At JCFS Chicago, helping children, teens, and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) integrate into the community and improve their quality of life is at the core of what we do.

Having books in the home is proven to positively benefit children in a myriad of ways. A two-decade long study found that the mere presence of a home library increases children’s academic success, vocabulary development, attention and job attainment.

Though the holidays represent a time of fun, family time and tradition, they can also bring heightened stress. On top of everyday responsibilities, there are plenty of changes to your regular schedule including travel, hosting family dinners and possible financial burden. Integrated Pediatric Therapies director Jennie Marble recommends these tools to help your family thrive this holiday season.

Through play, children develop motor coordination, social skills, emotional regulation, as well as learn how to process the sensory input in their environment.  The occupational therapists at JCFS Chicago’s Integrated Pediatric Therapies and Therapeutic Day School make sure each child has fun at work!

Our Integrated Pediatric Therapies (IPT) therapists first met Jackson when he was a toddler and experiencing developmental delays. With the help of the IPT team, Jackson was able to make great strides in his language, social and emotional development. 

Did you know that too many toys in a child’s play environment can have a negative effect on their development? Having access to fewer toys enhances children’s cognitive and neurological development according to the findings of a study conducted by the University of Toledo and recently published in The Journal of Infant Behavior and Development.

With winter upon us, it's time for snowy day activities, holiday traditions, breaks from school and family visits. But, when your child has a sensory processing disorder it can be challenging to enjoy family traditions and special occasions together. Here are some suggestions to keep your child comfortable, safe and having fun this winter!

If you ask parents what they wish for their child, the answer is usually “to make friends in school.”  Making friends is an important part of childhood, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy. Children are not born with social skills, so parents need to prepare them to interact successfully with other kids.

With close to 15% of U.S. children ages 6–19 experiencing hearing loss, Integrated Pediatric Interventions notes that May Is Better Hearing & Speech Month is the ideal time for parents to learn more about the sometimes-subtle signs of hearing loss, ways it can affect school-aged children, and where to find help.

By Integrated Pediatric Therapies

A Social Story, developed by special needs teacher Carol Gray, is a social learning tool that support the safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals and people with autism of all ages.