Palatine school plans to expand

New Connections Academy Principal Tom Dempsey says he has to turn away prospective students nearly every day.

The privately operated, publicly funded Palatine school, exclusive to high-functioning autistic children and teens, just doesn't have the room to accommodate an underserved population.

"The biggest problem we have is turning away students from a family or school district," said Dempsey.

But if expansion plans move forward, enrollment will grow from 40 to 60 students first grade to high school.

On Monday, the Palatine Village Council approved New Connections Academy's proposal to rent adjacent office space in its building, located at 865 E. Wilmette Road.

The additional space will feature an art therapy room, two classrooms and offices. Faculty will also increase by two teachers, two therapists, five program assistants and one behavior intervention specialist for a total of 37 staff.

Run by Libertyville-based Counseling Connections, New Connections is the only Chicago area school solely dedicated to students with high-functioning autism, according to Dempsey. It opened in December 2006 as an outgrowth of Connections Day School's south campus in Palatine, which serves students with emotional and behavioral issues.

"There are many programs for lower-functioning kids, but the needs of this category of kids aren't really being met by any existing private or public school," he said.

Administrators thought a 40-student program was optimal, but now recognize a growing need.

"The incidence of autism is really increasing," said Dempsey. "It's up to 1 in 150 births, due in part to better diagnosis. They may have previously been considered learning disabled or as having a behavioral disorder."

New Connections works with kids who are placed by public school districts. The intention is students make progress and then transition back into a public school or work program.