Easterseals Academy

We are a non-public, therapeutic day school for students with autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, developmental delay, or intellectual disability.

Easterseals Academy has three campuses in Chicago, Tinley Park, and Machesney Park to serve students ages 3 to 22 who meet specific enrollment requirements. We empower each student to improve academic performance, increase social and vocational skills, develop communication skills, and foster the acquisition of functional life skills for independence in the community.

School districts contract with Easterseals to assist in providing educational programs for children with educational eligibilities of autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, development delay, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, or other health impairment. We view students’ parents/guardians and home districts as key partners in the educational process.

Enrollment

Curriculum and Activities

Clinical Services

Post-Secondary Transition Program: Ages 18-22

Parent Support Group

Meet the team

Mary "Betsey" Pohl

Director of Educational and Clinical Services

Mary “Betsey” Pohl (formerly Tallon), MEd, OT/L is the Director of Educational and Clinical Services for Easterseals Academy.

Contact details

Mary "Betsey" Pohl

Director of Educational and Clinical Services

1939 W 13th Street
Chicago, IL 60608

Tel: 312.432.1751

btallon@eastersealschicago.org

Kristin Hrdlicka

Principal

Terry Brown

Principal

Sarah Rose

Principal

Events

See our upcoming events.

Event

10/23/2022 at 12:30 pm

PARTNER EVENT: Rise to Shine 10K/5K/1M Inclusive Run & Walk

The Chicago Lighthouse, in partnership with the Chicago Central Lions Club, is hosting an inaugural Rise to Shine 10K/5K/1M Inclusive Run & Walk.

Learn more

Event

02/24/2023 at 11:30 am

SAVE THE DATE: A Night of Inspiration Gala 2023

Please join us and be inspired by the many achievements of our students and families. This night to remember will include dinner, cocktails, music, and dancing. Details and ticket information to come.

Learn more

Search our resources.

Educational Programs

Therapy for Autism

Latest

Podcast

09/17/2022

Episode 3: How to Turn Around a Nonprofit in Crisis

When Sara Ray Stoelinga became the new President & CEO of Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford in May 2019, the organization was in financial and organizational crisis. They were more than $22 million in debt with an additional several million dollars in unpaid bills and were barely making payroll. The direction and sustainability of the agency were uncertain. This podcast delves into how Stoelinga — together with the Board of Directors, strong new senior leaders, and essential external partners — righted the ship at the non-profit and the lessons learned along the way on the journey from organizational peril to a future of growth and prosperity.

Document

08/11/2022