Have Dreams
Have Dreams is an autism service provider, supporting children, teens, and adults on the spectrum. Clinical services are offered via telehealth and in-person at our Evanston and Park Ridge, IL locations.
Hosted by Have Dreams
Counselor
Verified Verified
Group meets in Evanston, IL 60202
Have Dreams is an autism service provider, supporting children, teens, and adults on the spectrum. Clinical services are offered via telehealth and in-person at our Evanston and Park Ridge, IL locations.
More Groups Nearby
Have Dreams
Have Dreams is an autism service provider, supporting children, teens, and adults on the spectrum. Clinical services are offered via telehealth and in-person at our Evanston and Park Ridge, IL locations.
Hosted by Have Dreams
Counselor
Verified Verified
Group meets in Evanston, IL 60202
Have Dreams is an autism service provider, supporting children, teens, and adults on the spectrum. Clinical services are offered via telehealth and in-person at our Evanston and Park Ridge, IL locations.
Social Legends: Preteen Social/Emotional Group
Introducing "Social Legends," an exciting therapy group specifically developed for preteens, where the enchanting world of Dungeons and Dragons and Critical Core merges with the transformative power of therapy. In this engaging and supporting environment, kids in 6th-8th grade embark ...
Hosted by Adam Mills
Pre-Licensed Professional, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60657
Introducing "Social Legends," an exciting therapy group specifically developed for preteens, where the enchanting world of Dungeons and Dragons and Critical Core merges with the transformative power of therapy. In this engaging and supporting environment, kids in 6th-8th grade embark ...
SociAbility Chicago
At SociAbility, our mission is to help children, young adults, and adults gain necessary life-long social skills to succeed in school, adulthood and beyond.
Hosted by Genevieve Thornton
Psychologist, PSY D
Verified Verified
Group meets in Northbrook, IL 60062
At SociAbility, our mission is to help children, young adults, and adults gain necessary life-long social skills to succeed in school, adulthood and beyond.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Parenting Group
This group provides basic education on topics of concern and helps parents design specific strategies to address the individualized concerns that group members bring to each session. You will walk away with an increased awareness and understanding of neurodiversity and ...
Hosted by Brandon Tessers
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Northbrook, IL 60062
This group provides basic education on topics of concern and helps parents design specific strategies to address the individualized concerns that group members bring to each session. You will walk away with an increased awareness and understanding of neurodiversity and ...
Navigating the School System
Led by Ami Goetz, Licensed Professional Educator (PEL) -- Ami will be leading a class for families navigating the complexities of special education. Ami holds a Professional Educators License (PEL) and has experience working in the public education system that ...
Hosted by Ami Goetz
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSW, CTP, PEL
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60657
Led by Ami Goetz, Licensed Professional Educator (PEL) -- Ami will be leading a class for families navigating the complexities of special education. Ami holds a Professional Educators License (PEL) and has experience working in the public education system that ...
Guiding Behavior Counseling
Our group is ideal for adults experiencing emotional unsteadiness, distressing thoughts, low self-esteem/worth, and challenging behaviors. We have expertise in areas such as ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, relationship and communication concerns, and difficulty adjusting to transitions. We provides ...
Hosted by Ginny Nikiforos LCSW, ADHD Certified Provider
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ADHD-CC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60618
Our group is ideal for adults experiencing emotional unsteadiness, distressing thoughts, low self-esteem/worth, and challenging behaviors. We have expertise in areas such as ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, relationship and communication concerns, and difficulty adjusting to transitions. We provides ...
Autistic Adults Support Group
ABOUT THE THERAPIST Nahime Aguirre, MA, LSW will be hosting a virtual social support group for autistic adults throughout Illinois. After her own diagnosis as an autistic adult, Nahime has learned and applied research-based mental health supports for other autistic ...
Hosted by Astute Counseling & Wellness Services
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA(T), LCSW, CCATP, CCTP, CGCS
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60657
ABOUT THE THERAPIST Nahime Aguirre, MA, LSW will be hosting a virtual social support group for autistic adults throughout Illinois. After her own diagnosis as an autistic adult, Nahime has learned and applied research-based mental health supports for other autistic ...
Guiding Behavior Coaching
Guiding Behavior Coaching provides professional ADHD coaching anywhere within the US! Guiding Behavior Coaching has experience supporting the unique executive functioning challenges and strengths for those diagnosed with ADHD and/or high functioning Autism. Our style is supportive, direct, and very ...
Hosted by Ginny Nikiforos LCSW, ADHD Certified Provider
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ADHD-CC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60618
Guiding Behavior Coaching provides professional ADHD coaching anywhere within the US! Guiding Behavior Coaching has experience supporting the unique executive functioning challenges and strengths for those diagnosed with ADHD and/or high functioning Autism. Our style is supportive, direct, and very ...
Neurodivergent Support and Process Group
This is a space for adults with ASD and/or ADHD (self diagnosed or otherwise) can come together and connect over the joys and struggles of being a neurodivergent adult in a world not built for us.
Hosted by Melissa Mooney
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60660
This is a space for adults with ASD and/or ADHD (self diagnosed or otherwise) can come together and connect over the joys and struggles of being a neurodivergent adult in a world not built for us.
Middle School Students Social Skills Group
This is a 6 week friendship group focused on improving social skills for kids on the Autism spectrum, run by Michelle Kator, LCSW. The group is designed to provide social opportunities for group members while giving them a chance to ...
Hosted by Alan R Graham
Psychologist, PhD, PCC, MCAC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Park Ridge, IL 60068
This is a 6 week friendship group focused on improving social skills for kids on the Autism spectrum, run by Michelle Kator, LCSW. The group is designed to provide social opportunities for group members while giving them a chance to ...
Support group for neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ teens
We are currently looking to start a group for LGBTQIA+ teens that are neurodiverse. Preferred ages for the group are 16-19. The group will be neurodiversity-affirmativ e, and focus on providing social connections and support. Please reach out with questions ...
Hosted by Jennifer Palmer
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60646
We are currently looking to start a group for LGBTQIA+ teens that are neurodiverse. Preferred ages for the group are 16-19. The group will be neurodiversity-affirmativ e, and focus on providing social connections and support. Please reach out with questions ...
Neurodivergent young adults
We have recently started a small group for neurodivergent young adults. Preferred ages for the group are 18-23. The group is neurodiversity-affirmativ e, and focuses on providing social connections and support. The group has rolling admission, and we are accepting ...
Hosted by Jennifer Palmer
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chicago, IL 60646
We have recently started a small group for neurodivergent young adults. Preferred ages for the group are 18-23. The group is neurodiversity-affirmativ e, and focuses on providing social connections and support. The group has rolling admission, and we are accepting ...
See more therapy options for Evanston
Autism Support Groups
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.