Therapeutic Day School - New Autism Center Opens in Illinois

According to the Autism Society of America, one child in every 150 births will have some degree of Autism. This is an often quoted figure and one which no longer gives me pause. Autism is a rising epidemic in America. And knowing that there are schools out there that can assist kids like my son, Matthew, is the only reason that I haven't truly given up the fight against this condition.

Anyone who is a parent of a child with Autism in the State Of Illinois, knows that there are very few schools out there in our state that actually deal exclusively with children on the Autism Spectrum. It is with great happiness that I can say, there is another one! As I live in an area, outside of Chicago, that appears to have very few of these schools, I was still quite stunned to read about another school opening in the Northwest Suburbs. And I was thrilled.

While I like the school Matt attends right now, there are things that some of the schools seem to lack, and I am hoping that eventually, all schools, including Public ones will have more than just therapy and IEP's. It's not really that simple, but to me it might as well be. Academics are very important along with therapy. And as I read the programs that are included at this new school, I was impressed more than I would normally admit. The school, which is called the Alexander Leigh Center for Autism is located in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. And the list of Developmental Programs is nothing short of a mother's dream:

One to One Support

Creative Arts Programs

Music Therapy

Family Support Services

Daily Living Skills

These are the ones that caught my eye specifically. The others are often typical of most programs, although probably not as intensive as the programs to be had at this new center. It is my contention through 13 years of experience that the Arts and Music can offer A LOT of help to children with Autism. And this center actually utilizes that theory. Public schools often offer similar programs but the problem is having kids with Autism in with the "mainstreamers" as I tend to call the other kids, doesn't always work.

So, when it comes to private schools/centers like this one, it's absolutely imperative that they have programs like this. It can benefit the kids more than anything else. I speak from personal experience. I have written previously about Matt's love of music, specifically. It's one of the few things that calm him. That and computers. But, to me, having another school option available gives me some hope that school districts will open their eyes to the fact that not every Day School is the same for every student with every kind of disability.

Children with Autism should be in schools designed around their disability. The State should be helping fund more of these schools. And I am sure that there is funding available, should someone be willing to fight for it. And if the school Districts would STOP having contracts with just one school, and be more open to other placements, then these kids would be getting, not only the education they need, but the services necessary to HELP them. There are far to many loop holes in the Leave No Child Behind theory.

Therefore, it is great to see that there is now another school out there that is on the side of children with Autism. And how the school came into being is the truly inspirational part of it all. So, I say good for Kelly Weaver and Dorie Hoevel.

They have inspired me to want to fight for what my son needs. I am by no means saying, however, that any parent of a child with Autism, doesn't already fight to do what's best for their kids. I am just saying, let's fight harder. Let's make the districts see that they have to do more! Don't give up!

For more information you can visit the website of the Alexander Leigh Center for Autism:

www.alexanderleighcenterforautism.com

For more information on Autism please check out the following websites:

National Autism Association: www.nationalautismassociation.org

Autism Society of America: www.autism-society.org

Autism Society of Illinois: www.autismillinois.org

And to read the entire article on this wonderful new Center for Autism please visit:

www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=107906&src=1