfilling our students

academic, social andemotional needs)• 4:1 student-to-teacher

ratio• Individualized academic

curriculum• Team recreational

programs & Interscholasticsports

• Supervised dorm living• 24/7 Health Services,

Nursing staff and support• 5 full-time Speech

Language Pathologistson staff

OPTIONS offers:• Structured living with

Independent LivingCounselors

• Social skills training &implementation

• Academic instruction• Speech language therapy• Nursing staff and support• Internship participation• Employment readiness

• Two tracks:aCollege Transition Track:

College class participationwith academic supportaCertificate of

Completion TrackCertificates include:

BusinessRetailHealth ServicesComputerAnimal CareSocial ServicesFood ServicesJanitorial Services

Brehm School is a uniquefamily style boarding schoolfor students with complexlearning disabilities, grades6-12.

Brehm is a forerunner inserving students with dyslexia,ADD/ADHD, auditory process-ing disorders, NVLD, aspergersand language-based learningdisabilities.

Brehm students go on tocollege, find fulfilling careersand become successfulentrepreneurs.

OPTIONS Transitions toIndependence is a comprehen-sive transitional program, withstructured apartment living,for post high school students

with complex learningdisabilities.

OPTIONS helps young adultstudents find independentadulthood.

Empowering students grades 6 through 12with complex learning disabilities to recognize

and achieve their full potential.

© Brehm Preparatory School, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Brehm admits

students without regard to race, creed, sex or national or ethnic origin.

Grades 6 -12

sUCCess with

ComplexlearninG

disabilities

Grades 6 -12

sUCCess with

ComplexlearninG

disabilities

“Brehm has helped me becomemore aware. I’ve gotten to

know myself, my learningdisabilities and my processingissues. If I have a problem, Inow feel comfortable talkingwith someone about it. Aftermaking so many friends here,

it’s the first time in my life thatI feel that I’m not alone.”

— Anna

“OPTIONS helped changemy life. After strugglingwith parochial school, I was

diagnosed with ADD and OCD.Soon after, I began attendingBrehm and OPTIONS, which

helped me through communi-ty college and then SouthernIllinois University. Thanks tothe lessons I’ve learned fromBrehm, I’m only the secondperson in my family to gradu-

ate from college.”— Pete

post hiGh

sChool sUCCess with

ComplexlearninG

disabilities

1245 E. Grand AvenueCarbondale, IL 62901

www.Brehm.org

101 S. Lewis LaneCarbondale, IL 62901

www.experienceoptions.org



encompassing LakeForest-Lake Bluff, meetsmonthly.

Least RestrictiveEnvirnmentClearinguse-LRE100 W. Randolph St.Suite 14-300, Chicago(312) 814-2220

isbe.state.il.us/SPEC-ED

A resource for familiesand educators on issuesrelated to educatingstudents with dis-abilities in the regularclassrooms.

Myastenia GravisFundatin f Illinis310 W. Lake St., Suite 111Elmhurst(800) 888-6208myastheniagravis.org

Information, referralsand support groups.

NF Midwest473 Dunham Road, Suite 3St. Charles(630) 945-3562nfmidwest.org

Nonprofit networkserves families andindividuals affected byneurofibromatosis.

Patways AwarenessFundatin150 N. Michigan Ave.

Suite 2100, Chicago(800) 955-2445pathwaysawareness.org

Raises awarenessabout the benefits ofearly detection andearly therapy for chil-dren with early motordelays.

Rett SyndrmeAssciatin f Illinis1415 W. 22nd St.

Tower Floor, Oak Brook(630) 645-2280

rettillinois.org

All-volunteer organiza-tion offers resources andevents.

Spina BifidaAssciatin f Illinis8765 W. Higgins RoadSuite 403, Chicago

(773) 444-0305sbail.org

Services, information,referral, research andpublic awareness.

Te Arc f Illinis20901 La Grange Road

Suite #209, Frankfort(815) 464-1832

thearcofil.org

A clearinghouse of infor-mation for people withdisabilities.

Te Cystic FibrsisInstitute2401 Ravine Way, #302Glenview

(847) 998-3434cysticfibrosisinstitute.org

Assistance and advo-cacy for individuals andfamilies.

United Cerebral

Palsy f GreaterCicag547 W. Jackson St., Suite 225

Chicago(312) 765-0419

ucpnet.org

Provides support tofamilies and advocatesfor inclusion.

A hideout for kids with autis

Unique play space in Glen Ellyn open to visitors

A big couch in one corner,a TV humming along and kids’toys spread all around—it looks

like just about any living room you’ve ever seen. And that’s exactly what Lisa

Kelly set out to create when sheopened Kaitlin’s Hideout, a play center for children with autismthat opened in Glen Ellyn.

“I wanted it to be as comfy and cozy as possible,” Kelly says. “This is like someone’shouse.”

Kelly’s daughter, 10-year-oldKaitlin, was diagnosed withautism eight years ago. She

describes Kaitlin as being atthe “pretty severe” end of theautism spectrum, adding thatKaitlin is nonverbal.

Kelly spent several yearsprimarily dealing with doctorsand therapists, and unable tospend much time with supportgroups because she needed tocare for Kaitlin. A former hoteland restaurant manager, shebegan crafting the concept for Kaitlin’sHideout because of the information andinteraction gaps she experienced.

For $10, children are free to roaminside the Hideout from one play areato another. There are also quiet areas,including a pillow and blanket-filled spot with a black light that avoids overwhelming the senses.

“It’s a safe place to play,” Kelly says.

Parents are welcome to play wchild or sit on the couch and talkother parents. It’s that kind of fac

interaction Kelly wished she hadthe early years of learning about

“Anyone who is touched by athinks it’s awesome,” Kelly says,she’s had families visit from as faas Rockford and Gurnee.

Dan C

Want to go? X Kaitlin’s Hideout

X 526 CrescentBlvd., Glen Ellyn (inthe “Little Shops”)

X $10 per visit

X Hours: 10:15a.m.-2:15 p.m.

Monday-Friday;a.m.-4:30 p.m.Saturday; noonSunday.

X (630) 460-0

X kaitlinshideo

ChicagoParent.com | Specıal Parent

ChICAGo

Spring

Dedicated to working with children to attain their fullest potential

WE PROVIDE

• Comprehensive Evaluations• Occupational, Physical &

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2901 Finley Road Suite 101 • Downers Grove, IL 60515

(630)792-1800 • milestones4kids.com

Occupational & Physical Gymnasti

Enriching lives through sports, fitneMundelein • Downers Grove • Northbrook

847-650-816www.abigblast.org • rhonda@bigblast

Martial Arts

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T-Ball

T

S



doWn SyndRome

doWnSyndRome

dw i thSthlaP.O. Box 831Tinley Park(708) 614-6118downinthesouthland.org

Provides educationalsupport and programs.

GiGi’s Plahs1071 W. Golf RoadHoffman Estates(847) 885-PLAY (7529)gigisplayhouse.org

Activities, resources,educational programsand support. Locationsalso in Chicago,Aurora, McHenry andMachesney Park.

natialAssciati frdw SrP.O. Box 206, Wilmette(630) 325-9112nads.org

Information, parentsupport program, men-toring, work experienceprogram and other indi-vidualized services.

ups fr dwsHartford Plaza1070 S. Roselle Road

Schaumburg(847) 895-2100upsfordowns.org

A volunteer parent-run support group forparents of children bornwith Down syndrome.Email [email protected] for informa-tion on meetings.

eduCATIonAcacia Aca6425 S. Willow Springs RoadLa Grange Highlands(708) 579-9040acaciaacademy.com

Private school approvedfor out-of-district place-ments.

Bac ThrapticSchl10650 S. Longwood DriveChicago

(773) 881-1005

beacon-therapeutic.org

Private special education

facility serving childrenages 3-21.

Brai BalacAchivt Ctr1101 S. Milwaukee Ave.

Suite 105, Vernon Hills(847) 821-1328

brainbalancechicago.com

Uses a multi-facetedapproach to addresseach child’s specificdeficiencies while com-bining proper nutritional

guidance.Cgitiv SltisLarig Ctr Ic2409 N. Clybourn Ave.

Chicago480 Elm Place, Suite 105A

Highland Park(773) 755-1775helpforld.com

Educational and psy-chological testing, one-on-one tutoring, neuro-feedback, psychotherapyand executive functions

training.eastr Sals AtisThraptic Schl17300 Ozark Ave.

Tinley Park(708) 802-9050eastersealschicago.com

For children ages 3-22.

eli Christia Srvics13020 S. Central Ave.

Palos Heights(708) 389-0555

elimcs.org

Programs for childrenand adults with disabili-ties, including a schooland residential program.

Hp Istittfr Chilr aFailis15 E. Hazel Dell Lane

Springfield(217) 585-5437

thehopeschool.org

A multifaceted educa-tional, residential, healthservices, research andtraining provider.

Llaa SchlOne Old Homestead Road

Glen Arbor, Mich.(231) 334-5800

leelanau.org

Structured residentialprograms. Also offerssummer programs.

Lia-BllLarig Prcsss740 N. Waukegan RoadSuite 207, Deerfield

(847) 412-1841lindamoodbell.com

Teaches reading, lan-guage comprehensionand math to childrenwith dyslexia, hyperlexiaand autism.

Saf Hav Schl937 Happ Road, Northfield(847) 509-5885

safehavenscho

Therapeutic kids ages 5-internalized disabilities.

Sarig eAca8320 S. Madis

Burr Ridge

(630) 323-290

soaringeagleac

Therapeutic for students ages 5-adole

Th Achi

Ctrs I6425 S. Willow

La Grange Hig

achievementc

Psychoeducaevaluations,language, otherapy, socments and p

Th Cv 350 Lee Road,

(847) 562-210

coveschool.or

A private K-school.

Th Lil GChil Car830 S. Addison

Villa Park

(630) 261-628

eastersealslily

An inclusivechild care ce

Elite Stars All Sport Camp, see Page 37.





Thraptic Schl& Ctr fr AtismRsarch1939 W. 13th St. (13th Streetand Damen Avenue)Chicago(312) 432-1751 (school)(312) 491-4110 (central office)eastersealschicago.org

Education, research, train-

ing, academic and thera-peutic services, school-to-work transition andon-site adult vocationalprogram on one campus.

ePILePSyda diFatiP.O. Box 46576Chicago(800) 278-6101dannydid.org

Resources for parents,information on SUDEP,seizure warning devicesand awareness-raisingevents. Helps familieswho cannot afford sei-zure warning devices.

epilps Fatif Gratr Chicag17 N. State St., Suite 1300Chicago

(800) 273-6027(312) 939-8622epilepsychicago.org

Programs and servicesfor individuals of all ages.

GeneRALAbraham LiclCtrs3858 S. Cottage Grove Ave.Chicago

(773) 285-1390abelink.org

Special education andmental health services,adult developmentaltraining programs,homebound programsand programs for people

with mental illness.

Accss Livig115 W. Chicago Ave.Chicago(800) 613-8549

(312) 640-2100accessliving.org

A nonresidential center.All services are free.

Aixtr Ctr2001 N. Clybourn Ave.

Chicago

(773) 973-7900

anixter.org

Provides education,employment, life skills,communication, rec-reation, health care,counseling and support.Dozens of locationsacross Chicago.

Bl Cap2155 Broadway St.

Blue Island

(708) 389-6578

blue-cap.org

Physical, occupational,speech and developmen-

tal therapy for childrenages birth-3. Also offersschool for children withdevelopmental disabili-ties ages 3-21. On-siteday care for childrenages 2-5 is available.

Cathlic Charitis721 N. LaSalle St.Chicago(312) 655-7000catholiccharities.net

Counseling availableon a sliding fee scalethroughout Chicagoland.Also offers residential

care for people with dis-abilities at MisericordiaHome in Chicago.

Ctr fr erichLivig280 Saunders RoadRiverwoods(847) 948-7001centerforenrichedliving.org

Provides skill developmentand education, recreationand social programs. Alsooffers day programs forages 22 and up.

Clarbrk1835 W. Central RoadArlington Heights(847) 870-7711clearbrook.org

Provides experiencesand opportunities for

people with autism,Down syndrome, cere-bral palsy and mentalretardation.

CmmitAltrativsulimit8765 W. Higgins Road

Suite 300, Chicago(773) 867-4000cau.org

Independent case man-agement services forindividuals with a widerange of disabilities.

Cmmit Srvicoptis Ic.6845 S. Western Ave.Chicago(773) 471-4700

cso1.org

Information, education,

planning and servicecoordination.

Cmmit SpprtSrvics Ic9021 W. Ogden Ave.

Brookfield5416 W. 25th St., Cicero

(708) 354-454

communitysup

Offers respitehomes and iliving arrangadult and paport servicessupported etransition pla

classes. Alsooperates theCanine Clubcare, boardinretail sales aal training ppeople with develop skillthe pet care

daon1551 E. Fabya

Geneva

(888) 282-099

(630) 879-227dayonenetwo

Guides indivtheir familiethe maze ofnity servicesneeded serv


Spring

Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation (CUSR)

Champaign, Urbana 217-239-1152 www.cuspecialrecreation.com

Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA)

Aurora, Batavia, Fox Valley, Geneva, Montgomery, North Aurora,

Oswegoland, South Elgin, St. Charles, Sugar Grove

630-907-1114 www.vsra.org

Gateway Special Recreation Association (Gateway)Burr Ridge, Countryside, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Oakbrook, Pleasant

Dale, Westchester, Willowbrook, York Center P.D.

630-325-3857, ext. 110 www.gatewayspecialrec.org

Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)

Chillicothe, Morton, Peoria, Washington Park District

309-691-1929 www.peoriaparks.org/hisra

Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA)

East Peoria, Fon Du Lac, Pekin

309-699-3923 www.ondulapark.com

Joliet-Bolingbrook Special Recreation Association (JBSRA)

Bolingbrook, Plainfeld

630-739-1124 www.bolingbrookparks.org

Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association (KSRA)

DeKalb, Genoa, Sycamore 815-758-6663 x122

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA)

Frankort, Manhattan, Mokena Community, New Lenox

Community, Peotone 815-464-2811 www.lwsra.orgMaine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (M-NASR)

Des Plaines, Gol-Maine, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles,

Park Ridge, Skokie 847-966-5522 www.mnasr.org

Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA)

Addison, Bensenville, Butterfeld P.D., Glendale Heights, Itasca,

Lombard, Medinah, Oak Brook Terrace, Schiller Park, Villa Park,

Wood Dale 630-620-4500 www.nedsra.org

Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA)

Barrington, Cary, Crystal Lake, Dundee Twp., Elgin, Hampshire,

Harvard, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Marengo, McHenry,

Wauconda, Woodstock 815-459-0737 www.nisra.org

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA)

Deerfeld, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Highwood,

Kenilworth, Lake Blu, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Northfeld,

Riverwoods, Wilmette, Winnetka 847-509-9400 www.nssra.org

Northlands Association for Special Recreation (NASR)

Belvidere 815-547-5711; www.belviderepark.org

Freeport 815-235-6114; www.reeportparkdistrict.org

Rockord 815-987-1606; www.rockordparkdistrict.org/tr

Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA)

Arlington Hts., Bartlett, Bualo Grove, Elk Grove, Hanover Pk.,

Homan Estates, Inverness, Mt. Prospect, Palatine, Prospect

Heights, River Trails, Rolling Meadows, Salt Creek, Schaumburg,

South Barrington, Streamwood, Wheeling

847-392-2848 www.nwsra.org

Oak Lawn Park District-Special Recreation Cooperative

Bedord Park, Bridgeview, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen

Park, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, Stickney,

708-857-2200 www.olparks.com

River Valley Special Recreation Association (RVSRA)

Bourbonnais, Kankakee, Limestone

815-933-7336 www.rivervalleysra.com

South East Assn. for Special Parks & Recreation (SEASPAR)

Brookfeld, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Indian

Head Park, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lisle, Western Springs,

Westmont, Woodridge 630-960-7600 www.seaspar.org

South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA)

Country Club Hills, Frankort Square, Hazel Crest, Homewood-

Flossmoor, Lansing, Matteson, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Park

Forest, Richton Park, Tinley Park 815-806-0384 www.sssra.org

South West Special Recreation Association (SWSRA

Alsip, Blue Island, Justice, Merrionette Park, Midlothia

Palos Heights, Posen, Summit, Worth P.D.

708-389-9423 www.swsra.com

Southwestern Illinois Special Recreation Assn. (SWI

Alton, Belleville, Collinsville, Granite City, Highland, O

Roxanna, Wood River 618-346-7529 www.collinsvilleSpecial Recreation Assn. of Central Lake County (S

Grayslake, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Libertyville

Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Vernon Hills

847-816-4866 www.sraclc.org

Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake Coun

(SRSNLC) Round Lake 847-546-8558 www.rlapd.org

Lindenhurst 847-356-6011; www.lindenhurstparks.org

Waukegan 847-360-4760; www.waukeganparks.org

Zion 847-746-5500; www.zionparkdistrict.com

Special Recreation of Joliet and Channahon (SRJC)

Channahon, Joliet 815-741-7275 X169

Special Recreation Services (SRS)

Calumet Memorial, Dolton, Ivanhoe/Riverdale, South H

Thornton 708-841-1071 x233 www.newhopecenter inc

Tri County Special Recreation Association (Tri Coun

Crest Hill, Lemont, Lockport Township, Romeoville

815-407-1819 www.tricountysra.org

Warren Special Recreation Association (WSRA)

Grandwood Park, Gurnee, Warren Township, Wildwood

847-244-6619 www.warrentownship.net/wsra

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WD

Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, R

Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, Winfeld

630-681-0962 www.wdsra.com

West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WS

Berwyn, Cicero, Clyde, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, P.D

Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Hawthorne Park Distr

ridge, North Berwyn, Oak Park, River Forest

847-455-2100 www.wssra.net

Special Recreation Associations in Illinois provide a lifetime of recreation opportunities for children and adults with disa

If your Park District /Village/ City is not listed,

contact WSSRA at 847-455-2100 for assistance

with fnding an agency near you. Please note

P.D. denotes park district. Look for our ad

in this magazine.



GeneRALdPag Ctr frIpt Livig739 Roosevelt RoadBuilding 8, Suite 109Glen Ellyn

(630) 469-2300dupagecil.org

Services include peercounseling, independent

living skills training,deaf/hearing-impairedservices and personalassistant programs.

evisi uliit8 S. Michigan Ave.Suite 1700, Chicago(312) 346-6230

envisionchicago.org

Provides services thatpromote choice, inde-pendence and commu-nity integration.

G ShphrCtr17314 S. Kedzie Ave.

Hazel Crest(708) 335-0020 ext. 10gscenter.org

Preschool, developmental,physical, occupational,speech therapies, Lekotekservices and respite care.

Illiis Chaptrfr Prar-WilliSyrpwsaillinois.org

List of resources andevents for families withthis syndrome.

Istitt disabilitya Hadvlpt-uIC1640 W. Roosevelt RoadChicago

(312) 413-1647ahs.uic.edu/dhd

Services include a familyclinic, a Hispanic diag-nostic and family support

program, a program forages 0-3 and an autismclinic.

Ksht-JwishParts f Chilrwith Spcial ns617 Landwehr Road

Northbrook(847) 205-1234keshet.org

Provides educational, rec-reational and vocationalprograms for childrenand young adults withspecial needs. All of theprograms are integratedwith peers. Multiplelocations throughout theChicagoland area.

La Srvics fIlliis1607 W. Howard, 4th FloorChicago(773) 274-9760

Child-centered servicesand support includebehavior analysis,respite, therapeuticrecreation and caregiverand sibling support.Other services includeadult residential, tran-

sitional services andvocational services.

Lxi KaziaFati-HlpigFr Hav105 Townline RoadSuite 132, Vernon Hills(847) 624-LEXI (5394)helpingfromheaven.org

Helps network familiesthrough fun events forthe child with specialneeds that the wholefamily will enjoy. Also

runs Lexi’s Closet, a placeto request therapy equip-ment parents can’t getfrom their insurance com-pany. Also accepts gentlyused therapy equipmentto share with others.

Littl City Fati1760 W. Algonquin RoadPalatine(847) 358-5510littlecity.org

Residential options,home-based services,

case management, clini-cal services, medical anddental care, employmentopportunities, day sup-ports, recreation, andarts programming.

markl1 S. 450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva(630) 593-5500marklund.org

Medical and dentalcare; residential facilitiesin Bloomingdale andGeneva; rehabilitativetherapies; education andday services; community-based respite and early-intervention programs.

miArica Srvicdgs’ Fati3 Grant Square, #354Hinsdale(630) 272-8159midamericadogsfounda-tion.org

Provides service andcompanion dogs tochildren and adults withdisabilities.

na FailySrvics5547 N. Ravenswood Ave.Chicago(773) 769-4313neumannfamilyservices.org

Provides education, hous-

ing, recreation, rehabilita-tion, training and employ-ment opportunities topeople with disabilitiesand mental illness.

nw Hp Ctr1624 E. 154th St., Dolton(708) 841-1071newhopecenterinc.com

Services for individuals

with developmental dis-abilities.

oak LydvlptalSrvics411 Chicago Ave.

Oak Park

(708) 524-1050

oak-leyden.org

Vocational and residentialservices for adults andtherapy, educational and

family support for infantsand young children.

Pir Ctr4001 Dayton St., McHenry

(815) 344-1230

pioneercenter.org

Serves people withdevelopmental dis-abilities, mental illness,traumatic brain injuryand provides early inter-vention therapies forchildren ages birth-5.

Pr CpigPharacy603 E. Diehl Road, Suite 131

Naperville

(877) 976-7873

purecompounding.com

Makes custom prescrip-tion medications with-out allergens or artificialadditives.

Ray GrahaAssciati901 Warrenville Road

Suite 500, Lisle

(630) 620-2222raygraham.org

Vocational, residential,educational, respite,therapeutic and rec-reational services andsupports at 35 locationsin DuPage County.

SHoRe CitySrvics Ic.Regenstein Center

4232 Dempster St.Skokie

(847) 982-2030shoreinc.org

Programs include resi-dential, early interven-tion, supported living,home-based services,senior program, voca-tional, in-home respiteand adult day services.

SthwstCity Srvics6775 Prosperi Drive

Tinley Park(708) 429-1260

The SCS Phoenix Center19015 Jodi Road, Suite A

Mokena (physical therapy)

(708) 478-1414swcsinc.org

Treats pediatric and

adult clientarray of devtal, congenacquired dispecializingpalsy and oromuscular Also offers occupationalanguage atherapies.

St. Cltta18350 CrossinSuite 103, Tinl(708) 342-520stcolettail.org

Provides elethrough highcation. Also Training Cenprogram congroups hom15 southwecommunitiesEarly childhowill be starti

Sbrba 925 W. 175th Homewood(708) 799-919suburban-acce

Handles casment and sedination to iwith developdisabilities.

The Hadley School for the Blind, see Page 37.





Shrirs Hspitalfr Chilr

2211 N. Oak Park Ave.

Chicago

(773) 622-5400

shrinershq.org/hospitals/main

Provide pediatric ortho-

pedic surgeries, plastic

and craniofacial surgery,and spinal cord injury

rehabilitation to children

under age 18 at no

charge.

InConTInenCeSuPPLIeS

Prgrssivmical Spply15534 S. Cicero

Oak Forest

(708) 687-8340

Sells incontinence sup-

plies, including diapersand pull-ups, in all sizes.

Walgrs micalMultiple locations in city and

suburbswalgreens.com

Four stores sell incon-tinence supplies forall sizes. The medicalsupply store is locatedwithin Walgreens storesat the following loca-tions: 11 E. 75th St.,

Chicago, (773) 224-1211; 107th Street andCicero Avenue, OakLawn, (708) 424-3594;7510 N. Western Ave.,

Chicago, (77

1765; 7113

Road, Berwy

795-5550.

LeGdPal uSpcial e

Avcacy 14 E. Jackson

Suite 100, Chi

(312) 362-829

law.depaul.edu

Th FrishipCircl f Illiis3068 Antelope Springs

Northbrook(847) 943-9770fcil.org

A helping hand to fami-lies who have childrenwith special needs,

involving them in afull range of social andJudaic experiences.

Triity Srvics Ic.100 N. Gougar Road, Joliet(815) 485-6197trinity-services.org

Provides residential ser-vices, adult learning pro-grams, vocational pro-grams, an autism center,respite services, in-homesupports, a drop-in cen-

ter and therapy.

HeALTH

Ability Halthcar1100 Lake St., Suite 120Oak Park(708) 848-8488drjulieklarich.com

Natural health carewithout the use ofdrugs. Also offers natu-ral healthcare seminarsand workshops.

Avcat HpChilr’s Hspital4440 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn

(708) 684-8000advocatehealth.com/hope

Treatment for childrenwith a wide range ofdisabilities and medicalissues.

Chilr’smrial Hspital2300 Children’s Plaza

Chicago(773) 880-4000

(800) KIDS-DOC (543-7362)childrensmemorial.org

Illinois’ only freestand-ing hospital exclusivelyfor kids. Provides a widerange of services.

Cystic FibrsisCtr f Chicag2401 Ravine WaySuite 302, Glenview

(847) 998-3434chicagocfcarecenter.org

Medical practice serveschildren and adults withcystic fibrosis.

La Rabia Chilr’sHspitalEast 65th at Lake MichiganChicago

(773) 363-6700larabida.org

Children with complexmedical conditionsreceive the array ofservices they need underone medical home roof.

mAGIC Fati6645 W. North Ave.Oak Park

(800) 362-4423magicfoundation.org

Support and educationfor children and adultswith growth disorders.

natr First1800 Nations DriveSuite 112, Gurnee

(847) 263-0480naturefirstmedical.com

Biomedical approach toevaluation and treat-ment. Additional loca-tions in Woodstock andOakbrook.

Pfiffr TrattCtr/HalthRsarch Istitt4575 Weaver ParkwayWarrenville

(630) 505-0300hriptc.org

Medical outpatient facil-ity specializing in thetreatment of symptomsfrom biochemical imbal-ances.

RhabilitatiIstitt fChicag-Piatric &

Alsct Prgra345 E. Superior St.Chicago

(800) 354-REHAB (7342)ric.org

Treats children frombirth through adult-hood with a widerange of diagnoses,from mild stroke tomajor trauma.


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Therapeutic and recre-ation programs for kidswith special needs.

Chicag Chilr’smusuNavy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave.

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dlphi Swi ClubCrystal Lake, Skokie andLoves Park

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Small-group and privatelessons from teachersexperienced in workingwith students who havespecial needs.

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Third Thursday of every

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Occupational therapy ingymnastics setting andaquatic therapy in warmwater pools.

Grat LaksAaptiv SprtsAssciati400 E. Illinois Road

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glasa.org

Offers inclusive rec-reational, fitness andcompetitive sportsactivities.

Has Ctr15 W. 431 59th St.

Burr Ridge

(630) 620-2222

ray-graham.org

Programs includehorseback riding, sports,

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Karat Ca-d!North Shore Dojo2081 Johns Court

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Keen (Kis ejyexrcis nw)ChicagP.O. Box 06255Chicago(312) 876-2535

keenchicago.orgRecreational opportuni-ties for kids and youngadults with physical andmental disabilities, at nocost to their families.

Right Fit7101 S. Adams St., Unit 7Willowbrook(630) 850-4050right-fit.com

Right Fit’s fitness pro-grams “Raise the Bar”for youth and adults withautism spectrum disordersare taught on and off-site.

Schl fPrfrig ArtsSpctru Prgra200 E. 5th Ave., Suite 132

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TLIllinois Center forRehabilitation and Education

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Toy lending library.

SuPPoRTAriFacP.O. Box 751112Las Vegas, Nev.(888) 769-9264

ameriface.org

Provides information andsupport to individualswith facial differences.

Bth Lac Ctrfr Spprt

5416 W. 25th St., Cicero(708) 354-4547 ext. 142communitysupportservices.org

Bilingual resources.

Clbrat diffrcs5 E. Washington St., Oswego(630) 885-3006

celebratedifferences.org

Education, resourcesand support for familiesof children with anydisability.

Ctr frIpt Ftrs743 Main St., Evanston(847) 328-2044independentfutures.com

Helps individuals with dis-abilities and their families.

Chilh Strk& HiplgiaCctis fIlliisP.O. Box 3252, Lisle(630) 854-4058

cshconnections.org

A local support andinformation group.

dspraxiaFati uSA3059 N. Lincoln Ave., Unit CChicago(312) 489-8628dyspraxiausa.org

Support for develop-mental dyspraxia.

eagl’s nstWillow Creek Community

Church

67 E. Algonquin Road

South Barrington

(847) 855-9571

willowcreek.org/disabilities

Support group for parentsof special needs children

meets twice a month onSaturday afternoons.

Failis f Spialmsclar Atrph925 Busse Road

Elk Grove Village

(800) 886-1762

fsma.org

Check the website forlocal chapters.

Fail RsrcCtr disabilitis

20 E. Jackson Blvd.Room 300, Chicago

(312) 939-3513

frcd.org

Provides informationand support for families,plus free seminars.

Lifcar HSltis Ic.8330 S. Madison, Suite 90

Burr Ridge

(630) 932-4032

lcius.com

Bonded, insured caregiv-ers on both a come-and-go and live-in basis.

makig HawaSchwab Rehab Center

1401 S. California Ave. #1

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(708) 945-8360

biail.org/support.htm

A support group focus-ing on brain injuries.

mumS natialPart t Partmatchig150 Custer Court

Green Bay, Wis.

(877) 336-5333netnet.net/mums

Networking system thatmatches parents withother parents whosechildren have the sameor similar condition.

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Spcial Parnts frSpcial Kis212 Barney Drive (inside

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A parent-led group opento all parents, regardlessof their child’s diagnosis.

Spprting IllinisBrthrs an Sistrs3800 N. Lake Shore Drive

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sibsnetwork.org

Provides support tosiblings of people with

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Tsa’s Chil4028 W. Irving Park Road

Chicago

(773) 282-5274

tuesdayschildchicago.org

Therapeutic classroomsprovide behavioral and

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Offers Early Intervention

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developmental, behav-ioral and occupationaltherapies. Also a thera-peutic summer camp.

THeRAPyAlt an ChilThrap Srvics708 Washington St.

Woodstock

(815) 338-1707

adultchildtherapy.org

Offers physical, occu-

pational and speechtherapy, as well as nurs-ing services.

Avntist PalsnPiatric Rhab222 E. Ogden Ave.Hinsdale

(630) 856-2600keepingyouwell.com

Physical, occupationaland speech therapists,and a pediatric audiolo-gist.

All Bright Thrapis1957 W. Dickens, Chicago(773) 789-9640allbrighttherapies.com

Speech/language, occu-pational and feedingtherapy for children.

Art & Sl1509 W. Berwyn Ave.Suite 202, Chicago

(773) 878-7685artandsoulchicago.com

Art therapy and counsel-ing services for children,teens and families.

Aspir Chilrn’sSrvics1815 S. Wolf RoadHillside

(708) 236-0979aspireofillinois.org

Comprehensive servicesfor infants and childrenwho have develop-mental delays and dis-abilities.

Assntial Thrapis241 Golf Mill CenterSuite 201, Niles

(847) 699-9757atmfc.com

Feeding clinic and mul-tidisciplinary therapyservices.

BdI Plahs11411 W. 183rd St.

Orland Park1864 High Grove LaneSuite 104Naperville

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Provides a wide rangeof therapy services,intensive programmingfor autism, play groupsand parent training.

Bll Cntf Chicag1754 W. WilsoChicago(773) 878-786bellecenter-chi

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support groworkshops.

Bth ostAssciat9833 Woods DSkokie(847) 663-102home.bethost

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floortime ses

Cntr fInpnThrgh Cecatin100 W. PlainfiCountryside(708) 588-083center-for-inde

Intensive moprogram.

ChicagChilrn’s

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Clinical psyceducational and speech-pathologists

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Provides IntListening Thadults and c

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Physical, occspeech and



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In-home floortime servic-

es, occupational therapy,sports training and musictherapy. Teen center tolearn and practice leisureand social skills.

Cuity ThrapySrvics40W310 LaFox RoadSuite A1/B1, St. Charles(630) 444-0077ctspediatrics.com

Speech, occupational,physical and animal-assisted therapy pro-grams for children.

eastr Sals duPaga th Fx VallyRgi830 S. Addison Ave.Villa Park

(630) 620-4433

eastersealsdfvr.org

Offers physical, occupa-tional, speech-language,nutrition and assistivetechnology therapies forchildren of all abilities.

eastr Sals

Gilchrist - marchaChilr’sdvlpt Ctr1001 W. Roosevelt Road

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Child care services for chil-dren ages 0-5, includingthose with disabilities. Alsoan afterschool program forchildren ages 5-12.

eastr Sals Scityf mtrplita

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Chicago

(312) 491-4110

eastersealschicago.org

Autism services, earlyintervention, inclusive

early childhood educa-

tion, family support and

services, and youth and

adult services.

el Valr1850 W. 21st St., Chicago

(312) 666-4511

elvalor.org

Bilingual, bicultural

rehabilitation center.

eur-Ps natialCtr fr ItsivPiatric PTDoctors’ Hospital of Michigan

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Intensive pediatricphysical therapy centerfor children who havecerebral palsy and other

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eyas Laig

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THeRAPyJwish Chil aFail Srvics216 W. Jackson Blvd.Suite 800, Chicago

(312) 444-2090 jcfs.org

Services for children,adults and families withdisabilities.

Juli Hrr &Assciats earlChilh ThrapCtr2032 W. Grand Ave., Chicago

julieherr.com

Therapies, transitionalkindergarten program(ages 3-6), therapeuticcamp (ages 3-8) andsocial groups.

Kis Ca d Ic.Chilr’s ThrapCtr19100 S. Crescent Drive

Suite 101, Mokena(708) 478-5400kidscando.org

Speech, occupationaland physical therapy.

Kis i mti Ic.4721 W. Midlothian Turnpike

Suite 25

Crestwood

(708) 371-7007

kidsinmotion.org

Physical, occupational

and speech therapists.

Kis i Sc PiatricoccupatialThrap1820 W. Webster Ave.

Suite 304, Chicago

(773) 235-5070

222 Northfield Road

Suite 201, Northfield

(847) 784-9115

kids-in-sync.com

Occupational therapy.

Lars Lariga Pla7313 N. Honore, #2

Chicago(773) 680-7082

larsonlearningandplay.com

Home-based develop-

mental and educational

therapy for children ages

2-13.

Larig thrughPla Ctr frChil dvlpt633 W. Addison St., Chicago

(312) 458-9865

pediatricresources.org

Preschool classes and

developmental play-groups for children ages

2-4.

LeeP Frwardvlptal Cliic400 N. May St., Suite 202

Chicago

(773) 255-8155

leepforward.com

Therapeutic preschool,developmental therapy

and social groups.

LynX ThraputicsPiatric Thrap

9436 Ozark Ave.Morton Grove

(847) 791-1631

lynxtherapeutics.com

Pediatric therapy andlearning instruction pro-

grams.

milsts-Fr Kis’Succss2901 Finley Road, Suite 101

Downers Grove(630) 792-1800

milestones4kids.com

Pediatric occupational,physical and speech-language therapy.

nurccti800 Roosevelt Road, Building

B, Suite 104, Glen Ellyn1847 W. Jefferson Ave.

Naperville(630) 858-5105

theneuroconnection.com

Neurofeedback practice.

nrth ShrPiatric ThrapGlenview, Chicago andHighland Park

(773) 278-6500 (city)(847) 486-4140 (suburban)

NSPT4kids.comThree pediatric multidis-ciplinary clinics.

Pathwas Ctr2591 Compass Road

Glenview(847) 510-5600

pathwayscenter.org

Assessment and inter-vention for childrenwith motor, sensory,feeding/swallowing andcommunication impair-ments.

Siha Cliic

2560 Foxfield RoadSuite 240, St. Charles

(630) 762-9606

sinhaclinic.com

Holistic approach to treat-ment, including dietaryand spiritual needs.

Scial eavrs1416 Lake St., Suite 1

Evanston

(847) 213-9161

(773) 339-7619

socialendeavors.net

Treatment services to

help children ages 2-10develop age-appropriatesocial and communica-tion skills.

Spcial Thrap Car11750 S. Western Ave.

Chicago

(773) 779-580

specialtherapy

Occupationa

SPoT 4 Ki29-D Stonehill

Oswego

(630) 554-615

spot4kids.com

Therapy cen

Supr Sta5400 East Ave

Countryside

(708) 352-309

flyinghighgym

Full-service rec center thpediatric ocand physicaprogram.

Th disc1306 Waukega

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Parts Alliaceplt Prjct2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302

Lisle

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Free individualizedemployment services.

SthStar Srvics1005 W. End Ave.

Chicago Heights

(708) 755-8030

southstarservices.org

Assists with vocation,community living andsocial integration.

SpctrVcatial Srvics2302 Wisconsin Ave.

Downers Grove

(630) 852-7520littlefriendsinc.org

Offers training andvocational opportunitiesfor teens and adults.

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Comprehensive supportedemployment services.

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Thrap ygaGastics Rck1845 Raymond Drive

Northbrook

2610 Commerce Drive

Libertyville

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therapygymnastics.com

Pediatric occupational,physical and speechtherapy in gymnasticand yoga centers.

uIC Chil & Faildvlpt Ctr1640 W. Roosevelt Road

Room 336, MC628

Chicago

(312) 413-1567

uic-cfdc.org

Program offers servicesto the child and familythat are individualized,evidence-based, andfamily-centered.

Vital RhabilitatiCliics a Srvics5820 W. Irving Park Road

Chicago

(773) 685-8482

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Developmental, occu-pational, physical andspeech therapies. Also

offers in-home services.Locations in Chicago,Park Ridge, MerrionettePark and Schaumburg.

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(800) 244-4906

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Services include voca-tional assessment,applications training onmost computer softwareand rehabilitation adap-tations for home, workand school environ-ments.

Avs tIpc515 Busse HighwayPark Ridge(847) 292-0870avenuestoindependence.org

Residential housing, jobplacement and workshops.

CAReS Chicag700 N. Sacramento Blvd.Suite 221, Chicago(773) 265-3300careschicago.org

Employment, trainingand support services.

CrrstSrvics Ic.Career Solutions800 Black Road, Joliet(815) 727-6694career-solutions.org

Assists young adults andolder adults with dis-

abilities to find and keep jobs in the community.

dka Ic.400 N. County Farm RoadWheaton(630) 665-8169donkainc.org

Provides computertraining to read, write,continue their educationor advance skills neededfor the workplace.

FASd Vcatial

Traiig - Ar WThr yt?1260 Iroqouis Ave.Suite 104, Naperville(630) 369-4152nofasillinois.org

Vocational training andprograms. Additionallocations in Des Plainesand New Lenox.

HarrsBtts.cEaster Seals MetropolitanChicago17300 Ozark Ave.

Tinley Park(708) 802-9050harrysbuttons.com

Adolescents andyoung adults withautism are employedby HarrysButtons.com at Easter Seals, amicro-enterprise thatmanufactures wholesale,handmade custom


SpringChicagoParent.com | Specıal ParentCHICAGo

Spring

ChiCago Specıal Parent Advertiser IAd Name .....................................Page Number(s)

A Big Blast .......................................................................39

Acacia Academy ........................................................... ...33

Aspire ................................................................. ..............22

bellybum boutique...........................................................3

Brehm Preparatory ......................................................... 38

Calian & Gross, LLP ..........................................................22

Chicago Children’s Museum ...........................................43

Chicago Park District.......................................................24

Children’s Memorial Hospital ................................... 51, 56

DuPage Children’s Museum ........................................... 13

Easter Seals DuPage & the Fox Valley Region .......... 7, 51

Euro-Peds .......................................................... .............. 21

Extended Home Listing Services ...................................33

Grand Prairie Transit ....................................................... 18

Horizon Therapy...............................................................11

Inside Out Art Studio ......................................................47

Karate Can Do............................................................... .. 46

Learning Through Play .................................................. 40

Life’s Plan ..........................................................

Macrobiotic Austim Treatment ........................

Marklund............................................................

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities .....

Milestones for Kids Success..............................

Mobility Works ..................................................

PACE ...................................................................

Rush Neorobehavioral Center ..........................

Safe Haven School ............................................

SEASPAR ..............................................................

Sertoma Speech & Hearing Center..................

Sibsations ..........................................................

Smart Love Family Services .............................

Southwest Dental Group ..................................

Special Recreation Assoc. Network of IL .........

Therapy Gymnastics .........................................

Tuesday’s Child..................................................

Ups for Downs ...................................................





Chicago parents have a lot to saabout their children’s doctors

“My daughter has suffered with asthma for many yDoctor Jacobson took the time to really listen to hecame up with a treatment plan that has really chaher life and has greatly reduced the stress on our fam J. Fra

For a complete listing of nominealong with reader comments, viwww.chicagoparent.com/kidsd

“Dr. Freed takes the time to get to know his patientcares about treating them, so that they will have health their whole lives.” D. S

CHICAGO’S FAVORITE

Kids

Doc




Spring

Service Direct

Specıal Parentchicago

See our ad in the Resource Directory.

*Children’s Memorial at Central DuPage Hospital is a collaboration between Central

DuPage Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hospital. The physicians involved in this

collaboration are neither agents nor employees of Central DuPage Hospital or any of its

affiliate member organizations.

*

Visit the web site or call to learn more today.

www.CMHatCDH.org 1.800.KIDS DOC

25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield, IL 60190

TTY for hearing impaired 630.933.4833

*Children’s Memorial at Central DuPage Hospital is a collaboration between Central

DuPage Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hospital. The physicians involved in this

collaboration are neither agents nor employees of Central DuPage Hospital or any of its

affiliate member organizations.

*

Visit the web site or call to learn more today.

www.CMHatCDH.org 1.800.KIDS DOC

25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield, IL 60190

TTY for hearing impaired 630.933.4833

thaNK you to our SPoNSorS

PeDiatric theraPy SPeciaL NeeDS DeNtiS

H Physical Therapy

H Occupational Therapy

H Speech/Language Therapy

H Nutrition Therapy

H Aquatic Therapy

H Assistive Technology

H Outreach Programs

H Specialized Clinics

H Audiology Services for All Ages

H Inclusive Child Care Services

H Social Services

Villa Park Elgin Naperville

630.620.4433

Easter Seals DuPageand the Fox Valley Region

www.eastersealsdfvr.org

Helping infants, children and adultswith disabilities achieve maximum

independence and providing support for the families who love and care for them.

Exceptional care and patient comfort in hand at Southwest Dental Group. Tgives special needs children and adultexperience they can feel good about -

option of IV sedation

for situational aWe believe there’s no need too specia

(708) 403-335516600 South 107th Court, Orland P

Dr. Tentler holds diplomate status in the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists.

Dr. Robert L. Tentler and Associates, General D

At Southwest Dental we take special care o

special ne

SIBSENSATIONSPROGRAM FOR SIBS OF KIDS WITH SPECIAL N

SIBSENSATIONS gives siblings (ages 8-13) of children with special needs a chance to mpeers in a fun, friendly setting where they can share common joys and concerns. Througactivities and discussions, they will form friendships, learn about disabilities and discovehandle tough situations they all face.When: Saturdays: 2/11, 3/17, 4/21, 5/12. 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.Cost: $10.00 per session, registration is required.

Where: YacktmanChildren’sPavilion–1675Dempster-ParkRidge,ILContact: KathrynSmartMSRN,847-723-9484•[email protected]

SiBLiNg SuPPort

Specıal ParentCHICAGO

SUMMER2011ANEMPOWERMENTGUIDEFROM

THE

play’s THEthing

Interactive theater for kids with autism

Sound of music

Therapy findsnew role

296resources you need

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Look for the Summer issueof Chicago Special Parent

this July!





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February2012FREE


A

Stand-upparents4 of Chicago’s funniest

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HATES your kids

Caughtin the actPlus liking, loving and dating your spouse

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Every month

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Twice a Year



G a

l l e r y

1) Brett2) Maddieand Sammie

3) William4) Brittany5) Mia6) Ethanand Liam7) Ethan8) ZoeySend your child’sphoto to [email protected].

1

2

3

6

7

8

108

4

5

Striving

Toward

IndependenceThe College of

DuPage Photo-

journalism and

Portraiture studentscollaborated with

Easter Seals DuPage

and the Fox Valley

Region for the 12th

annual Photography

Exhibition to feature

more than 20 children.

Photo by Marita Blanken

Photo by Bec

Photo by J

Photo

Photo by Photo by Bethany Foy

Photo by Chris Johnson

Photo by Barbara Kohn


Spring53 | Specıal ParentChiCago




W hen Sabrina Walega blew out herknee last year and was sidelinedfor the season, the three-sport ath-

lete refused to sit out of competition. At one meet, Sabrina, who had a torn ACL and three bone chips, started suitingup and had to be told again she couldn’tcompete. But that kind of determinationdoesn’t surprise Sabrina’s parents, Debbieand Gene.

“She said ‘I have two good arms andone good leg,’ and she wanted to go back,”says Sabrina’s mom. Sabrina, 14, who hasDown syndrome, started taking gymnastics when she was 10. Before long, she was alsocompeting—and winning—in dance andcheerleading.

The petite seventh-grader has competedin Texas and St. Louis, and will soon travel to Atlanta and Indianapolis. Because of her size,she’s a “flyer” in cheerleading, meaningshe’s tossed high into the air.

“She gets a rush out of it. Ithink it’s the daredevil factor,” saysher coach Patty Hermann. “She’sdefinitely driven by challenge.”

Since her first competition four years ago, Sabrina also has beendriven by the desire to win.

“The first time she com-peted, she received a rib-

bon and she was mad,”her dad, Gene, remem-bers with a laugh.“She wanted to makethe podium.”

Since then, inthe past 40 meets,Sabrina has taken afirst place in every competition. And while some of thoseare Special Olympics

competitions, the majority are regular gym-nastics meets with typically developing kids.

But Sabrina’s used to pitting herself

against her peers. Her twin siblings, Samand E.J., 15, are only a year older and wereher benchmark growing up.

“She always wanted to be like hersister,” Debbie says. “She’s competitive withboth of them,” Gene adds.

When Sabrina was first born, Debbieand Gene admit they initially grieved forall the things she wouldn’t do. It didn’t takelong, though, for them to decide she woulddo whatever her siblings did.

When doctors said Sabrina wouldn’tbe able to drink out of a bottle and wouldgo home with a feeding tube, Debbie said

no way. She spent hours working with hernewborn, successfully taking her home

drinking from a bottle.Sabrina started physical ther-

apy at six weeks, and whatevershe worked on in therapy, herparents continued workingon at home. Still, it wasn’tuntil Debbie heard aboutPatty’s gymnastics and cheerprogram that Sabrina really

blossomed.When Debbie andGene called Patty,

she told them theprogram was full,but they couldbring Sabrinain to meet withher anyway. Assoon as Patty worked withSabrina, sherealized the

young girl heldunusual talent

and opened a spot on the team for Since then, Sabrina has expande

cheerleading and competitive danc was talk of putting her on the list la

to compete internationally in gymnuntil they realized she was still too to qualify.

Through it all, she maintains heless, determined attitude, often pra20 hours a week and never compla when the uneven bars rip open blisher hands.

“When she was first born we th‘She’ll never be able to do what thekids do,’” Debbie says. “But she pro wrong.”

Teen tumbles, cheers to first place

INSPIRATIONS

Fast facts

Who: Sabrina Walega, 14

Family: Parents Debbie and Glings Sam and E.J.Hometown: ChicagoWhat she does: Compe

tes in tics, cheerleading and dance at and national levels through Elit Athletics

Hardest part: “Floor exerciselot to remember.”

How does it feel to competeI’m nervous the whole time. … scary to get thrown in the air.”

Elite Star Athletics

(847) 8043545

Elitestars.org

Offers a competitive training

for people with special needs frup in gymnastics, cheerleading,

tive dance and figure skating.



Sabrina Wa

STORY A

BY LIZ



ChiCago Parent’s

annual CamP guideMonthly through May

For more information, call (708) 386-5555or visit ChicagoParent.com

February2012 FREE


A

Stand-upparents4 of Chicago’s funniest

When your neighbor

HATES your kids

Caughtin the actPlus liking, loving and dating your spouse

THE SEX ISSUE

CabinfeverFind your

kids’ camp

now

Cam201



To learn more about the new hospital, scan this tag.

Toget the Tag Reader, visit http://gettag.mobi

© 2012 Children’s Memorial Hospital

There’s never been

a children’s hospital

like this before!

Opening downtown June 2012Learn more at childrensmemorial.org/newhospital

is becoming

Lahela, pat

The expansiveness of this hospital is as impressive as the wonders it holds. Onsite clinical research

expedites breakthrough discoveries from the research labs to the patient’s bedside. Sharing the

medical school campus of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine allows for fantastic

collaboration with adult care physicians and researchers. All part of an awe-inspiring vision to

make Chicago the healthiest place in the nation for kids. PREPARE TO BE AMAZED.

chicago special parent 2012

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