This page gathers autism and disability resources for families in Lake County, Illinois. You'll find 16 local resources listed here, alongside Illinois statewide programs and nationwide services, all verified and in one place. For children under three, Illinois's starting point is Illinois's early intervention program; for school-age children, special education and IEPs run through your local school district. Confirm details directly with each provider.
Diagnosis & Early Intervention
Getting an evaluation and accessing early services.
Free CDC milestone checklists and a Milestone Tracker app help you follow your child's development from 2 months to 5 years, so you know what to watch for and when to act. A gentle first step when you're unsure whether to seek an evaluation.
This developmental pediatrics program in Chicago offers autism diagnosis and developmental evaluations for children from birth to age 18, plus speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies. It's a full team ready to assess your child and guide you forward.
Illinois' free statewide program evaluates babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 for developmental delays and, if your child qualifies, sets up therapies and support at no cost through a family service plan. One call connects you to your local Child and Family Connections office.
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offers comprehensive autism diagnostic evaluations and treatment for children, teens, and adults. It's a trusted hospital-based option when you need a thorough assessment and a plan for next steps.
Comer Children's Hospital provides autism diagnosis for infants and toddlers under age 3 as well as ongoing care for older children, using gold-standard tools like the ADOS. A caring team helps you understand your child and plan therapies.
Part of the University of Illinois, this state-partnered division helps families across Illinois navigate Early Intervention and connect children with special healthcare needs to evaluations and services. Their helpline can point you to the right local office.
Based in Libertyville, PACT was the first hospital-based program of its kind in Lake County, supporting children and teens with developmental delays, speech-language concerns, and sensory needs. Their team offers evaluations and therapy close to home.
This is Lake County's official front door to Illinois Early Intervention for children under age 3 who may have a developmental delay. Their developmental evaluations and assessments are free, and they help connect eligible families to therapies and support.
School & IEP Rights
IEPs, 504 plans, special education, and school advocacy.
Every state has a federally funded Parent Training & Information Center offering free help with IEPs, special-education rights, and early intervention. This hub's directory locates the center that serves your state.
A national nonprofit protecting the rights of students with disabilities. Use their member directory to find a special-education attorney or trained advocate near you when you need help with an IEP or a dispute with a school.
Every state has a federally mandated Protection & Advocacy agency that offers free legal help when a school isn't following your child's IEP or evaluating them as required. This directory connects you to the office serving your area.
Equip for Equality is Illinois's federally mandated disability rights legal organization, and their free Special Education Rights Parent Helpline lets you talk through IEP, 504, discipline, and evaluation concerns. They can also provide limited legal help at IEP meetings, mediations, and hearings.
Family Matters is Illinois's only federally funded Parent Training and Information Center, and as of October 2025 it serves families across the entire state. Their team offers free one-on-one coaching, IEP guidance, and workshops to help you understand your child's special education rights.
The state education agency's special education portal hosts A Parent's Guide to your child's educational rights and responsibilities, plus tools for IEPs, evaluations, and resolving disagreements with a school. It's the official Illinois source for how special education is supposed to work.
Equip for Equality is Illinois' governor-appointed disability rights protection and advocacy agency, serving families statewide including Lake County. Their Special Education Helpline offers free guidance, and in some cases legal representation, for IEP meetings, evaluations, discipline, and dispute resolution.
Therapy & Treatment
ABA, speech, OT, and finding the right providers.
You matter too. Psychology Today's therapist finder filters for 'caregiver stress' and 'autism family,' and Open Path Collective offers reduced-cost therapy sessions nationwide. You cannot support your child well without also supporting yourself.
The largest statewide autism network in the country, TAP connects families to screening, diagnostic evaluations, therapy (ABA, speech, OT/PT), and support groups through more than 20 centers across Illinois. A great first call when you're not sure where to start.
A university clinic at the University of Illinois Chicago providing autism diagnosis, psychological and speech-language evaluations, counseling, and behavior services for individuals ages 3 and up. Care is offered in English and Spanish by a bilingual, multidisciplinary team.
A University of Illinois Chicago program offering free care coordination for families of children with special healthcare needs in every Illinois county. Care coordinators help you find specialists, therapy, and services and navigate the paperwork that comes with them.
This is Lake County's official entry point into Illinois Early Intervention for children under 3 with a suspected delay. Their team helps arrange free or low-cost evaluations and therapies like speech, developmental, occupational, and physical therapy, and connects you to local providers.
A long-established multidisciplinary pediatric clinic with Lake County locations in Vernon Hills and Lake Bluff serving families in Libertyville, Gurnee, and nearby towns. They offer autism testing plus ABA, speech and feeding, occupational, physical, and mental health therapy all under one roof.
Run by Rush University Medical Center, this searchable directory helps families across the Chicago area, including Lake County, find autism therapy and treatment providers along with typical wait-time information. It is a trustworthy place to start when you are looking for ABA, speech, OT, or a diagnostic clinic near you.
Financial Assistance & Benefits
Medicaid waivers, SSI, ABLE accounts, and legal aid.
ABLE accounts let people with disabilities (onset before age 26) save money tax-free without losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility. This center compares every state's ABLE program so you can pick the best one for your family.
Equip for Equality is Illinois' federally designated disability rights protection and advocacy agency, offering free legal advice, self-advocacy help, and representation. Reach out if your child faces discrimination or you need help enforcing their rights.
Run by the Illinois State Treasurer, IL ABLE lets your family save and invest for disability-related expenses without risking SSI or Medicaid eligibility. Earnings and withdrawals for qualified costs like housing, therapy, and daily living are tax-free.
Illinois' Medicaid agency offers this waiver to help families cover things like assistive technology, home and vehicle modifications, and behavior treatment so your child can stay at home. It serves kids and young adults ages 3-21 with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
An IL ABLE account lets people with disabilities and their families save and invest for disability-related expenses without losing SSI, Medicaid, or other means-tested benefits. Earnings and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
Illinois HFS runs Medicaid, All Kids, and FamilyCare, covering doctor visits, therapies, prescriptions, medical equipment, and long-term supports for children and adults who qualify. You can apply online at ABE.illinois.gov or by phone.
This Lake County office provides free civil legal help to lower-income families, including public benefits appeals, guardianship, special education, and other disability-related legal matters. Walk-in help is also offered at the Job Center of Lake County in Waukegan.
Support Groups & Community
Find your people, in person and online.
The nation's oldest grassroots autism organization. Their National Helpline connects families to information and referrals, and their affiliate finder points you to a local chapter in your area for in-person support and events.
The largest national community-based organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters offer advocacy, family support, and lifelong services. Use the chapter finder to locate the office nearest you.
Dial 2-1-1 (or visit 211.org) to reach a free, confidential referral line for local health and human services in almost every US community, including disability services, respite, food, housing, and financial assistance.
A grassroots nonprofit serving families in Southern Illinois with support groups, education, advocacy, and recreation opportunities for children and adults with autism. Reach out to find local meetups and family programs near you.
A Chicago-area nonprofit that hosts monthly parent support meetings, a social and recreational club, and seasonal family events for children and adults with autism. It is a welcoming place to meet other families who understand.
A statewide nonprofit that helps Illinois family caregivers find a break, with respite referrals, training, and an emergency respite fund that offers stipends up to $500 for planned or unexpected situations. Call their toll-free line to talk through your options.
A Lake County nonprofit started by parents, offering casual family support groups that meet twice a month, plus picnics, holiday parties, and community events where families connect. They hold both daytime and evening meetings so you can come as your schedule allows.
A long-established nonprofit serving families in Lake County and northern Cook County with respite care that gives caregivers short-term relief, plus day programs, clinical support, and behavioral health services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A cooperative that runs year-round recreation for children, teens, and adults with disabilities across central Lake County communities like Mundelein, Vernon Hills, and Libertyville. Programs range from camps and sports to leisure classes and sensory room time.
An intergovernmental cooperative offering therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities ages six and up in the Waukegan and Zion areas. Activities include social outings, aquatics, fitness, summer camps, and Special Olympics sports teams.
Adult Transition & Long-Term Planning
Aging out of school, adult services, and long-term planning.
A neurodivergent employment agency offering job support nationwide over Zoom: resume building, mock interviews, and career guidance, plus direct outreach to employers to help secure placements. Supports neurodivergent individuals roughly ages 16 to 50, and has been in business over 15 years.
A state agency that safeguards the rights of adults with disabilities, home to the Office of State Guardian, the nation's largest public guardianship program. They can guide your family through guardianship questions and connect you to legal help.
A free statewide program that helps families understand the sometimes confusing world of transition, adult services, waivers, and PUNS, with real people to talk through your next step. A trusted first call when your child is aging out of school services.
An Illinois nonprofit that has helped families set up and manage special needs (pooled) trusts for over 30 years, so savings won't jeopardize a loved one's benefits. They draft trust agreements and administer accounts that meet Social Security and Medicaid rules.
The Independent Service Coordination agency serving Lake County, and the place to call to get on the PUNS list and connect to Medicaid waiver and adult services. Their coordinators walk families through eligibility, planning, and finding the right long-term supports.
A local Lake County nonprofit offering youth transition and adult employment-readiness programs that build job, independent-living, and self-advocacy skills. Warm, hands-on support for young adults stepping into life after high school.
A state agency that helps families understand guardianship options for a disabled adult and serves as guardian when no one else can, always encouraging the least restrictive alternative first. A good, unbiased starting point before you make guardianship or decision-making choices.
A note on these listings. This directory is informational and not an
endorsement. Programs, phone numbers, and eligibility change, so always confirm details
directly with the provider before relying on them. Nothing here is medical or legal advice.
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