General Resources

Benefit Planning Resources (SSI, Medicaid, etc)

• Benefit Boost - Teri Bodeman
• Family Benefit Solutions - Sherri Schneider
• Illinois ABLE - Illinois ABLE helps individuals save, while preserving their SSI and Medicaid

Curriculum/Education

• Math 180 - Math Intervention program for grades 5 and up.
• TouchMath
• Read 180 - Reading program for grades 5 and up.
• Systems 44 - Foundational reading support program.
• Understood: Website with tools and tips for students with Learning Disabilities
• Unique Learning System - Comprehensive Curriculum for Special Needs Students
• Wilson Reading Program

General

Please click here for an extensive listing of disability specific websites and online resource pages from the Wilmette D39 PASS39 web page.

• Autism Resources for Families
• CDC Autism Links and Resources
• Creating a Home Where Your Child Can Thrive with a Disability
• Do2Learn - Many free downloadable picture cards to create visual schedules and social stories.
• Moving with Special Needs Kids
• One Place for Special Needs - Search portal for services/therapists by specialty by state.
• Reduce the Noise: Help Loved Ones with Sensory Overload Enjoy Shopping
• Sesame Street Autism Resources for Parents
• Social Stories - What they are and how to write them.
• Operation Autism for Military Families
• Temple Grandin's Teaching Tips

Illinois State Services & Resources

• Clearbrook - Early Intervention and services for child & adult
• Community Alternatives Unlimited - CAU is the “front door” to service for persons of any age who have a intellectual disability and who reside on the north side of the city of Chicago, Lake County, the North Shore suburbs, and the Northwest suburbs. Registration for Illinois PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) List via CAU.
• Family Resource Center on Disabilities
• Family Support Network of Illinois
• Glenkirk - Glenkirk offers a variety of residential, day and employment programs, as well as respite, medical, behavioral and home-based services.
• Guide to Adult Guardianship in Illinois
• Harrisburg Project Website - Private Educational Facility search portal. Grades K-12 across Illinois and U.S. Includes day and residential programs.
• Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Illinois Department of Human Services
• Illinois State Board of Education
• Social Security Disability

Legal Resources

• Access Living - pursues individual and class action legal work to protect the rights of people with disabilities in the areas of community integration and fair housing, and to ensure that people have the right to live in the communities of their choice.
• Advocates for Special Education
• ARC of Illinois - Advocacy, programming and education for persons with disabilities.
• Illinois Special Ed
• Robert Farley, Disability Rights Attorney
• Wrights Law

Mental Health Resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness

Parent Networking and Training Opportunities

• Family Action Network
• NSSED - North Suburban Special Education District.

Special Needs Estate/Financial Planning

Estate Planning for Parents of Special Needs Kids

Writing a Letter of Intent (or "Quick Guide" for living with your child in case of emergency)

• Illinois ABLE - ABLE Savings Account information portal
• Oak Wealth Advisors
• Law Offices of Donald G. Olsen , Special Needs Attorney
• L. Mark Russell, Special Needs Attorney & Estate Planning
• Peck Ritchey, LLC, Law Firm
• Protected Tomorrows
• Rubin Law, Special Needs Attorney
• Spain, Spain & Varnet, Special Needs Attorney
• Special Needs Alliance - Non-profit resource for finding attorneys to assist with disability and benefit planning.
• Special Needs Answers - Special Needs Answers with local attorneys and financial planner contacts and resources.

Special Education Advocates & Attorneys

• Bridge Educational Advocacy - Pepi Silverman
• Classroom Connections, - School Advocate, Bannockburn
• Law Offices of Charles P. Fox
• The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore
• Hansen & Cleary, LLC
• Matt Cohen & Associates LLC
• Whitted Takiff, LLC

Therapy Dogs

• Canine Companions for Independence

Transition/College Planning

Preparing for the Post-Secondary Transition

• Best Transition - Transition Fair
• Center for Enriched Living - Youth through Adult programming
• Center for Independent Futures
• Consider Options - Transition Fair
• JJ's List - a communications and marketing social enterprise that helps businesses meet the needs of customers or employees with disabilities.
• PACER Parent Center on Transition & Employment
• Post Secondary CHOICES - Transition and Post Secondary Fair
• Illinois DRS STEP (Secondary Transitional Experience Program)
• Think College - database of post secondary schools that offer learning supports
• Total Link 2 Community, Northbrook - provides career and vocational services, skill-based coaching, family coaching & life planning for 18+ year olds.
• JJB Educational Consulting - college placement services for students with learning differences
• The Aspire Group by Imy Wax - help you select the right grade-level boarding or therapeutic schools, wilderness or young adult programs, and colleges.