A Truly Integrated Center
Submitted by Sharon Pike
I would love to tell you about a wonderful daycare in the Chicago area that does a top rate job in meeting the needs of all children-especially those with special needs. I work as the Parent Liaison at Easter Seals-DuPage, a pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center in Villa Park, Illinois. Located in our building is a childcare center that for many years has welcomed children from the community, staff children, and children who receive therapy at our center.
This is a truly integrated center that has given parents in our community the chance to return to work without having to worry about their child. Many times when I talk with parents to help them begin therapy, they wonder how will they fit it into their schedules. Having the center on-site allows a therapist to treat the child while mom and dad are at work, adapt the child’s schedule according to his or her day, and instruct the childcare teachers on how to work with the child so therapy doesn’t have to end with the session. Helping teachers know how to position, feed, and PLAY with our special needs kids is critical. Having them integrated with typically developing children is good for everyone.
I have an 11-year-old daughter with multiple needs and although Allison never attended the daycare on a regular basis, they were the first to welcome her for a drop-in session so I could attend a parent group on-site. This was prior to my employment there.
Ours is one of the few centers in the area that accepts children with physical, mental, and some medical needs. We have children who are g-tube fed, pump fed, have mild to severe CP, and seizure disorders. They are all exceptionally cared for and loved.
