OUR SERVICES
Autism | Community Living | Employment | Early Childhood
AUTISM SERVICES
We are the leading nonprofit service provider for adults and children with developmental disabilities, including autism. Through family navigation and support, parent training and education, therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, respite and individual support, social skills training, pre-employment training, community inclusion, and community education, we offer a full scope of services so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work, play, and act.
Our team creates individualized plans to develop and improve communication and social skills while troubleshooting challenging behaviors. Our services include parent training, family support groups, and community-integration.
THE BEST ME I CAN BE
After being able to establish some trust with a new individual she supports, Katie began working with him on interrupting and letting conversations flow smoothly from person to person. The two of them set some goals, with Katie explaining how these smaller goals also aligned with his overall goals for self-improvement.
That night, the individual shared a Youtube video he found that replicated the message she was trying to convey earlier. He had really taken their session earlier that day to heart.
The very next day, he had a breakthrough! They finished an entire 40 minute conversation with no instances of interrupting. After Katie congratulated him for his progress, he had a moment of reflection and said,
“Thank you for working with me and not giving up on me, Miss Katie. I really feel like I can be the best me with your help!”
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
We provide an individualized approach to developing the skills, confidence, and experience necessary to find and keep a job. With our Community Connections Program, Pre-Employment Program, Project SEARCH, Summer Teen Employment Program, and Support Employment services, we prepare each individual and their family for a successful career path.
A PATHWAY TO UNDERSTANDING
A young man who had been struggling to understand why he was unsuccessful in the jobs he had had over the past few years came to Easterseals Midwest.
After an evaluation, he was diagnosed and the challenges he was experiencing were explained.
Our staff member Landy instantly went to work providing all the resources possible to help him achieve and maintain employment.
He was able to enroll in our LINK program, which teaches the social skills necessary to succeed in the workplace.
"Finally, the entire family felt they were on their way to understanding his needs and getting the appropriate support in place," Landy said.
EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
At Easterseals Midwest, we know that a child’s environment and social experience in their first three years of life is critical to their brain development. We create nurturing environments that educate and include children of all abilities. Through early intervention service such as home visiting and therapy services, we create an educational foundation that promotes bright futures for families.
FINDING HIS VOICE:
Victoria had been working with a family for more than eight months. Despite many efforts, the parents were beginning to give up hope that their 2-year-old would ever start to speak independently.
They began learning sign language in order to be able to communicate with him.
But after countless strategies to encourage him to speak, he finally began to attempt to imitate the sounds others made as they spoke during a session!
“Still, two weeks later, when an adult uses short phrases or single words, he is attempting to imitate the sounds every time!” Victoria said.
COMMUNITY LIVING SERVICES
Our team works with families and individuals to determine the best option of services for their specific needs and situation, whether that means going into the family home or helping an individual move into a home of their own. We’re there beyond the moving process and offer a large scope of services - from visiting a few hours a week to assist with money management and budgeting abilities, safety skills, nutrition and meal preparations, and medical assistance to 24/7 oversight.
A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP
It always makes us proud to see people we support thriving in their community.
An instance that comes to mind for Lindsay is of a group of five friends who live in the same apartment complex and have all formed a special bond.
They often get together to play games, eat dinner, and walk around the community.
The individual Lindsay supports within the group is working on losing weight.
He recently walked 17,000 steps and couldn’t wait to tell everyone.
“The compassion his friends show him and the encouragement they give him is very heartwarming,” Lindsay said. “I love their friendship and how they look out for one another!"