Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) - Oak Park

My son was a part of card for over 2 yrs. CARD recently discontinued his serves because I missed some of my parent meeting. Never did I not apologize or try to rescedule the meeting. Not to mention I was not the only parent doing this. I was warraned if I continue to miss my parent meetings they will discontinue my son therapy sessions I thought this was so unfair. When I addressed my concerns to leadership team the team prentended to address my concerns. But it turned out they were basically coming up with a plan to push us out. My son was attending the OAK PARK CENTER IN IL. The leadership there is prejudice and will treat you unfair and low key nasty. The team recently made a decision to kick my son out of ABA due to my so call continuing to complain. And the sad part is that my son is still in very much need of therapy. I am a single mom with 2 jobs and currently in school. I am my sons biggest advocate and works hard with him and do my very best getting him the serves he need. WHAT HAPPENED TO PARENTS HAVING THE RIGHT TO ADRESS THEIR CONCERNS This was wrong on so many levels I highly recommend THAT YOU DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILD TO CARD. ESPECIALLY the OAK PARK OFFICE IN IL. They will smile in your face but if you stand up for yourself or dress your concerns your child may get kicked out too

My son was in this center for few months.They have one of the red flags in their policy.Parents are not allowed to observe sessions unless they schedule an observation in advance. That means you can not randomly get to see whats going on in sessions.Once I scheduled an observation I really was super uncomfortable with what I saw.They let my kid eat for 60min and the rest of therapy was some watered down ABA.I took him out shortly upon this happened

I strongly advise parents to avoid this place for autism as it is not good at all. My visit left me feeling horrified and deeply saddened. The staff seemed clueless and untrained in handling children with autism. I witnessed a child crying and the ABA dismissed it as mere whining despite the child clearly having a meltdown. The overall environment was unprofessional messy and dirty. I would not recommend leaving any child with autism or any disability in this place. I left feeling hurt and in tears. The children there looked sad confused and upset. I strongly suggest that parents keep their children away from this place and continue searching for better options. This place is simply not suitable for any child with autism or any disability.

My son didnt advance as fast as he is advancing now since we have left CARD. He has attended his new ABA therapy for 3 months now and is singing full nursery rhymes can name what things are loves to play with his peers and is repeating everything. He attended CARD for 2 years and never wanted to play with other kids or say any words. He also began new behaviors like spitting while at CARD. He no longer spits. There are so many ABA therapies that have a school environment for your early learning toddler to learn the skills to get himher where heshe needs to get without feeling caged in a small room which is what I noticed with CARD vs other ABA therapies. No circle time or time to play with and be around peers. My son loves circle time at his new school.