Families with Autism Helping Families with Autism
Come to a TACA Meeting!
Illinois

TACA holds monthly meetings in many locations throughout the United States that feature educational speakers on important topics and allow family members to connect with one another and stay on top of the latest information in the autism world. Each TACA group maintains a resource library of the latest autism books and DVDs/CDs that can be checked out by members at no charge.

Are you wondering what happens at a TACA meeting? Watch our video.

Illinois

This group meets in two locations. Please check below for specific meeting dates, times and location.
Oak Park (Chicago)
Location:
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
545 S. East Ave. Oak Park, IL 60304
Directions from your location
Crystal Lake
Location:
Home State Bank, Community Meeting Room on basement level
611 S. Main Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Directions from your location
Information: Contact Sara DiFucci, Christina Blakey and Linda Betzold
Child care: Not offered at this time, sorry
February 13
Oak Park location
Ann Stout, MSW

Recent QEEG Brain Imaging Findings in Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the Implications for Connectivity-Guided Neurofeedback as a Way to Address Autism Symptoms

4-6 p.m.

Neurofeedback or "biofeedback for the brain" has been the subject of research for the symptoms of Attention Deficit disorders for over twenty years. Now with the use of the QEEG, evidence of specific brain patterns have been shown to exist in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Using QEEG as a guide, neurofeedback training has been used to train specific deficiencies identified in the autistic brain map. Training these areas with a specific type of neurofeedback called Connectivity Guided Neurofeedback has been demonstrated to be effective in improving attention, behavior, communication and socialization. In a large study conducted by Dr. Robert Coben in 2007, all 85 children in the experimental group showed a decrease in autistic symptoms from 20% to 100%. The average overall improvement for this group was a 57% decrease in autistic symptoms. Follow up of these subjects after one year showed that these improvements held and some subjects made additional cognitive and social gains.

This presentation will focus on what the QEEG reveals in the autistic brain and how connectivity guided neurofeedback works to make functional changes in the brain. Ann Stout will explore recent ongoing research into neurofeedback with autism and provide clinical case illustrations from her own practice.

Ann L. Stout is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 24 years in the mental health field, working with children, adults, families, and couples. Ms. Stout added brain mapping neurofeedback to her practice in 2001 and has utilized this method to address the symptoms associated with neuropsychological conditions including ADD/ADHD, autism, addictions, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, post traumatic stress and others with a great deal of success.

Ms. Stout earned her MSW at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to entering private practice in 1997, she worked in hospitals and outpatient settings and held supervisory positions within them. Ms. Stout has also been a field placement instructor for graduate students.

Ms. Stout is certified in EEG biofeedback (BCIA-EEG) through the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. She earned a two-year postgraduate certification in Family Therapy and is certified by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). She is also a member of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR), the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

February 20
Crystal Lake location
Sonja Hintz, RN and Barry Smeltzer, MPAS, PA-C

Get Your Questions About Biomedical Treatments Answered!

4:30-6:30 p.m.

Send us your biomed questions about diet, chelation, hyperbarics, methylation, supplements, sleep problems, poop problems, yeast issues, anything! Your questions will be answered and become the catalyst for our discussion. Join us for some GFCFSF food and a great biomed discussion with Sonja and Barry.

Sonja and Barry come to us from Dr. Anju Usman's practice at True Health Medical Center in Naperville. Sonja is a nurse and has a son who has recovered from autism. Barry is a physician's assistant and is also the father of a child with autism.

  

Need support BETWEEN support group meetings?

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Real Help Now Live Chat
We are currently testing a new web feature: Live Chat with a TACA Parent. The image below indicates whether a TACA Parent is currently available. Please click on the image below to initiate a chat session.

Frequently Asked Questions About Live Chat

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Yahoo!
Email lists are a great way to stay connected between meetings. You can subscribe, read emails and ask questions all related to autism. These lists connect you to other parents like you! Here is how to connect:
Step 1 - Get a Yahoo! user ID and password
Step 2 - Search for groups in your area. Here are some groups we like:

Step 4 - Click on “Join This Group”
Step 5 - Set your account to “Individual Emails,” “Daily Digest” or “Web Only.”
GFCFkids is not affiliated with TACA.

  

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