Alexander Leigh Center for Autism holds ribbon-cutting ceremony
On Thursday, March 2, the Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate Alexander Leigh Center for Autism, 4100 Veterans Parkway, McHenry.
It is an Illinois State Board of Education approved, year-round, therapeutic day school serving children from the ages of 3-22 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), OHI, multiple disabilities, developmental delay, and/or intellectual disabilities. The center caters to those individual needs and offer one-to-one support to students.
Founded by Kelly Weaver and Dorie Hoevel, best friends and mothers of children with autism, who saw a need for more individualized support for autistic children.
Thoughts of a school started as they were envisioning a future for their then 5-year-old children over a Chinese dinner. By the time they were done with eating, they decided to open up a school for kids with autism.
Fueled by passion and perseverance, a few years later the two established Alexander Leigh Center for Autism, a place where children could reach their full individual potential.
"The school provides for those students with autism and some additional needs. We are open year-round and provide, in additional to educational, speech therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, behavioral therapy, and, for older students, job exploration and work programming. We also have a community integration so they can work in the community," says co-founder Kelly Weaver.
"We work with students in a very natural setting so that everything they learn can be applied at home, in the community, and in the workplace," Weaver adds.
The school's goal is to teach students the skills necessary to achieve functional independence while providing a safe and supportive environment.
To learn more about Alexander Leigh Center for Autism or schedule a tour, visit their website at alcacenter.org or call (815) 344-2522.
The Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is a business organization of over 544 local business members and professionals, community and nonprofit groups and area leaders dedicated to a prosperous local economy and a high quality of life for area residents. The chamber provides programs and resources to help local businesses succeed and coordinates community events such as Cary Cruise Nights, Halloween Walks and Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival. The Cary-Grove Chamber is located at 210 Crystal St., Ste. A. in Cary and has a full business resource center for community residents and local businesses.