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Summer Break is right around the corner.  Visit our resource page to download an example "Summer Break Social Story".  The story is available in both English and Spanish.

I'm a new paragraph block.

Visit our resource page to download a visual and interactive card for Mother's Day.  The card is available in both English and Spanish.

Not So Puzzling: Autism & Social Narratives

Tuesday, 5/12/2026 12:00-1:15pm CST

Learn about social narratives, which are short stories that use words/pictures to understand a specific situation, event, place, or person. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how to write and use a social narrative.  Workshop provided in English.

Adiós pañales – Aprendiendo a Ir al Baño para Niño/as con Necesidades Especiales

Viernes, 5/22/2026 12:00-1:15pm CST

Aprender a ir al baño puede ser un proceso difícil para niño/as con necesidades especiales.  En este entrenamiento, padres, cuidadores y educadores podrán aprender las respuestas a preguntas comunes sobre el uso del inodoro como: ¿Cómo sé si mi hijo está listo?  ¿Necesito utilizar una recompensa o un motivador?  ¿Cómo abordo los ciertos problemas como tener miedo de descargar el baño, usar demasiado papel higiénico y otros problemas?

Todos los talleres son para familias/cuidadores, educadores y otros profesionales a menos que se indique lo contrario.

UIC's Blend Lab Presents:

Finding the Right Fit: What Families Should Know About ABA Services

Wednesday, 5/27/2026 12:00-1:15pm CST via Zoom

Are you getting the ABA services your family deserves?
Bring your questions. Leave with a checklist on what you can do next.

QUESTIONS FAMILIES BRING
•Why are there so many hours? Should there be?
•Are they really including my child in decisions?
•My child seems unhappy — what do I do?
•Can they help my child in their classes?
•How do I know if this is working?
•Who do I call if I have concerns?

Plus: additional coordination of resources through CARES (UIC), and current openings for parent/caregiver training.

Sibshops for Children and for Teens: Spring 2026! 

Hosted by Advocate Children's Hospital

Sibshops are open to ALL kids that have a brother or sister with special needs or chronic illness. They do NOT need to be a patient of Advocate, and this is NOT an insurance-based program. All Sibshops programming is currently complimentary.

Teen Sibshops (Ages 12+)

May 15 & June 19, 2026

Groups meet via Zoom from 5:00 - 6:30 PM

Sibshops (Ages 6 - 11)

May 16 & June 20, 2026

Spring groups will only meet via Zoom from 10:00 - 11:30 AM

For questions or to register, contact Ahren Hoffman, Sibshop Coordinator

ahren.hoffman@aah.org or 872-843-0300

HAVE Dreams

May 2026 Parent/Caregiver Support Group

Special Presentation: Legal and Financial Planning for Individuals with Disabilities

When: Wednesday, May 20, 12:00 - 1:00pm via video call

What: Please join us for a presentation on legal and financial planning for individuals with disabilities, including information on Illinois ABLE accounts and special needs trusts. Experts John Gottwald, financial advisor, and Edward Olivieri, attorney, will share insights on planning for your family's future.

Who: This group is open to the community, including parents, grandparents, or caregivers of individuals who currently participate in Have Dreams' programs, have participated in the past, and/or for those who are not connected with our programs and services. Any caretaker of a neurodivergent individual is welcome to join! 

Click here to RSVP!

Parent Training for Children with Disabilities

Naturalistic Interventions-Incidental Teaching

This is a research study to explore the effectiveness of Telehealth training in incidental teaching for parents.  Incidental teaching is a naturalistic approach to learning that is used within everyday activities.  This method uses the child's interests and is play based!  Our research will measure the effect on your child's social communication skills.

You and your child will participate in this study together!  This study is for parents who have a child between the ages of 18 months-5 years old.

Parents must be 18 years or older and speak English.

Children must have a diagnosed intellectual disability or developmental delay.

This study will take place over Zoom!

For more information, please contact Victoria Aragon at varago3@uic.edu/619-778-7819 or Emily Gregori at egregori@uic.edu

Limes Smiles for Miles Summer Garden Camp- 3 to 6 years old

Limes Smiles for Miles 10 Weeks Summer Garden Camp

Open Saturdays Only — June 6th to August 8th, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

A 10-week summer garden program for children ages 3–6.

Activities include nutrition education, STEM learning, early intervention, physical development, parent group sessions, and support for children with Autism/Down Syndrome.

For more information, please call 773-217-5095.

To register, click here.

Chicago Children's Theatre

Camp Red Kite

Camp Red Kite is a dynamic theatre day camp for young people on the autism spectrum. During three fun-filled weeks, campers ages 8-22 explore drama, music, and visual arts! Throughout each camp day, campers rotate through engaging arts classes with their age-appropriate small groups, growing their sense of community, imaginative thinking, and self-confidence.

Camp runs July 13-July 31, 2026

Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:30pm

Location: 100 S. Racine Ave, Chicago

For ages 8-22.

Financial assistance is available!

Click here for camp information.

Spectrum Sailing Camp- Jackson Park

Spectrum Sailing (501c3), the only National Autism Sailing Program, is excited to set sail in Chicago, IL on June 16-18, 2026.

Hosted by the Jackson Park Yacht Club, this 3-day progressive camp will give 20 autistic kids, ages 10-17, the opportunity to develop new skills, make friends, and build confidence, all while enjoying the adventure of sailing in a fun, supportive environment.

Location: Jackson Park, Chicago

20 kids will be selected via lottery.

Camp is 100% free for all participants

Apply here to be entered in the lottery.

***Also offered at Montrose Harbor.  Dates are also June 16-18.

Questions? Visit www.spectrumsailing.org or email info@spectrumsailing.org

Your feedback is important. This brief survey supports both The Autism Program of Illinois' (TAP) requirements and RCADD’s service reporting and quality improvement efforts. Your responses help us understand what is working well and how we can continue to improve services for the community. The survey is voluntary, confidential, and should take only a few minutes to complete. 

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Su opinión es importante. Esta breve encuesta cumple con los requisitos de TAP y también apoya los esfuerzos de RCADD para reportar servicios y mejorar continuamente la calidad de los mismos. Sus respuestas nos ayudan a entender qué está funcionando bien y cómo podemos seguir mejorando los servicios para la comunidad. La encuesta es voluntaria, confidencial y solo le tomará unos minutos completarla. 

Gracias por compartir su experiencia.

RCADD is part of UIC's Center for Literacy, which has been serving Chicago communities for over 30 years. Both are programs of the UIC College of Education.

The Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays provides support for those who care for, teach and serve children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental delays. RCADD serves families currently enrolled in an Early Head Start or Head Start program as well as others throughout the Chicagoland area.

RCADD offers support at no cost to our patrons in the form of resources, referrals, training and ongoing consultations for families and professionals.

Disclaimer: The Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays (RCADD) provides educational resources, training, and information to support individuals with autism and developmental delays. Our materials and recommendations are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. RCADD does not endorse specific products, services, or providers and is not responsible for third-party resources. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance. 

Questions or comments? Contact us.