Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about our autism support services at Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Center. If you have any other questions for our team of autism advocates, send us a quick message or contact us.
Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Center is a neurodiversity-affirming nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting autistic and other neurodivergent individuals and their families. Our mission is to help families navigate services, build community connections, access resources, and develop the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive. Our initial focus is on support groups, coaching, education, advocacy, and service coordination.
No. We welcome individuals with formal diagnoses, those who are pursuing evaluations, and those who identify with neurodivergent experiences. Our goal is to provide support based on individual needs rather than diagnostic labels.
Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Center is committed to serving individuals across their lifespan. We support children, teens, adults, parents, caregivers, and families because we recognize that support needs do not end at a certain age. Our programs are designed to grow alongside the needs of our community.
Neurodiversity-affirming means we recognize autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental differences as natural variations of human diversity. We do not view neurodivergence as something that needs to be cured or eliminated. Instead, we focus on helping individuals understand themselves, access accommodations, build skills, and live authentically.
Our initial offerings focus on:
As the organization grows, we hope to expand programming based on community needs and available resources.
Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Center does not currently provide direct therapy services. However, we help families identify, understand, and connect with qualified providers and community resources. We believe navigating services should be easier, and we strive to help families find support and resources that align with their goals and values.
Service coordination helps individuals and families understand available resources and navigate complex systems. This may include connecting families with educational supports, therapies, healthcare providers, community programs, financial resources, scholarships, and advocacy services. Our goal is to help families spend less time searching for help and more time receiving it.
Autism coaching is a strengths-based, collaborative support service that helps autistic individuals and families identify goals, solve problems, build self-advocacy skills, and navigate everyday challenges. Coaching focuses on empowerment, practical strategies, and quality of life while respecting each person's unique strengths and support needs.
Families are central to everything we do. We believe parents, caregivers, and family members are valuable partners in supporting neurodivergent individuals. Through support groups, educational workshops, coaching, and community events, we aim to create opportunities for families to learn, connect, and support one another.
Our educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be understood, respected, and supported as their authentic self.
We believe:
Rather than focusing on deficits, we focus on strengths, belonging, autonomy, and quality of life.
At this time, Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Center is operating as a community-based organization without a permanent physical location. Many of our services are offered virtually or through community partnerships. As we grow, we hope to establish dedicated spaces that support connection, learning, and access to services. If you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation to help us find our first space, we would appreciate your support in furthering our mission.
There are many ways to become part of the Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Centercommunity. You can participate in support groups, attend workshops, volunteer, partner with us, share resources, or help us spread awareness about our mission. We welcome individuals, families, professionals, and community members who share our commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive world.
Families and community members can subscribe to our newsletter, follow our social media channels, or contact us directly to learn about upcoming support groups, educational events, coaching opportunities, community partnerships, and future program development.
At this time, no. Our parent coaching, caregiver support, service coordination, and consultation services are not currently reimbursable through the Step Up For Students scholarship program.
Step Up For Students only reimburses services that meet specific state-approved provider and service requirements. While our coaching services provide valuable support to families, they do not currently fall under a reimbursable category.
Coaching services are currently offered as private-pay services. We will provide clear pricing and payment information before services begin.
Yes. As our programs expand, we intend to become a direct-pay provider for Step Up For Students eligible services.
A direct-pay provider can bill approved scholarship funds directly for eligible services, reducing the need for families to pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement.
We are actively planning for future programs that meet Step Up For Students requirements. While we cannot provide a specific timeline yet, becoming a direct-pay provider is part of our long-term growth plan.
Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the type of service and state guidelines. Some services may remain private pay, while others may qualify for scholarship funding.
We will announce any new scholarship-eligible services through our website, newsletters, social media channels, and family communications.
Absolutely. Many families find that coaching provides practical guidance, problem-solving support, resource navigation, advocacy assistance, and personalized strategies that help them better support their child and family.
We're happy to help. Contact Little Village Schoolhouse and Resource Center directly, and we'll discuss your family's needs and explain any current or future funding options available.
We know how unpredictable life can be and how important it is to have support when you need it. While we're building our little village schoolhouse, we're here to help you and your family navigate the challenges and find the community support you need to accomplish your goals.