Chicagoland Autism Connection

05/29/2026

🎉Another fun summer outing you don't want to miss!

This one is near and dear to my heart! CAC has been under New Leadership for the past two years and they are kicking off the summer with their annual family reunion picnic!

Many of you still believe I am the Board President but I retired from my post in December 2024. CAC has been under NEW LEADERSHIP for the past two years with some amazing leaders/advocates/parents: the current President, Musheila McCrary, Shela Peace and immediate past present Lashan Rockett Williams Shea Rockett Williams!
Please reach out to them for any questions about the picnic.

Hope to see you there!🎊
Registration: CAC's Annual Family Reunion Picnic
312-498-3576

Date: Jun 14 • 10:00

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cacs-annual-family-reunion-picnic-tickets-1990360861917?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=043253cab78de4c932ae2fd1305e95a873312624b6f709502fa51761e84196628a0d71c9aa4c3f57a60230ae727808af2c479e028a7979020a330804c6d81a4de69fe56f5663361be6fe63da@

10/21/2025

💙💙💙 Families we are back to offer you the support you need. Please join us for our virtual parent support meeting. Where we will discuss the following topics : How to deal with parent burnout and You have the diagnosis what's now what's next.

Topic: Chicagoland Autism Connection Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 25, 2025 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97537767102?pwd=xM0VCGZ0Jl3mlbNudLjEKxVmM02Ikk.1

Meeting ID: 975 3776 7102
Passcode: 766198

09/09/2025

Chicagoland Autism Connection EVENT CANCELLATION NOTICE ❌
We regret to inform you that CAC's picnic has been CANCELLED.

If you purchased tickets:
✅ Full refunds will be issued automatically
✅ Contact Sheila at [email protected]

We share your disappointment and will announce future events.

Thank you for your understanding.
Chicagoland Autism Connection

08/29/2025

Happening Tomorrow! Don't Miss It!

The Catch 22 Resource Fair is fast approaching- Saturday, August 30th.
Register for this free event today!!

⭐️There will be a PUNS POP-UP at the Catch 22 Resource fair by Community Service Options, Inc. - bring the required paperwork (see registration link for details) and CSO will start the intake process on the spot!

🎉Don't miss the 1st TRANSITION ONLY resource fair in the Chicago proper area to support families ages 14 and up!

If your loved one is age 14 and up, you should be here.

⭐️Click on the registration link below to join us: https://bit.ly/3SgilcS

🎁FREE raffle gifts to selected attendees.

🎊The leading agencies & community resource & business vendors from the city, state, & Chicago suburbs will be there to provide resources and items for adults with intellectual, developmental, & mental health disabilities.

⭐️The registration link is as follows: https://bit.ly/3SgilcS

Please Share!

08/25/2025

🎉Sooooo excited to announce that SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT registration is NOW OPEN!

⭐️Don't miss it! Join Us in Bloomington or virtually!

⭐️Highlights: One of few conferences that amplify the voice of those living with disabilities! Its a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new people!

📷Debut: GBoothPhotos will be there to capture the memories!

See the message from The Arc of Illinois below;

📣𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱!
Join self-advocates, families, and supporters from across Illinois for an empowering event where 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀. ✨

🗓️ 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭–𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
📍 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 in Normal, IL — or join 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 on Zoom
🎉 Theme: “20 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘜𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘶𝘵”
🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄: https://bit.ly/454nyvk
🌐 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼: (agenda, FAQs, accommodations): https://www.speakupspeakoutsummit.org/

$50 registration fee required for all attendees
💡 Financial assistance is available!
Let’s come together to learn, grow, and speak up for the future we want to build. 💪💙
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽? 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻.

08/25/2025

07/21/2025

⭐️Only serious applicants should apply! We are still looking for applicants to apply for this paid research study. Several families have been accepted but we need you to help spread the word. ⭐️Please share.

Click here to apply: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56CpmgJSIlzxKdw

🎉Do you have a child at risk or with an Autism diagnosis ages 2 to 8?

Join the Pilot Parents Taking Action Research Study (PTA). See more information from my friends and researchers at UIC. This is paid study.

⭐️Do you know anyone that would be interested in the following study?

⭐️We are recruiting Latinx, Chinese, and Black families of children with or at risk of autism for an online curriculum called “eHealth Parents Taking Action”. This curriculum has been proven to be effective among Latino families of children with autism in improving both family and child outcomes. We have culturally adapted it for Chinese and Black families. You are eligible if:
• Identify yourselves as Black/African American; you have Spanish or Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin dialects) as your primary language if from the Latinx and Chinese community.

• You have a young child at risk or with a diagnosis of autism ( you can be a parent or the primary family caregiver taking care of the child
• Your child is between 2-8 years old
• You reside in Illinois

⭐️Please see the flyer for details about the research study.
Please also feel free to share the flyers with people you know who may be eligible for our study.

If interested, please fill out this interest indication form so we can reach out to you to screen for eligibility: https://uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56CpmgJSIlzxKdw

[Note: English groups for Black African American families will start soon, Chinese and Spanish groups will start data collection in the summer, but won't start till Fall]

07/18/2025

🎡Happening tomorrow, Saturday, July 18th!

🎪The 21st Annual Festival of the Lakes is excited to continue to host events for everyone!

🎢Person’s with Disabilities Day, will be held on Saturday, July 19th from 10:00 am to Noon on the festival grounds near the carnival at Wolf Lake Memorial Park.

⭐️Those with disabilities can enjoy free rides from Modern Midways and lunch will be provided.

⭐️There will be no charge to park if you arrive before noon.

⭐️This event is free and offers goody bags to everyone in attendance, while supplies last. Wolf Lake Memorial Park is located at 2324 Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Indiana.