New Autism Center Opens In Aurora During Autism Acceptance Month

AURORA, IL — Just in time for Autism Acceptance Month, celebrated annually in April, a new autism center for children is officially open in Aurora.

The Place for Children with Autism, located at 140 S. River St. in downtown Aurora, is a full-day therapeutic program for children ages 2 through 6. The Aurora spot is the group's 15th location in the Chicagoland area, with others in Joliet and Elgin.

Aurora officials welcomed The Place with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the evening of April 20. Mayor Richard Irvin, Commissioners on the Aurora Advisory Commission on Disabilities and The Place staff were among those in attendance.

At the center, children will have access to one-on-one support, a structured learning environment, extracurricular activities and social skills groups. Trained therapists work with children using treatment plans designed to fit the needs of each child and family, officials said.

"The trained therapists at The Place prepare children with autism for the transition from our program to traditional school settings by improving behaviors that could be interfering with learning and teaching and developing the required skills for starting traditional school," reads a news release.

The Place is recognized as a Top 50 Healthcare Provider in the country by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare, according to Clayton Muhammad, the city's chief communications officer.