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What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It is a spectrum disorder, which means it includes a large range of symptoms and behaviors. Typically, children display repetitive behaviors and difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction and play activities.
Early identification is essential for future success. The characteristic behaviors of autism may or may not be visible in infancy, but usually become obvious during early childhood (24 months to six years).
How Has Easter Seals Answered the Call to Autism?
In January of 2007, Easter Seals of LaSalle and Bureau Counties began facilitating community meetings in the effort to increase awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a result of these meetings, Easter Seals LaSalle and Bureau County has created a Community Autism Plan. This plan outlines not only the services needed for individuals with ASD and their families, but also contains an action plan for our community to access such services.
The Illinois Valley Autism Resource Center is Established
Through the generous support of The Coleman Foundation and The Autism Program, Illinois Department of Human Services, The Hope Institute for Children and Families, fiscal/administrative agent and convener, Easter Seals has been able to establish the Illinois Valley Autism Resource Center.
The Illinois Valley Autism Resource Center provides a Family and Community Resource Room. This resource room has been modeled after The Autism Program (TAP) center in Springfield and was developed as an outreach program for families and professionals working with children with Autism.
The resource room contains a wide variety of resources including: visual supports, books, Boardmaker (a software program that creates visual cues for tasks), DVDs, games, structured teaching kits, computer software programs, internet access, learning aids and other materials.
The resource room is available for families, service providers, educators and the general community.
Many of the materials are provided free of charge and other materials are available on loan for two weeks. Advice and assistance will also be available for families. The Easter Seals LaSalle and Bureau Counties hope the Illinois Valley Autism Resource Center will become a one-stop, trusted resource of Autism information for the Illinois Valley community.
The Autism Resource Center will also provide Autism Spectrum Disorder related trainings for parents and professionals throughout the Illinois Valley.
See the results of the Illinois Valley Autism Resource Center!
For information regarding the Illinois Valley Autism Resource Center, please call (815) 431-9126.
Autism Resource Center Coordinator: Pam Gast
Autism Training Coordinator: Judy Ilgen
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