Community Support and Training
Connecting individuals, families and the community
As part of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Illinois’ University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, we have access to innovative research centers and renowned leaders in the field of disabilities. That partnership lets us connect you to the very latest research and practices in consultation, support and education for the disability community.
Our community doesn’t end there—we’re embedded in the Chicago community, with individuals, families, students, educators, providers and other professionals that work with us to serve and support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Community groups
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The Coalition of Autistic Neurodivergent Students (CANS)
CANS is Chicagoland's only student peer group geared specifically toward college students on the Autism spectrum
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Grupo SALTO
With over 500 families served, Grupo SALTO is the state’s largest support program for Latino families of children with an autism spectrum disorder
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Tu y Yo
Young adults with autism mentoring, educating, advocating, and sharing a message of acceptance of individual differences
Training
We offer educational trainings and workshops based upon the needs of the disability community. In the past, we’ve covered a variety of topic areas:
- Disability
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
- Sexuality and disability
- Healthy sexuality for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
- Healthy sexuality for adolescents/Adults with autism
- Puberty and your child with IDD
- Sexual self-advocacy
- Behavior management
- Anger management training for adults with IDD
- Dealing with challenging sexual behaviors
- Dual diagnosis
- Dual diagnosis treatment strategies
- Group treatment options for adults with IDD
- Mental health assessment for people with IDD
- Assessing suicide and violence risk for people with IDD
- Disability and the family
- The influence of culture and the family
- Family dynamics and raising a child with a disability
- Trauma/abuse prevention
- Transition planning
You can always find upcoming trainings on our calendar. If you’d like to see a specific topic covered, let us know!