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General Information on Services Children with Autism & Other Disabilities are Entitled to, and Who to Contact to Access These Services ( Illinois Resources in Particular, but With National Ones as well in Order to Locate your State's)
This list is not necessarily exhaustive, but should be somewhat comprehensive. Please feel free to contact me at any time for further information. Cathy, President, Mothers From Hell.
Eligible children ages Birth to Three are entitled to Early Intervention (EI) Services which include assistive technology, early identification and assessment, family training and counseling, health services, medical services, nursing services, nutrition services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, service coordination, social work services, developmental therapy, speech and language therapy, audiology services, transportation, and vision services. In Illinois call 800-323-4769 or check www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/eisnp for the location of the nearest intake office, and nationally 919-962-2001 www.nectas.unc.edu EI services are available to children regardless of income or ability to pay for services.
John Agosta, Vice President, Human Services Research Institute, www.hsri.orgDr. Michael Chez, M.D. and parent, http://www.neurologychannel.com/pediatricneuro
Lucy Gwin, Editor, Mouth Magazine, www.mouthmag.com
Matthew Cohen, Special Education Attorney, Illinois www.monahan-cohen.com
Tony Paulauski, Executive Director, ARC of Illinois, www.thearcofil.org
Beth Randal, MFH2 Founder, busymom_x_4@yahoo.com
Frank Stepnowski, Parent, Attorney
The MFH2 Advisory Board may include, but is not limited to, parents/family members of individuals with special needs, professionals in the disability field, and self advocates. The term of an Advisory Board member is 3 years and is renewable. Advisory Board membership includes a complimentary membership to MFH2 during their term. Advisory Board members will:
An email list for advisory board members only is also being set up.
Contact cathy@mothersfromhell2.org.
Children with disabilities ages 3-21 are entitled to services provided by their local school districts. Children are entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) provided in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) which begins with the classroom or setting that their typically developing peers would be in. Supports may include an individual paraprofessional aide, adapted curriculum, assistive technology, adaptive physical education, functional behavioral analysis and a behavior plan utilizing positive behavioral interventions. Related Services include audiology, counseling services, early identification and assessment, medical services, occupational therapy (this includes sensory integration!), orientation and mobility services, parent counseling and training, physical therapy, psychological services, recreation, rehabilitation counseling, school health services, social work services, speech and language services, and transportation. Contact your state board of education for a copy of the parents' rights complete book. In Illinois call 217-782-4321, nationally contact the National Association of State Directors of Special Education 703-519-3800. Organizations that assist with obtaining these services for your child by providing advocacy and training are called Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI), Centers for Independent Living (CIL), and State Protection and Advocacy Agencies for Persons With Developmental Disabilities (PADD). In Illinois: PTI's are Designs for Change 312-236-7252, www.dfc1.org ; Family Resource Center on Disabilities 312-939-3513 www.ameritech.net/users/frcdptiil/index ; Family TIES Network 800-865-7842, www.taalliance.org/ptis/fties ; to find your local CIL contact 800-587-1227, 217-782-9689 or 312-814-4037 ; PADD is Equip for Equality 800-537-2632, www.equipforequality.org . Nationally contact for PTI Alliance Coordination Office 888-248-0822, www.taalliance.org ; for CIL Independent Living Research Utilization Program 713-520-0232, www.ilru.org , ARC of US 301-565-3842 www.thearc.org ; for PADD 202-408-9514 www.protectionandadvocacy.com . another source of information is www.ideapractices.org which lists the federal regulations alphabetically by subject and remember, federal law supersedes state laws and regulations.
Children with disabilities are entitled to Service Coordination which includes advocacy and information on and assistance in obtaining all services within the community, school and government that your child is entitled to. In Illinois the agencies responsible for providing this service are called Pre-Admission Screening Agents (PAS Agents), because they are also funded by the Department of Human Services- Office of Developmental Disabilities (DHS-ODD) to facilitate residential and adult services. To locate the PAS Agent in your area for an intake contact your local CIL, or the state PTI or PADD as referenced above.
Children and their families are also entitled to Respite Care in order to assist in allowing the child to remain in their least restrictive setting - their home. In Illinois this is funded through DHS-ODD and services vary throughout the state. Services are not based on income. To find your local respite provider in Illinois and nationally contact the National Respite Locator Service 800-773-5433 www.chtop.com . The above advocacy organizations can help you access these services.
Children with disabilities are entitled to Rehabilitative Services in order to remain in their homes. These include transportation, structural/equipment items such as ramps, fences, etc. supplemental therapies in addition to school provided ones, home health care (nursing services for example,) homemaker services and personal assistant/respite care. Personal assistants come into your home and provide care & therapies to the child, they can also take the child to therapies, recreational services, etc. Services are not based on income but may be affected by assets. In Illinois contact your local Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services (DHS-ORS) found either in the phone book or call 800-843-6154 www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/rsnp ; and nationally contact your local CIL. The above advocacy organizations can help you obtain these services.
Many area agencies and service providers have access to family support money from the state which can be used in a variety of ways - contact your CIL for referral to the one(s) in your area.
Children with medical cards are eligible for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment services. These include medical visits, dental services, therapies such as physical, vision services, etc. Visit www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/epsdthm , your service coordinator or other advocate for further information.
Other resources to contact:
General information:
Illinois - Illinois Lifespan Project 800-588-7002
Medical assistance:
Illinois- Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) www.dscc.uic.edu/dscctext/index 217-793-2350
Family Voices - Illinois 888-950-8683 familyvoicesillinois@yahoo.com , nationally www.familyvoices.org 888-835-5669
Support:
In Illinois - Family Support Network 309-693-8981 www.familysupportnetwork.org
Nationally - MUMS 877-336-5333 www.netnet.net/mums
Autism:
Illinois - Autism Project www.illinoisautismproject.org 708-354-5730 & Autism News www.autismnews.net
Nationally - as there are so very many resources my best recommendation is to contact these two Illinois resources for their information regarding other states' information.
Camps:
Illinois - JCYS Camp Red Leaf 847-740-5010 www.jcys.org
Nationally - American Camping Association 800-428-2267 www.acacamps.org
Adaptive Physical Education:
National - www.palaestra.com
Again this is in no way a complete listing of resources - these are places to start.
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