About Us
Committed to Being a Trusted Resource
Little Friends began in 1965 when a group of teachers, parents, and advocates came together to create a school for children with special needs. What started as a single program has grown into a comprehensive human services agency dedicated to supporting children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and social-emotional needs.
Today, we offer a wide range of services, including educational and vocational training, community-based residential living, our Center for Autism, Wellness Center, and Family Respite Services. Little Friends proudly serves individuals and families across nine counties and more than 50 school districts in Illinois.
We are honored to be accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership, the leading international authority on measuring and improving personal quality of life, affirming our commitment to excellence and impact.
Empowering people of all ages experiencing autism, intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities, and their families, to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities.
To, as an organization, be recognized as one of the premier providers of services in the state of Illinois addressing the needs of children, adults, and families challenged by autism, intellectual/developmental, emotional, and physical disabilities. To provide whole person care through direct services and alliance partners the most robust offering of clinical and research support in the field of autism.
Little Friends was established in 1965, when teachers, parents, and advocates began a school for children with special needs. Since then, Little Friends has grown to a multi-faceted human services agency providing a variety of services for children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and social-emotional needs.
Today, Little Friends services include educational and vocational training programs, community-based residential living, our Center for Autism, and respite family services. Our agency serves individuals and families throughout nine counties and over 50 school districts across Illinois. Little Friends is proud to be accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership, the leading international authority dedicated to the measurement and improvement of personal quality of life.
