Chicago West Parent University is gearing up for its 8th event, December 21st, 11-3:30 p.m., 3415 W. Arthington Street, Chicago, IL, 60624

Participate in SEVEN dynamic workshops, including:

✨ Supporting Your Child with Special Needs
✨ Restorative Justice
✨ Music Therapy
✨ Art Therapy
✨ Financial Investments
✨ New Year, New Dedications
✨ Kickboxing Cardio

Parent University also offers raffles and a toy giveaway to spread the holiday cheer! And yes, the one and only Santa Claus will be there, ready to take photos and bring joy to the kids!

This entire event is completely FREE, including childcare. Interested? Register through the link below. Questions? Please contact brittany.nowell@actforchildren.org

Parent University Registration

Children Through Age 6 With Hearing Loss

Planning ahead:

Parents and caregivers of children with hearing loss through age six are invited to "The Institute for Parents of Preschool Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing". This five day event will be held on the Illinois School for the Deaf campus in Jacksonville, Illinois. The Institute brings together families from all over the state.  Families will spend time with the best staff in the field of atypical hearing and deafness. Parents and caregivers will gain knowledge about choices along the path of raising a child with a hearing loss. Topics will include: Child Development, Language Development, Types of Hearing Loss, Parent Rights, Communication Options, School Programming, Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants, Deaf Culture. 

Institute is a time of learning and getting to know others who are going through some of the same things. During the Institute, children attend classrooms overseen by experienced teachers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They receive audiology, psychology, speech/language and educational testing. These services are all free of charge. 

Call now to join June 10-14, 2025! For more information about the Institute and to enroll, contact UIC-DSCC: 1-800-322-3722 or email: dsccinstitute@uic.edu. If your child is enrolled with UIC-DSCC, please contact your Care Coordinator. Expenses can be waived for eligible families. A stipend may also be provided. 

Behavioral Supports - Helping

Tuesday's Child, has been offering support for families since 1980. Their work centers on helping parents and caregivers enhance positive behaviors. They are currently hosting groups for those caring for a child 18 months-6 years. These positive parenting workshops are available in both English and Spanish. To learn more about their upcoming sessions, please click here.

So helpful when living with and loving a toddler!

Thinking Through Therapy Supports Outside of Early Intervention

 Autism Workshop: Covering the Costs of Therapy & Supports

Mastering Independent Toileting - Forest Park Public Library (virtual attendance an option!)

 

Potty Training | Collaboration for Early Childhood - Click on the link to register (both in person and virtual options)

Planning for Success Trick or Treating

RCADD has created a social story for our youngest trick-or-treaters. Talk through the steps with your child before setting out on Thursday. Looks like the Chicago-area can expect nice weather! 

Trick or Treating Social Story 

Stress and Modern-Day Parenting

Feeling stressed in your parenting journey? It's understandable. The New York Times reports on the Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy's advisory calling attention to the stress facing parents and caregivers. Take a deep breath, know that you are not alone. Short podcast episode can be found below. 

The Parents Aren't All Right 

A Free Guide to Toileting (for parents of children with an ASD diagnosis)

Rise Up 4 Autism is hosting free, virtual lectures for parents on September 30th from 7-8 pm. Interested? Please use the link below to register. 

A Rapid Method of Toilet Training

PBS and Daniel Tiger: Getting Ready for Preschool

Preparing Your Child for Preschool - Click to find ways to help a young child get ready for preschool.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - Grownups Come Back Song (Babysitter) Video | PBS KIDS

Caregiver Support: Challenging Behaviors and Anxiety

Does your child see a physician through Rush University Medical Center? If so, two programs are being offered to support parents and caregivers navigate challenging behaviors and childhood anxiety. Groups are offered virtually. Click on the links below to learn more. Private and public insurance (Medicaid) are accepted.

Building Early Connections - For parents and caregivers of children 0-8 years of age. Learn to manage challenging behaviors and support social emotional health.

Cool Little Kids - Program for caregivers of 3-6 year old's trying to support their child with excessive shyness or anxiety. The aim is to learn skills to build bravery.

Free Virtual Toileting Work Shop

Click on the link below for tickets: 

A Rapid Method of Toilet Training Children with Autism | Humanitix

Early Education Opportunities in Chicago

Chicago Early Learning 

Chicago Early Learning offers plenty of great programs to support families and make early education available for every child. We have programs for expecting mothers, home visiting programs for children under age 3, and Community-Based Programs that include Head Start and Early Head Start and offer free health services. Our services go beyond the classroom to ensure all children get a high-quality education.   Don’t forget that school starts in August! Explore your options and apply now to secure your child’s seat in a high-quality early learning program near you.

Chance of $500 Grant for Children that are IEP/504 Plan Eligible

The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., dedicated to aiding families of students with disabilities affected by COVID-19. It operates as a lottery-style grant drawing, offering a one-time cash grant of $500 to eligible K-12 students with disabilities. Up to 8,000 applicants will be selected through the lottery to receive the grant. Submitting an eligible application does not guarantee you will receive the funds. Please note the lottery closes 10/30/2024.

More information and link to apply here:

 Home Page MOPD - Cash Assistance (adamopd.com)

CFG Spotlight Series: Phalycia Barrios, Parenting a Child Who Struggled to Eat

Parenting a child that struggles to eat can certainly be difficult. Join the Chicago Feeding Group and hear from a parent that has faced the ups and downs of mealtime challenges. This event is free for caregivers, June 12th 6:30-8 p.m.  Interested in registering? Please click on the link below. Unable to make the live event? Be certain to check out their pre-recorded discussions around topics such as anxious eaters, bottle refusal and age appropriate meal-time expectations. 

Chicago Feeding Group

Chicago Autism Network

Caregivers, are you interested in learning more about neuro-affirming care, healthy boundaries and toileting? These are just a few of the upcoming topics being covered in free, virtual lectures geared for parents through Chicago Autism Network. Can't make the live sessions? They also offer a recorded archive of trainings on navigating a new diagnosis, insurance and covering therapy costs, behavior management and educational supports.

Chicago Autism Network Virtual Workshops 

Neighborhood Parents Network 2024 Summer Camp Guide is Out!

2024 Summer Camp Guide 

Time to get out the sunscreen! If you need some ideas on how to break up the lazy days of summer, this helpful guide allows you to narrow down options by age, price, location and dates. There is also a way to search for camps that would provide additional supports for your child (under camp specialty). 

The Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays has shared activities to consider this Spring/Summer. Please click on the link below for a listing of summer camps, workshops for parents and caregivers as well other great resources. 

Newsletter 

They also have a fantastic library of short videos in both English and Spanish for caregivers interested in learning more about an autism diagnosis and how to support their child.

Informational videos

 

Join Blue Bird Day for a virtual Beyond the Nest educational and caregiver workshop to Learn More About Epilepsy on Thursday, April 18th at 6:00pm. Ayesha Akhtar, VP of Health Equity, Education & Advocacy for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, will cover basic seizure recognition, discuss seizure action plans, and explain free resources offered by Epilepsy Foundation Chicago. RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/x9KNgNhr5z

Chicago Autism and Developmental Differences Expo - THIS WEEKEND!

Chicago Autism Network Expo 

Small Moments = Great Impact

 

What Is Happening During Play?

Adults may consider play as a break or a putting-off of learning or serious work. But as famous child psychologist Jean Piaget said, "Play is the work of children." Or in the words of Fred Rogers, "Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning." In Early Intervention we whole-heartedly support play as it benefits all areas of development. Check out the link below to learn more about how play develops critical life-long skills. 

Benefits of Play

Has it been a while since you've turned a cardboard box into a racecar or had conversations with your stuffed animals? If you could use a brush up on your play skills, fear not! The suggestions below will help you channel your earlier, more playful self as well as connect with your little one. 

How To Play

Northwestern's Reduce the Wait

Reduce the Wait RTW Caregiver Information (Spanish) from Kindea Labs on Vimeo.

Do you think your child may be exhibiting signs of autism? Northwestern's Reduce the Wait Program is offering evaluations so that parents can get quickly get answers and access the supports needed. To learn more simply click here:  Reduce the Wait

Same Food and Autistic Wellness

Do you have a child that gravitates towards the same favorite food each day? So often as caregivers we look at this sameness with concern. Chicago Feeding Group is hosting a discussion around eating and Autism. Speaker, Laura Hellfield, offers a perspective as a neurodivergent health care professional that specializes in eating, sleeping and self care. She is also passionate about supporting Autistic mental health by building community spaces, both in-person and online. Parents and caregivers have an opportunity to attend this free lecture on Wednesday, February 21st from 1-3 pm. To learn more and register, please access the link here, Same Food & Autistic Wellness 

The Importance of Everyday Moments

 As parents of young children, you may be crunched as you juggle daily responsibilities. Perhaps you feel like you don't have enough time to properly enjoy or bond with your child. Zero to Three offers free, downloadable booklets with highlights of developmental milestones and ways we can make the most of every day activities and routines. There is so much that can happen during these small moments like bath time, feeding and grocery shopping.
YOU are what make these interactions meaningful. Click on the link below to learn more.

Magic of Everyday Moments