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iCan Dream Center | Chicago South Suburban Special Education

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Dear Parents

Dear Parents

Dear Parents of Diverse Learners, Take a moment for yourself and remember how amazing you are! You always put others before yourself and lose the importance of taking care of yourself too. Being a parent of a diverse learner can be overwhelming but somehow, someway, you make it look so easy in the eyes of …

Be the Creator

Be the Creator

Piece of Advice: You are a creator. You do not need permission to innovate. Nothing in this world just happens. Someone must be the one who did it. The person who does it becomes legendary. Create your own path from your heart. There is an entire universe around you that wants you to fulfill your …

Understanding Anxiety

Understanding Anxiety

You have probably heard during the pandemic that “we are in unprecedented times” albeit overused it is a true statement. This reminder that there is no roadmap or charted course for this era fans the flames of anxiety. “Anxiety is a general emotional state of uneasiness or distress associated with worry or apprehension about future …

Trust: The Center of Everything We Do

Trust: The Center of Everything We Do

iCan Dream Center (ICD) has many programs. We are an ISBE Approved Transition Program helping young adults with disabilities develop the skills to reach their full adult potential, a therapeutic after school program, a credit recovery program, an ABA counseling program and more. At the center of all of these is the concept of trust. …

A Parent’s Heart for Communication

A Parent’s Heart for Communication

By: Peggy Burnap Photo credit: Christian Life Center I took for granted the gift of fluid communication or “sending, giving, or exchanging of information and ideas” prior to becoming a parent. I communicated with my loved ones, near and far through calls, emails, letters, and even poetry. Despite relative success, I was left pondering about …

Changing Community Perspectives: Vocational Inclusion

Changing Community Perspectives: Vocational Inclusion

A Behavior Therapist at iCan Dream Center affectionately known as “Mr. T” shared that “…what [he] experienced is truly eye opening!” in response to his role in supporting the acquisition of critical vocational skills at community job placement sites. He has a first-hand perspective of the tendency for employers to underestimate our student’s capabilities.  At …

Autism: Courage and Advocacy

Autism: Courage and Advocacy

We prioritize and frequently attend community events. Our goal is to get resources in the hands of families, but we also gain a great deal of insight about pain points, service gaps, and the actual impact diverse learners have on the family unit. On one occasion, we encountered a grandmother who had recently received the …