Local hospital takes aim at autism

Citing growing need, Streamwood Hospital launches acute care program

STREAMWOOD, IL- Streamwood Behavioral Health Hospital will begin admitting patients into its new Adolescent Acute Care Autism Program tomorrow. The innovative program is exclusively designed for 12 to 17 year olds on the autism spectrum who are experiencing an acute crisis and need stabilization in a hospital setting.

“Our autism program is uniquely designed to holistically treat children in a controlled environment with personalized care provided by an elite team of doctors and therapists along with the involvement of a patient’s family,” said CEO Cindy Meyer. “We believe, under these conditions, the prognosis is positive and hopeful.”

The American Psychiatric Association defines autism as a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism prevalence has risen dramatically since the 1970s when it was estimated 1 in every 10,000 children had the disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism is now found nationally in 1 out of every 150 births annually. The disorder affects boys four times more than girls.

“The need for autism mental health services is growing at a staggering rate,” Meyer said. “Streamwood Hospital is spearheading the effort to meet this need by creating a program with daily structured activities, occupational therapy consultation, speech and language services, and individual expressive therapy. All these elements are essential in handling such acute care cases.”

In addition to psychiatric services, each adolescent in the program will be assigned a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst as well as a special education teacher that has expertise in working with students on the autism spectrum. Outreach workers are also available to assist in working with caregivers, schools, and community providers. The program will serve between eight and eleven adolescents at a time in order to effectively meet each one’s special needs.

For more information on Streamwood Hospital's Acute Care Autism Program, you can contact the hospital at 630-837-9000.

Streamwood Behavioral Health Systems is Illinois' first exclusive and largest free-standing center for children and adolescents. Since 1991, Streamwood Behavioral Health Systems has served community needs by collaborating with facility leaders and employees as well as area residents to design programs that focus on prevention, intervention and sustainable aftercare for children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 17 years old. The hospital provides services that include support groups, counseling, inpatient care, intensive outpatient programs and psychiatric evaluations. Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. is the parent company of Streamwood Behavioral Health Systems.

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The terms “PSI” or the “Company” as used in this website refer to Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. and its affiliates, unless otherwise stated or indicated by context. The terms “facilities” and “PSI Facilities” refer to entities owned or operated by subsidiaries or affiliates of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. References herein to “PSI employees,” “Employees,” or “our employees” refer to employees of affiliates of Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.