Good Shepherd and I-CARE Partner to Open Autism Resource Center Illinois Curing Autism through Research and  Education (I-CARE), has teamed up with the Good Shepherd Center to open the Autism Resource Center in the south suburbs. Their joint mission is to supply resources, training and referrals for families with a child  or adult diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The Autism Resource Center will be housed in the Good Shepherd Center, at 2220 Carroll Parkway, Flossmoor, IL.

Good Shepherd Center was incorporated in 1963 as a not-for-profit school providing therapeutic services for children with disabilities ages birth to 7 while providing parents and other family members with needed information and support. The agency has since evolved into an Early Intervention program that provides children ages birth to 3 with Physical, Occupational, Speech & Developmental Therapy to improve the overall physical condition of the child, while preparing them to transition into the public school system most effectively.

Additionally, Good Shepherd Center provides other services for individuals with developmental disabilities including pediatric therapy services for children  through age 10, an In-Home Respite Care program for those residing in south suburban Cook County, and a Lekotek therapeutic toy lending library for children ages birth to 10 residing in south suburban Cook, northern Will and Kankakee counties.

"We are proud to have our facility offer expanded services to the community," stated Brendan McCormick, executive director of Good Shepherd. "The  Autism Resource Center will assemble a networking of resources available in our area so that families and individuals whose lives are affected by autism spectrum disorder can easily get the information or assistance they need."

For more detailed information about the Autism Resource Center, or if you would like to be involved, call 708.957.5700 or visit I-CARE online at www.icareinfo.org.

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