Little Friends was established in 1965, when teachers, parents, and advocates began a school for children with special needs. Since then, Little Friends has grown to a multi-faceted human services agency providing a variety of services for children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and social emotional needs.
Today, Little Friends services include educational and vocational training programs, community-based residential living, our Center for Autism, and respite family services. Our agency serves individuals and families throughout nine counties and over 50 school districts across Illinois. Little Friends is proud to be accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership, the leading international authority dedicated to the measurement and improvement of personal quality of life.
Little Friends' mission is to empower people of all ages experiencing autism, intellectual and emotional disabilities, and their families to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities.
