| Illinois Center for Autism A special place...for special people. |
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The Illinois Center for Autism was established in the fall of 1977 to provide a Children’s Special Day
School Program. At that time, it was serving eight children with autism. In January 1978, the Illinois
Center for Autism was incorporated as a 501c (3) not-for-profit corporation. The ICA’s mission was to
prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of children with autism. ICA received accreditation in 1992
from the North Central Association (NCA). To this day, ICA has maintained this accreditation.
In 1980, the Illinois Center for Autism received funding to initiate a Client and Family Support Program.
This program provides home-based service for the families of persons with autism. In 1999, the Illinois
Center for Autism’s Client and Family Support Program served over one hundred families.
From its inception, the agency was short on space for providing services. The first wing of the
permanent building was completed in 1985. Shortly thereafter, ICA had outgrown the first wing and
additional space was rented. The second wing was added in 1988 to address the expansion of ICA’s
program.
In 1987, ICA received the funding necessary to begin programming for adult clients who had no day-
training service available to them. In 1989, ICA received funding for additional adult clients through the
Community Integrated Living process of the Department of Mental Health and Developmental
Disabilities.
In 1989, with the support of the Department of Rehabilitation and the St. Clair County 708 Mental Health
Board, ICA succeeded in developing a transitional services program for clients, ages fourteen and
older. Designed to teach functional communication and social skills as well as employment related
skills. When possible, clients work off site in the community. In accordance with the Department of
Labor standards, individuals are paid for their work efforts.
In 1992, ICA opened a gourmet Italian take-out eatery called “Pasta Fare”. This establishment provides
an ideal site for food service training. Clients assist in all aspects of the business, learning to apply their
functional academic, social and communications skills in a work setting. All clients at Pasta Fare are
employees of the Illinois Center for Autism. Clients are transitioned into the community for further
competitive employment opportunities.
In 1993, Pasta Fare received the Illinois Governor’s Home Town Award, first place economic
development in the community. Pasta Fare and Client and Family Support Programs received
accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
In 1993, ICA received a “Community Services Award” from the AFL-CIO for providing employment
opportunities for the disabled.
In 1995, ICA entered into its first partnership with a public school. ICA is now operating seven
classrooms in satellite programs in public schools located in Granite City, Grafton, Bethalto and
Caseyville.
In 1997, in celebration of twenty years of dedication, research and progress, ICA hosted an
International Symposium on Autism. For the first time, seventeen world renowned leaders in the field of
autism presented at the same conference.
In 1998, the School Improvement Committee recommended that ICA take a whole new approach to
serving students with autism. Students are now changing classes through out the day. The students
have adjusted well to this change with significant improvement reflected in their behavior data.
In 2003, Pasta Fare was expanded to a fine dining establishment as well as an Italian take-out eatery.
In addition, Petals Remembered was opened to the public. This new venture was specifically designed
to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with autism. Petals
Remembered specializes in preserving flowers into a decorative floral arrangements.
Not only has ICA been able to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of hundreds of people with
autism, it has also helped them to become productive members of society. The future holds great
promise for ICA and the people it serves.
Rev. 2006
School Program. At that time, it was serving eight children with autism. In January 1978, the Illinois
Center for Autism was incorporated as a 501c (3) not-for-profit corporation. The ICA’s mission was to
prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of children with autism. ICA received accreditation in 1992
from the North Central Association (NCA). To this day, ICA has maintained this accreditation.
In 1980, the Illinois Center for Autism received funding to initiate a Client and Family Support Program.
This program provides home-based service for the families of persons with autism. In 1999, the Illinois
Center for Autism’s Client and Family Support Program served over one hundred families.
From its inception, the agency was short on space for providing services. The first wing of the
permanent building was completed in 1985. Shortly thereafter, ICA had outgrown the first wing and
additional space was rented. The second wing was added in 1988 to address the expansion of ICA’s
program.
In 1987, ICA received the funding necessary to begin programming for adult clients who had no day-
training service available to them. In 1989, ICA received funding for additional adult clients through the
Community Integrated Living process of the Department of Mental Health and Developmental
Disabilities.
In 1989, with the support of the Department of Rehabilitation and the St. Clair County 708 Mental Health
Board, ICA succeeded in developing a transitional services program for clients, ages fourteen and
older. Designed to teach functional communication and social skills as well as employment related
skills. When possible, clients work off site in the community. In accordance with the Department of
Labor standards, individuals are paid for their work efforts.
In 1992, ICA opened a gourmet Italian take-out eatery called “Pasta Fare”. This establishment provides
an ideal site for food service training. Clients assist in all aspects of the business, learning to apply their
functional academic, social and communications skills in a work setting. All clients at Pasta Fare are
employees of the Illinois Center for Autism. Clients are transitioned into the community for further
competitive employment opportunities.
In 1993, Pasta Fare received the Illinois Governor’s Home Town Award, first place economic
development in the community. Pasta Fare and Client and Family Support Programs received
accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
In 1993, ICA received a “Community Services Award” from the AFL-CIO for providing employment
opportunities for the disabled.
In 1995, ICA entered into its first partnership with a public school. ICA is now operating seven
classrooms in satellite programs in public schools located in Granite City, Grafton, Bethalto and
Caseyville.
In 1997, in celebration of twenty years of dedication, research and progress, ICA hosted an
International Symposium on Autism. For the first time, seventeen world renowned leaders in the field of
autism presented at the same conference.
In 1998, the School Improvement Committee recommended that ICA take a whole new approach to
serving students with autism. Students are now changing classes through out the day. The students
have adjusted well to this change with significant improvement reflected in their behavior data.
In 2003, Pasta Fare was expanded to a fine dining establishment as well as an Italian take-out eatery.
In addition, Petals Remembered was opened to the public. This new venture was specifically designed
to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with autism. Petals
Remembered specializes in preserving flowers into a decorative floral arrangements.
Not only has ICA been able to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of hundreds of people with
autism, it has also helped them to become productive members of society. The future holds great
promise for ICA and the people it serves.
Rev. 2006
Historical Perspective