Day Program

 🌟 Our Day Program

Our Day Program provides adults with autism and developmental differences the opportunity to build life skills, foster social growth, and enjoy meaningful daily learning experiences.

Participants engage in activities such as:

🎨 Arts and Crafts – encouraging creativity, fine motor skills, and self-expression

🍳 Light Cooking – teaching independence, nutrition awareness, and safety in the kitchen

📘 Individualized Learning Plans – tailored to each person’s strengths, goals, and learning style

🎶 Music & Movement – promoting expression, relaxation, and sensory regulation

🧩 Life Skills Practice – such as laundry, cleaning, budgeting, and communication skills

⏰ Structured Free Time – giving participants choice, independence, and peer interaction

🤝 Community Contributions – preparing our Sensory Bins, a project that builds confidence while giving back to other families and schools

💡 Beyond Activities: Real-Life Impact

The Day Program isn’t just about filling time — it’s about creating purpose, growth, and belonging.

Builds independence through daily routines and hands-on practice

Strengthens social skills with peer interaction and teamwork

Offers structured consistency that reduces stress and supports emotional regulation

Provides opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and personal choice

Helps participants contribute to their community in meaningful ways

Provides families peace of mind, knowing their loved one is engaged, supported, and safe each day

✨ Why It Matters

Too often, adults with autism and developmental differences are left with limited options after high school. Our Day Program fills that gap — creating a space where participants can learn, grow, and thrive, while families know their loved ones are valued, included, and supported.

Link for Day Program registration click HERE

Thanks to the McHenry County Mental Health Board we do offer Day program scholarships for participants who reside in McHenry County ONLY. For further inquiries regarding the McHenry County Scholarship, please call us at 224-538-9736 or email us at rockinthespectrum@yahoo.com. If you do not qualify for the McHenry Mental Health Board scholarship, Rockin' The Spectrum also offers a tuition scholarship. Please keep in mind that you can receive only ONE scholarship.

Link for Rockin' The Spectrum day program scholarship form HERE

Link for Day Program handbook HERE

For the 2026 Day Program Calendar please click HERE

To fill out the tuition form please click HERE

For our new family checklist please click HERE

For our Day program registration fee payment link please click HERE

For our Day program application fee payment link please click HERE

For our day program pricing, please click HERE

🧡 Day Program – Full-Day Schedule

Tuesday–Friday | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🕙 10:00–10:20 | Arrival & Morning Routine

Participants arrive, put away belongings, take care of personal needs, review the day’s plan, and choose a calm starter activity or hobby.

🧠 10:20–11:00 | Life Skills & Learning

Focus on everyday skills such as following routines, making choices, safety awareness, and helping care for our shared space.

💃 11:00–11:15 | Movement Time

Daily movement to support regulation and focus—stretching, walking, dancing, or movement games.

🎨 11:15–12:00 | Activity Block (Rotates)

Activities vary by day and may include:

Art or sensory projects, cooking or food preparation, Music (singing or instruments – once weekly),Independent work or one-on-one

support

🍽️ 12:00–12:30 | Lunch & Personal Care

Participants enjoy lunch together, practice cleaning up, handwashing, brushing teeth, and social conversation.

🧘 12:30–1:00 | Movement & Calm Time

Gentle movement and calming activities to help everyone reset and feel comfortable.

⭐ 1:00–1:45 | Individualized Support & Hobbies

Participants work independently or one-on-one with staff on personal goals, preferred hobbies,

puzzles, or calming art activities.

👥 1:45–2:45 | Group Activities & Social Skills

Group games, shared projects, and social skill practice that encourage communication,

cooperation, and confidence.

🎒 2:45–3:00 | Wrap-Up & Dismissal

We review the day, pack belongings, and prepare for a smooth transition home

Weekly Highlights 

● Daily: Movement and regulation activities 

● Weekly: Music activities (singing or instruments) 

● Fridays: Community Skills & Safety (recycling, signs, directions, waiting, street safety practice) 

💙 Our Approach We use a regulation-first, strengths-based approach. Participants are supported with choices and individualized pacing so everyone can participate in a way that feels safe and successful. 

💬 Day Program – Family FAQ

❓ What days and hours is the Day Program offered?

Our Day Program runs Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Families may choose full-day or half-day enrollment options.

❓ What does a typical day look like?

Each day follows a predictable routine that includes:

● Arrival and settling in

● Life skills and safety learning

● Daily movement activities

● Rotating activities such as art, cooking, sensory projects, and music

● Lunch and personal care

● Independent work, hobbies, and one-on-one support

● Group activities and social skill development

Daily movement and regulation time are built into the schedule, but participants may also use it as needed!

❓ What if my family member is not ready to work or participate?

We use a regulation-first approach. If a participant is feeling overwhelmed or needs a break,

they are offered appropriate alternatives such as:

● Puzzles

● Coloring or calming art

● Sensory tools

● Quiet space or movement

These activities are considered meaningful participation, not refusal.

❓ Do participants receive one-on-one support?

Yes. Participants may work:

● Independently

● One-on-one with the head teacher

● One-on-one with a program aide

Support levels are adjusted based on individual needs and may change throughout the day.

❓ What kinds of activities are included?

Activities may include:

● Life skills and safety lessons

● Art and sensory projects

● Cooking or food preparation

● Music (singing or instruments, once weekly)

● Movement activities such as stretching, walking, or dancing

● Community skills practice (especially on Fridays)

Activities are adapted to each participant’s abilities and comfort level.

❓ Is movement required?

Movement is encouraged daily, but it is always adapted.

Participants can choose standing movement, chair-based activities, or gentle stretching.

❓ What happens on Fridays?

Fridays focus on Community Skills & Safety, such as:

● Sorting recycling and trash

● Reading signs and symbols

● Practicing waiting and turn-taking

● Following directions

● Learning about community and street safety (role-play or supervised practice)

❓ What personal care support is provided?

Participants are supported with:

● Handwashing

● Brushing teeth

● Brushing hair

● Bathroom routines

Support is provided respectfully and based on individual needs.

❓ What should participants bring each day?

Families are encouraged to send:

● A packed lunch (if staying through lunch)

● Any personal care items needed

● Comfort or sensory items if helpful

We recommend clearly labeling personal belongings.

❓ How do you handle safety concerns?

Safety is our top priority.

If a safety concern occurs, staff follow program procedures and complete an incident report as

needed. Families are notified according to our policies.

❓ How do you communicate with families?

We value open communication and are happy to share updates, answer questions, and discuss

progress or concerns. Families are encouraged to reach out at any time.

💙 Our Philosophy

We believe participation looks different for everyone.

Our program focuses on choice, dignity, regulation, and growth, meeting participants where

they are each day.