Community Education

We are committed to educating our community about disabilities, including autism. Our staff members work with the public to raise awareness about disabilities and help people understand how to create a more inclusive community.
Please contact us if you would like one of our qualified staff members to address your group or organization.

Community Business Partnerships

Do you represent a company or an organization and are interested in hiring Easterseals' qualified program participants? Please visit our Ability Awareness and Inclusion Partnership page for more details. Our staff will be happy to meet with you and discuss how your company can create a more inclusive work culture.

Community Groups

The estimated cost of an undiagnosed individual with autism or an intellectual disability is nearly $3.5 million. The sooner a diagnosis can happen, the better.

Our Community Relations team offers presentations to a variety of community groups (churches, first responders, rotary clubs, chamber meetings, etc.) in order to help more people understand and identify the behaviors associated with autism and other disabilities.

  • First Responders/ Public Safety Officials: People with autism may act nervous or exhibit unusual behaviors when questioned by law enforcement. Our Community Relations team works with first responders and public officials to help them communicate and interact with people with autism.

Professional Training

Our Professional Training Program is available to professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including teachers, therapists, and administrators.

Professional Training combines classroom instruction with guided observation and coaching. It helps people understand how to create a more inclusive community and support individuals with disabilities. Please contact us if you would like one of our qualified staff members to address your group or organization.

  • Doctors — especially pediatricians — often make connections for families impacted by disability. We offer presentations to doctors and physician groups in order to raise awareness about available resources in the community.
  • Teachers are with their students five days a week and witness how they interact with other students in both social and educational settings. They have a unique opportunity to guide students and families to disability resources.

Self-Determination In Action

Easteresals Midwest is now offering courses to empower people with disabilities to be a personal advocate for themselves and others within the disability community. Both courses are offered to anyone with a disability, including families. Click here to learn more about the Self-Determination in Action Project.

Educational Advocacy

We are committed to educating our community about disabilities, including autism. It is our mission to support families and children as they set educational goals and prepare for a bright future. We offer:

•    In-Services/Presentations
•    Observations
•    School/IEP Support

In-Services/Presentations
Our staff works with professionals to help them understand the nature of autism and the best methods and practices for teaching children with autism. The presentation can be tailored to suit a variety of audiences, industries, and situations.

Observation (School, Church, etc.)
Our staff observes how a child with autism interacts with peers and provides feedback and recommendations to teachers and caregivers. We also provide a follow up in-service presentation to help caregivers in all parts of a child’s life understand how to support them.

School/Individualized Education Plan Support
Our staff members are on hand to attend Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings with families and caregivers. We assist each IEP team in designing an effective plan that prepares each child for a successful school year

What regions offer Community Education?

We offer Community Education at each of our regions:

Eastern Missouri
Northwest Missouri
Southeast Missouri
Central Missouri
Southwest Missouri

For a full list of our offices, please visit our Locations page.

To learn more about our programs at Easterseals Midwest,
please contact us at 1-800-200-2119 or info@esmw.org.

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