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Education

All Children Are Special

Dr Patricia McGuire MD FAAP, The Pediatric Profiler, is an author, speaker, and clinician whose area of expertise is challenging children and youth. She is available for keynotes, seminars, and workshops dealing with ADHD, autism, learning disorders, and other emotional and behavioral challenges.

2215 Westdale Drive SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 

(319) 365-1006

info@allchildrenarespecial.com

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Autism Service Provider and Beyond

We integrate developmental foundations and behavior principles in order to create the best outcomes for all children and families that we serve. We provide in-home ABA, center-based intervention, and parent education and support groups. All of our programs are individualized to fit the needs of each learner and their family.

800 W. 5th Avenue Ste 104
Naperville, Illinois 60563 

(630) 548-0749

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Autism Services Group (Formerly known as: Skill Sprout – Autism & Therapeutic Pediatric Services)

At ASG, we offer a large array of support, programs and services to help children and families facing the challenges of autism and other neuro-disabilities—all under one roof. This coordinated multidisciplinary approach saves time, reduces stress and supports each individual child and family in the best way possible. Services include diagnostic assessments, applied behavioral analysis, speech/language therapy, and social skills/counseling, along with a variety of family programs.

8500 N. Knoxville Avenue - Ste A.
Peoria, Illinois 61615 

(309) 713-2841

info@skillsprout.com

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Autism Society of the Quad Cities

The Autism Society of the Quad Cities is a chapter of the Autism society of America www.autism-society.org. We serve Scott, Muscatine, and Clinton Counties in Iowa and Rock island, Henry, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. The Autism Society of the Quad Cities provides information, education, support, and advocacy in the Quad Cities and surrounding area to maximize the potential of persons with autism and those affected by autism.
P.O. Box 472
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 

(563) 386-6359

gnrowe47@gmail.com

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Autism, Behavioral & Educational Services

Our mission is to provide quality services and intervention strategies to children on the autism spectrum and their families. We strive to use the most advanced and evidence-based teaching strategies available. Our teaching techniques are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. We aim to teach children skills that can be generalized across a variety of people and settings. Parent training is an essential part of our program that ensures the child continues to apply and hone those new skills throughout the day. We regularly coordinate our efforts with interdisciplinary team members such as teachers, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists.

151 W Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, Illinois 60115 

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Balance Autism

We are a leading autism service organization, providing a balance of innovative therapy and passionate care. Together, we unite science with imagination, evidence with creativity and research with compassion - to bring balance to the lives of those we serve. For Family. For Community. For Life. Services Offered: • Clinic Based Applied Behavior Analysis • Consultation and Training • Family Training and Coaching • Social Skills • Supported Community Living (children)

4959 Utica Ridge Road
Davenport, Iowa 52807 

563-362-9631 or 1-888-2-AUTISM

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Black Hawk Area Special Education

TThe Black Hawk Area Special Education District (BHASED) is a special education joint agreement between thirteen local school districts in the Illinois counties of Henry, Mercer and Rock Island. We cover approximately 1,200 square miles and serve parents and school staff that work with approximately 30,000 public, private and parochial school students. We want teachers, parents, students, school administrators and all others that we serve to trust that BHASED staff are a valuable resource; that we are a team of professionals willing to partner with them to facilitate the appropriate education and socialization of all students.

4670 11th Street
East Moline, Illinois 61244 

(309) 796-2500

jutz@bhased.org

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Camelot Therapeutic Day School of the Quad Cities

Quad Cities provides academic and therapeutic services for children, adolescents and young adults ages 3 to 21 with extraordinary needs including Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Autism and Other Health Impairments.

3601 69th Avenue
Moline, Illinois 61265 

(309) 517-6330

dsingley@cameloteducation.org

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Child Abuse Council

Every Child (formerly Child Abuse Council) is a bi-state, regional, non-profit agency with more than 40 years' experience providing child abuse prevention, education and treatment programs for children and families in the bi-state metropolitan area and surrounding communities. Our goals for every child served are (1) a safe and nurturing home; (2) a secure parent-child relationship; and (3) an environment supporting successful growth and development.

524 15th St.
Moline, Illinois 61265 

(309) 736-7170

info@foreverychild.org

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Customized Technology, INC

In addition to customized, user friendly IEP database software, we offer a Goals and Objectives Book. This provides excellent staff guidance for meeting NCLB, as well as facilitating development of measurable IEP goals and objectives and school improvement.

7305 35th Ave Ct
Moline, Illinois 61265 

(309) 798-0257

AKeller1@att.net

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Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy

ELSA is a four-year, post-secondary certificate program for young adults, ages 18-28, with differing abilities. Elmhurst College provides an inclusive environment with opportunities for students to interact with their peers in various activities. Students are able to participate in clubs, organizations, events and other activities on campus along with their degree-seeking peers. As a student, you will continue to grow as an individual and build your skills for lifelong-learning opportunities, with the goal to work productively and live as independently as possible.

190 Prospect Ave
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 

(630) 617-3752

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Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center

Helping struggling students achieve success through a variety of individually built programs including tutoring.

1210 Jordan St Suite 2A
North Liberty, Iowa 52317 

(319) 626-2553

info@enrichmenttherapies.com

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Family Matters – PACT

Family Matters-PACT is committed to empowering families by providing resources, intervention and education that preserve, enhance and strengthen relationships.

3600 E State St #316
Rockford, Illinois 61108 

(815) 877-7228

info@familymatters-pact.com

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Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center

Family Matters, a project of Community Support Systems, was funded as a Family Support Program, in 1989, by the Illinois Department of Human Services in order to assist families to keep their children with disabilities living at home by providing, locating, or creating the needed supports. The most prevalent need expressed by parents in 1989 and through the present, is for information about obtaining more, better, different, or more appropriate special education services.

Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center 1901 S. 4th St., Ste. 209
Effingham, Illinois 62401 

Toll-Free: 1-866-4FMPTIC (1-866-436-7842) Fax: 217-318-3516

becca@thearcofil.org

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Family Resources

To strengthen children, families and individuals by providing quality services that engage community resources to create effective solutions.

2800 Eastern Ave
Davenport, Iowa 52803 

(563) 326-6431

info@famres.org

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Field Education Consulting (FEC), LLC

Through their home business, Eric and Erin specialize in helping students find best fit colleges. While we work with a variety of students with disabilities. Post secondary planning, arts advising, disability advising, homeschool advising, standardized test prep and tutoring services & workshops.

2108 Redgewood Avenue
Muscatine, Iowa 52761 

(563) 275-4114

info@fieldeducationalconsulting.com

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Four Oaks

At Four Oaks, we offer a variety of services to help children and families be successful. The TotalChild approach—where we serve children and families in an all-encompassing way, rather than just addressing one issue at a time—permeates everything we do.

5400 Kirkwood Blvd SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 

(319) 364-0259

info@fouroaks.org

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Have Dreams

Have Dreams is a Chicago-area nonprofit serving children, teens and adults impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We offer after-school, workplace training and adult day programs, along with diagnostic and family support services. Serving ages 16 months to adulthood, we offer a broad range of programs to serve the full range of the autism spectrum. Come learn about what we do and how to support our cause.

515 Busse Highway - Suite 150
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068 

(847) 685-0250

info@havedreams.org

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IL LEND

The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program provides long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training designed to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals with disabilities. This goal is accomplished by preparing trainees from diverse professional disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields, and by ensuring high levels of interdisciplinary clinical competence. LEND focuses training on the policy, advocacy, research and clinical skills necessary to affect positive change on all levels, from the individual to systems.

1640 West Roosevelt Rd (MC 626), Room 215
Chicago, Illinois 60608 

(312) 996-8905

rmeza3@uic.edu

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Individual Advocacy Group

Individual Advocacy Group is a CARF accredited not-for-profit organization dedicated to community- based supports and personal advocacy for individuals with special needs. IAG provides training programs, behavioral and individual therapies, community- based residential programs, advocacy and case management for individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, brain injuries or physical/medical conditions. All of IAG’s programs are community- based and all residential programs are family scale of four or fewer people using neighborhood housing and apartments. IAG provides its services in 21 counties in Illinois from Chicago to the Quad Cities to Springfield to Peoria and Champaign, as well as the District of Columbia and Maryland.

4366 Kennedy Dr A
East Moline, Illinois 61244 

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Iowa Vocational Rehabilitations Services

We provide expert, individualized services to Iowans with disabilities to achieve their independence through successful employment and economic support.

3827 W Locust St
Davenport, Iowa 52804 

(563) 386-1200

chad.pratz@iowa.gov

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Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

As Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) shares the vision of "a life in the community for everyone." We partner with Iowans with disabilities, their family members, providers, state and local agencies, and many others to improve the health and full community participation of persons with disabilities, and to advance the community supports and services on which they rely. We work towards our goals through University training, community training, technical assistance to state and local agencies/organizations, clinical services and direct community supports, research and policy analyses, and information sharing.

100 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, Iowa 52242 

(319) 353-6900

meredith-field@uiowa.edu

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Job Corps

A program administered by the United States Department of Labor that offers free-of-charge education and vocational training to young men and women ages 16 to 24.

902 W Kimberly Rd.
Davenport, Iowa 52806 

(563) 484-9001

national_office@jobcorps.gov​

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Kirkwood Community College Focused Skill Training Program

The ASK program at Kirkwood is a support program for students with autism spectrum disorder. The ASK program is an extra layer of support in addition to the academic accommodations for students with high functioning autism spectrum disorder, including Asperger's syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder-NOS, and other related disabilities. ASK staff work with students to create an individualized plan for each student by integrating Kirkwood resources, community partnerships and research-based interventions.

6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 

(319) 398-7752

amanda.thompson@kirkwood.edu

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Kreider Services

Kreider Services is still a private, not-for-profit, charitable organization known in the state of Illinois for its quality services. Over 600 clients are provided an array of programs and services including development/skill training, a production department that provides on-site training and employment, a community employment service, individual supports, respite care and Early Intervention for children 0-3 years of age.

500 Anchor Road
Dixon, Illinois 61021 

(815) 288-6691

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Little Friends Center for Autism

At the Little Friends Center for Autism, we have the groundbreaking treatment programs and nationally respected staff to empower clients for life. Treatment starts at a diagnosis­––when we create a comprehensive strategy for your child­––and continues through social skills groups, applied behavior analysis, speech therapy and more. With a plan tailored to their strengths and needs, your child will develop the skills needed to flourish in our community.

140 N. Wright Street
Naperville, Illinois 60540 

(630) 305-4196

info@lilfriends.com

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Mississippi Bend Area Education Center

The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency provides programs and services designed to support quality education for all students by improving teaching and learning. Special Education services comprise about 80 percent of the AEA budget and include: Academic Consultants, Behavior Consultants, Hearing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, School Psychology, School Social Work,Speech, and Vision. 
Early ACCESS is a partnership between families with young children (birth to age 3) and providers from Iowa’s AEAs, the Iowa Departments of Education, Public Health and Human Services, and Child Health Specialty Clinics. Families and Early ACCESS staff work together to identify, coordinate and provide needed services and resources that help families assist their infants and toddlers in their growth and development. 
Early Childhood Special Education services are available to children ages 3-5 who may be identified as needing special education services. The AEA is the system within Iowa who has been given the responsibility for identifying children with special needs.

729 21st Street
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 

(563) 359-1371

mshihadeh@aea9.k12.ia.us

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Mobile Therapy Centers

We provide ABA therapy, Speech Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Counseling services in home, in clinic or at private school/childcare settings. Expanding to the QC this summer! 

1870 W. Winchester Road Suite 203
Libertyville, Illinois 60048 

(847) 816-7200

rroos@mtcus.com

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National Autism Association

The National Autism Association is a nonprofit organization focused on addressing urgent issues that families and individuals in the autism community often face, including wandering/elopement, suicidality, bullying, restraint/seclusion, abuse, mistreatment, and discrimination. Project Found provides grants and fundraising suggestions to support autism safety initiatives, such as providing GPS trackers for children with autism who may be at risk for wandering.

National Autism Association 
One Park Avenue, Suite 1
Portsmouth, Rhode Island 2871 

877.622.2884

naa@nationalautism.org

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Options for College Success

Our program was started by two mothers and career educators who specialize in serving the special needs population. Our program focuses on six areas of a student's life. We take an individualized approach to ensure that each student is able to realize their full potential. No cutting corners, just the help they need when they need it. Academics, Careers, individual living skills, finance, social skills, social activities

1515 Maple avenue, suite 190
Evanston, Illinois 60201 

847-425-4797

INFO@OPTIONSFORCOLLEGESUCCESS.ORG

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Parent Empowerment Groups

Advocacy, educational consulting, and informational conferences.
Eldridge, Iowa ` 

(563) 484-9402

parentempowermentgroups@gmail.com

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Project SEARCH

St. Ambrose University will serve as a Project SEARCH host site. Project SEARCH is a national program established 21 years ago to help students, ages 18-21, who have intellectual or developmental disabilities gain competitive employment skills.

518 Locust St
Davenport, Iowa 52803 

563-333-6000

Molly.Michels@cchmc.org​

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PURPOSE Coaching

PURPOSE. is not school, church, or law enforcement affiliated and is different from mainstream educational, mental health, and wellness systems. Through a variety of alternative therapy practices and coaching strategies, it is the goal of PURPOSE to empower individuals to identify, define, and express their innate strengths to maintain Life-Balance, Confidence for Learning, and Ongoing Wellness.

1800 7th Ave, Ste 301
Moline, Illinois 61265 

309-798-0511

blayer@purposeqc.com

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Rock Island County Regional Office of Education

RIROE Early childhood programs provide support and information on child development to the families of Rock Island County. Services include Personal Home Visits, Parent & Child Activities, Lending Library and Pre-K Classrooms. They also provide developmental screenings. Developmental screening allows for early identification of developmental concerns, and also assists families in learning what to expect from their child’s development and what activities will encourage their child’s further development. Screenings are held monthly (from September-June) for children ages four months to five years old.

3430- Avenue of the Cities
Moline, Illinois 61265 

(309) 736-1111

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St. Ambrose University Accessibility Resource Center

At SAU, all students get the chance to demonstrate their academic abilities. Our Accessibility Resource Center does not lower course standards or alter degree requirements. It does offer services and reasonable accommodations intended to reduce the effects a disability may have on your performance in a traditional academic setting. Services include academic advising, advocacy, alternative exam arrangements, assistive technology, books in alternative formats, assistive listening devices, learning disability specialists, note takers, screening and referrals, sign language interpreters, other accommodations, and staff can serve as a liaison with outside agencies. SAU's Accessibility Resource Center goes beyond federal law to provide strong programming and support services, and has been nationally recognized. This spring, collegechoice.net ranked SAU as one of the 50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

 

STARNET (Northwest Region I and Central Region III)

Family fellowships, family resource directory, conferences, modules and workshops promoting family-centered perspectives. Family resource specialists, who are parents of children with special needs, are available to provide training, information and support to families and providers. Consumer Stipend Funds to attend parent training conferences. Applications and guidelines available on website. 

Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education
WIU - Horrabin Hall 32z
1 University Circle
Macomb, Illinois 61455 

(800) 227-7537

starnet@wiu.edu

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TAP The Autism Program

The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP) Service Network is the largest comprehensive statewide provider of autism services in the country. A collaboration of 15 agencies operate 17 centers across the state to provide services to children, families, educators, day care providers, and medical professionals.

The Autism Program of Illinois Hope Pavilion 5220 S. 6th Street Rd., ste 1700
Springfield, Illinois 62703 

217) 585-5178

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The Arc Quad Cities Area

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with its headquarters located in Rock Island, Illinois. Founded in 1952, The Arc mission is to empower people with disabilities to believe in their own unique abilities and achieve their full potential by providing quality, innovative services that focus on advocacy, independence, employment, meaningful community life and personal happiness. Through residential options, day programming, work services, and advocacy efforts, The Arc serves the needs of individuals throughout the Quad Cities Area. The Arc’s programs are designed for individuals of all skill levels and offer a variety of options for individuals with developmental and other disabilities. Programs Include: Residential Services, Work Services, Community Employment Services, Assistive Technology, Developmental Training, Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, Community Support Day Programs, and Transition Supports.

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UI REACH Program

The University of Iowa REACH Program is a transition certificate program for college students with disabilities, such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities. UI Reach provides a Big Ten college experience and empowers young adults to become independent members of the community. Coursework, campus life, and career experiences prepare students to reach their full potential. UI REACH also offers alumni events. 

University of Iowa
240 S. Madison Street
S229 Lindquist Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52242 

319-384-2127

reach@uiowa.edu

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UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital – Iowa City

University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital is a teaching hospital for children founded in 1919, located in a standalone structure that opened in early 2017 next to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and overlooking the university's football home of Kinnick Stadium

Center for Disabilities & Development
100 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, Iowa 52242 

(319) 467-5658

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Understood

Understood is a comprehensive, free online resource to support parents of kids with learning and attention issues and empower them to help their children thrive in school and in life. Created by 15 nonprofit partners, Understood provides personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a safe community of parents and much more. Our goal is to help the millions of parents whose children, ages 3–20, are struggling with learning and attention issues. We want to empower them to understand their children’s issues and relate to their experiences. With this knowledge, parents can make effective choices that propel their children from simply coping to truly thriving.

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University of Iowa Children’s Hospital Center for Disabilities and Development

As Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) shares the vision of "a life in the community for everyone." We partner with Iowans with disabilities, their family members, providers, state and local agencies, and many others to improve the health and full community participation of persons with disabilities, and to advance the community supports and services on which they rely. We work towards our goals through University training, community training, technical assistance to state and local agencies/organizations, clinical services and direct community supports, research and policy analyses, and information sharing.

100 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, Iowa 52242 

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West Music

A music store offering many services including music lessons and classes ranging from early childhood to music therapy. Music therapy provides adaptive lessons, group activities and more from our certified Music Therapists. West Music also supports Soundreach Choir, a special needs choir that meets weekly at All Saints Lutheran Church.

131 W. 2nd Street
Davenport, Iowa 52807 

(563) 388-8205

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