Giant Steps

Giant Steps is committed to providing individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and their families, superior educational and therapeutic services focused on improving the quality of daily life from early childhood through adulthood.

Giant Steps was established October 22, 1996, as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation functioning as a non-public day school providing educational and therapeutic services specifically designed for persons ages 5 to 22 with autism, serving over 150 students. Our Canopy Adult Program provides services to adults with autism ages 22+, currently serving up to 45 participants. 

Therapeutic Day School:  Licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education for students aged 5-22, the Day School is the organization’s capstone program.  The Day School provides children and young adults with an individualized educational environment designed to meet specific needs of those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Specialized services include board certified Neurological Music Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, and social work. 

Canopy Adult Program:  A day program for adult individuals on the autism spectrum. The program began in May 2012 as a response to the growing needs of the adult autism population in the surrounding communities. The goals of the program include providing individualized programming that recognizes the strengths and interests of each participant, providing meaningful opportunities to interact with the broader community and to support participants in lifelong learning and engagement.

• Christine’s Dream Equestrian Center:  In partnership with Rich Harvest Farms, Christine’s Dream is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Center exclusively serving Canopy adult participants. All program activities are conducted under the instruction of a PATH International-certified instructor. Therapeutic riding helps individuals with physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive challenges by utilizing the movement of the horse to benefit the rider.