Resource and Links for Families

Specific Diagnoses / Medical Resources

Autism / ASD / PDD

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.

Rush University Medical Center — The Autism Resource Center

The Autism Resource Center at Rush University Medical Center provides referrals for families who have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are many areas that can be impacted by Autism, including language, social skills and behavior. Our mission at the Autism Resource Center ("ARC") is to link children and families with appropriate services in order to improve the development of children with Autism and related disorders. The ARC team has developed an on-line resource guide to help families find referrals, from evaluations to summer programs to therapeutic day schools. To find an appropriate referral, please visit us at www.rush.edu/autism.

The Autism Program Service Center at Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago

Autism Society of Illinois

Chicagoland Autism Connection

Chicago Autism Resources

The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP)

The Northwest Suburban Autism and Special Needs Parent Support and Information Email Group

Have Dreams

Have Dreams aspires to help children with autism improve their abilities to learn, function independently and socialize so that they may realize their full potential and develop into contributing members of their communities.

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ADD / ADHD

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

CHADD is a national non-profit organization providing education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD and was founded by parents of children with AD/HD looking for information and support. Over the past twenty years, CHADD has developed a rich network of information and resources to help parents.

The National Resource Center on AD/HD

This is the nation's clearinghouse for science-based information about all aspects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the NRC provides information on this disorder which affects how millions of children and adults function on a daily basis. The NRC was created to meet the information needs of professionals and the general public.

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Hearing / Vision Impaired

Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Illinois Advocates for the Deaf/Blind

Illinois Families for Hands and Voices

Illinois Families for Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families that have children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing without a bias toward communication modes or methodologies. We want to provide Illinois families with the necessary resources, networking, and information in order to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. Our statewide activities, advocacy efforts, and parent/professional collaboration are all focused on enabling our deaf and hard-of-hearing children to reach their fullest potential!

National Family Association for the Deaf/Blind

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Down Syndrome

National Association for Down Syndrome

NADS is the oldest organization in the country serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It was founded in Chicago in 1961 by parents who chose to go against medical advice and raised their children with Down syndrome at home. Our mission is to ensure that all persons with Down syndrome have the opportunity to achieve their potential in all aspects of community life. We offer information, support, and advocacy.

Downs syndrome Developmental Council - Lake County

Family Ideas Network for Down Syndrome - Crystal Lake

Gigi's Playhouse

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Behavioral / Mental Healthcare

Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital

DBSA - Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
(AMI) - Greater Chicago

OCD Chicago

Pillars

Thresholds Program for Family and Youth

Thrive Counseling Center -Oak Park

Child & Family Development Center

The Child & Family Development Center (CFDC) is an interdisciplinary public service and research Center located on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. This website is a resource for professionals, caregivers, and family members who want to learn more about early education, care, and development. CFDC is home to programs and professionals who work with and on behalf of young children with and without disabilities and their families.

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Other diagnoses, syndromes, or disorders

Information About Specific Disabilities

This directory will help you locate more information on a specific disability.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)

UCP is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago

American Association for Klinefelter Syndrome Information and Support

The United Brachial Plexus Network

UBPN is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization devoted to providing information, support and leadership for families and those concerned with brachial plexus injuries worldwide. Available resources include: Our extensive website; Online registry, various outreach and awareness programs, and Outreach, our in-depth publication. Beginning in 2000, UBPN will also produce an annual comprehensive Resource Directory.

Spina Bifida Association of Illinois

The National Organization for Rare Disorders

NORD is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them, and is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

Tourette Syndrome Association of Illinois

American Brain Tumor Association

Brain Injury Association of Illinois

Shriner's Hospital

Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois

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Other medical resources

Medlineplus

MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. Preformulated MEDLINE searches are included in MedlinePlus and give easy access to medical journal articles. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.

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