Easter Seals Chicago New

Therapeutic School for Autism Research!

	Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago's New Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago (ESMC) is building a new $30,000,000 Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research in the Illinois Medical District (IMD) that will help meet the needs created by the explosive growth in autism.  This new facility will greatly enhance and expand Easter Seals’ existing Autism Therapeutic School programs currently located at 1950 West Roosevelt, Chicago and our outstanding Therapeutic Day School in Tinley Park which will continue to serve families in the south suburbs.

The new one-of-a-kind 87,000 square foot Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research will incorporate a therapeutic school, specially-designed research capabilities, ESMC administrative offices as well as independent living facilities in Phase IV of the project.  The new center will allow Easter Seals to expand its landmark autism program and custom design a facility to meet the special needs of students with autism, emotional behavior disorders and severe learning disabilities.  Interior plans and features from special acoustic finishes and lighting fixtures to therapy and gross motor skills rooms will help reduce distractions and promote more effective learning.

This unique facility will be the only one of its kind to combine on a single campus educational, research, training, early intervention, school-to-work transition and independent living capabilities.  Nowhere else in the country will this “continuum” of services for children with autism be so well integrated at a single campus facility.  Phase I of the project is expected to be completed in Fall, 2008.

The importance of this project is evident in that the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago, the Illinois Medical District (IMD) and the University of Illinois communities will all be involved with Easter Seals' project along with private partnerships.  CVS/pharmacy has donated $500,000 to benefit the facility.

• Speaker of the House Michael Madigan has secured a $4 million state grant to initiate construction
• Governor Rod Blagojevich has secured $1 million through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to build the facility
• The City of Chicago through Mayor Richard M. Daley has donated land in the Illinois Medical District valued at $3.5 million
• With the cooperation and support of the IMD Board of Commissioners and Executive Director Samuel Pruett, Easter Seals is building the facility on land located at 1939 West 13^th Street at the corner of Damen Avenue and 13th Street (Illinois Medical District Block 208)

The location of the new school in the Illinois Medical District facilitates a natural synergy with world-class autism researchers.  Working in concert with the researchers from the University of Illinois and others will lead to the development of breakthrough interventions and successful strategies for working with individuals with autism.  Dr. Stephen Porges, Director of the Brain-Body Center, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago and other researchers will be working on the causes of and determining successful interventions for autism.  Researchers will be able to unobtrusively observe students at the school in order to assess problems and create successful interventions and research conducted at the school will be available to other research sites around the entire world via the internet.

Easter Seals is a premiere agency that currently has two Autism Therapeutic Schools in Chicago and Tinley Park which provide educational and therapeutic services to over 150 children with autism.  In September 2007, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago will be opening our Autism Therapeutic School Waukegan and our Autism Therapeutic School in Rockford.

School districts from all around the Chicago area and suburbs contract with Easter Seals to assist them in providing educational programs for children with autism who need an alternative school placement and helps them grow toward independence.  The services and programs provided in the Easter Seals schools include:

• Small Teacher / Student Ratio
• Education
• Speech, Language and Communications Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Applied Behavior Therapy
• Social Work
• Health Related Services
• Transitional Services from School to Work
• Special Olympics
• Sensory Integration

We still need your help to build this world class project!

By joining this cruise, you will not only get a GREAT Cruise Vacation, but also raise monies for the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago's New Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH SM

7 day Western Caribbean cruises from Miami, FL

 

Your first destination on this tropical adventure is Cozumel, Mexico, a paradise of pristine beaches,

coral reefs, and duty-free shops. Or you can choose to visit nearby Mayan ruins. The fun continues in

Grand Cayman where you can enjoy water sports along Seven Mile Beach, and the chance to swim

with gentle stingrays. Among the many exciting things to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is the most

exhilarating of all: climbing up a natural staircase of water, Dunn’s River Falls. On this cruise, you’ll

enjoy one fun adventure after another.

 

EASTER SEALS CRUISE FOR AUTISM RESEARCH SATURDAY, MAY 03, 2008     BALCONY OCEANVIEW INTERIOR   from $799 $649 $549     Cruise rates are capacity controlled in U.S. dollars, per guest and based on double occupancy. Government taxes/fees are included. Air transportation is additional for all guests. Rates are available on select sailings only. Some restrictions (including stateroom category availability) apply. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Ship's Registry: The Bahamas and Panama.