Autism Services
Easterseals is the leading nonprofit provider of services for individuals with disabilities, including autism. For nearly 100 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education, and support services, Easterseals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work, and play in their communities.
Why Choose Easterseals Midwest
We encourage and expect parental participation in the development of goals and any ongoing programming. We keep you informed through regular presentations of data to support the progress of your loved one with autism. We aim for independence and success for every individual we support, yet we will continue to be a resource for you and your child as they grow up and face new challenges. Based on your child’s specific needs, we can connect you with other services and therapies available through Easterseals Midwest or other agencies in your region. We will also work to ensure coordination of care with other service providers and school teams.
Our qualified team works with individuals who have autism, as well as with their families, to help them develop communication and social skills while troubleshooting problem behaviors. Easterseals customizes our services to meet each individual’s and family’s need for support. A wide variety of services — including parent training, autism assessments, early interventions, respite services, family navigation, family support groups, community-integration support and therapies — are available.
Family Navigation & Support
When first learning their child has autism, parents often feel lost, confused, and overwhelmed. For these families, our specialists are here to help. Each family receives an individualized plan to help their child reach his or her maximum potential.
Parent Training & Education
Our in-home family services provide support and issue-specific behavior training for any person with autism, regardless of age, and their loved ones. We also offer a two-week intensive On-Site Parent Training program that merges group instruction, individual sessions, and guided observation. Parent Training is not just about teaching skills to the child, but teaching the parent how to best understand the child and the nature of their disability.
Therapy & Assessments
Easterseals Midwest Autism Services offers a variety of therapies to meet each individual’s needs. Available therapies include:
• Speech & Language Therapy*
• Occupational Therapy*
• Physical Therapy*
• Music Therapy*
• Autism Assessments*
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is the practice of modifying an individual’s environment to improve the way he or she interacts with society and the world. ABA-based services offer the most effective, evidence-based treatment strategies for those with autism. ABA is data-driven. We take data on specific targets to track each individual’s acquisition of new skills. ABA therapists identify targeted behaviors that need to increase (i.e., socially acceptable behaviors) or that need to decrease (i.e., inappropriate behaviors) and design specific interventions for each.
Respite/Individual Support
We provide assistance to individuals with autism both in the home environment and in the community. Our staff provides a “respite” function that gives children and teens on the spectrum a chance to play and socialize while giving caregivers time to rest and relax.
Social Skills
Our PEERS training is available to teens and 11 to 18 and their parents. This 14-week internationally acclaimed program is designed to help teens with autism develop social skills, build self-esteem, and increase their independence. Our Social Groups, open to a variety of ages, offer a more casual space for individuals to develop and practice social skills while connecting with new friends.
Pre-Employment*
The Pre-Employment Program prepares transition-age individuals for paid employment or volunteerism. Through group training, individuals focus on building the soft skills needed for competitive employment, such as communication and career discovery.
Community Inclusion
Community Inclusion services provide personalized support empowering individuals to be active in their communities. Specialists work on skills such as budgeting, money handling, communication, and public conduct.
Community Education
We offer a variety of programs to better educate our community about individuals with disabilities, including autism. Specialized programs include workshops for doctors, first responders, community groups, and teachers.
To learn more about autism services available at Easterseals Midwest,
please call 1.800.200.2119 or visit eastersealsmidwest.org.
