Center for Autism
About the Center for Autism
Little Friends Center for Autism (LFCA) strives to provide a fulfilling life for those we serve through comprehensive therapy services and evidence-based treatment strategies. We understand the range of emotions that may come with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and we are here to help families along the way. Our Center is home to dedicated staff providing exceptional care and services to help foster growth and empower those we serve. In addition to our therapeutic services, we offer a wide range of trainings available to other professional organizations.
Little Friends Center for Autism continues to be a leader in the field of autism. As the field of autism and developmental disabilities is constantly changing, we aim to provide the most up-to-date evidence-based care and learn from the diversity of those we serve and their families. We strive to provide not just the best services but the best services specific to your child and family. We truly believe in a team approach and know how valuable these services are for gaining essential life skills. We look forward to working with families as they navigate life with autism, whether it is at the beginning of the journey, middle, or ongoing.
Here at LFCA, we provide an inviting environment to help build skills, increase functional communication and enhance social interactions with others. Our clinical team is available throughout the entire process beginning with the inquiry request. From there, our team provides ongoing support and communication to ensure collaboration of care.

Therapies
Our center offers several therapies to best fit the needs of each individual. These include:
Diagnostic Evaluations
Little Friends Center for Autism consults with and has relationships with local clinics and providers to help families secure autism diagnostic evaluations to guide future therapeutic decisions. Speak with our office staff or Family Care Team for more information.
Meet the Staff
The staff at Little Friends Center for Autism is comprised of Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, Behavior Therapists, Registered Behavior Technicians, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and support staff.
Jenna Ryan, BCBA
Center Clinical Director
Lisa Cisek, M.Ed.
Senior Behavior Therapist
Jennifer Anthony
Speech-Language Pathologist
Abigail Joyce
Occupational Therapist
Insurance Information
Little Friends Center for Autism accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare for our therapies. Toilet training and socials skills groups are not covered by insurance.
Illinois requires commercial insurance plans to cover ABA therapy. The patient owes whatever amount the insurance company does not cover. On average, insurance covers 90-95% of the total expenses. Without that level of help, ABA may be unaffordable. While most commercial insurance plans cover ABA therapy costs, there are some self-funded insurance plans that do not. Even though insurance generally covers most of the costs, patients still owe out of pocket expenses in the form of deductibles, copays, or coinsurances.
For speech and occupational therapies, cost varies by insurance plan, number of therapy hours, and other factors. Our office manager can help verify benefits before services begin so you and your family know what costs might be involved before therapies begin.
As children grow, the skills required for social interaction and friendships change and become more complex. Little Friends Center for Autism provides a variety of social skills groups focusing on matching children to peers that are similar in age and ability. These groups are interactive focusing on building skills to help your child succeed. We are always forming groups based on the age, needs, and availability of participants.