Giant Steps
Grades and ages
Grades K-12 & up to 22
Enrollment
119 students
Student-teacher ratio
2:1
Tuition
Public School District Placement via IEP (100% Covered) / Inquire for Adult Day Rates
About Giant Steps
Giant Steps began in 1996, when a group of families went looking for a different kind of school for their autistic children. Today our licensed therapeutic day school in Lisle serves more than 160 students from dozens of Illinois school districts, ages 5 to 22, from kindergarten through transition.
Every student has primary special education eligibility under autism and comes to us through a district IEP placement. LBS1-certified special education teachers lead each classroom with senior program assistants and paraprofessionals, and related services happen inside the school day: occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, social work, music therapy and behavior plans designed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts using ABA. Academics follow the Illinois Learning Standards, and each student has a personalized sensory diet. We run 176 regular school days plus a 29-day Extended School Year for students who qualify.
Our S.T.R.I.D.E. transition program for ages 18 to 22 teaches daily living and job skills through on-site roles like running the cafe cart and community volunteering at places such as the Morton Arboretum and West Suburban Humane Society. Adults over 22 can continue in our Canopy program, and Christine's Dream offers equine-assisted learning.
Student fit
Who this school serves
Grades and ages
- Private
- Elementary (K-5)
- Middle School (6-8)
- High School (9-12)
- Young Adult (18-22)
Learning needs supported
- Autism
Specialties
- Autism-specific education
- Multidisciplinary team
- Community-based instruction
- Sensory diets
Learning and support
Curriculum and therapeutic services
Services and supports
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language therapy
- School social work
- Music therapy
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
Programs
Programs at Giant Steps
Other programs and supports
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language therapy
- School social work
- Music therapy
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA)
School facts
Practical details for families
- School Day
- 6.1 hours
- School Year
- 176 days
- Student Body
- Coed
- Religious Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
Tuition and funding
Tuition: Public School District Placement via IEP (100% Covered) / Inquire for Adult Day Rates
- District IEP placement
Enrollment
119 students
Visit us
Location and directions
Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Giant Steps
What population and age ranges does Giant Steps serve?
Giant Steps is exclusively dedicated to individuals on the Autism Spectrum. The Day School serves students ages 5 through 22, while the Canopy Adult Program provides lifelong skill building, community engagement, and vocational training for adults.
What specialized therapies are included in the school day at Giant Steps?
Students receive integrated speech-language therapy with advanced AAC support, occupational therapy with sensory integration gyms, board-certified music therapy, and adaptive physical education tailored to individual IEP goals.
How do students get placed at Giant Steps?
School-age placement occurs through a referral from the student's home school district during an IEP meeting. When the IEP team recommends Giant Steps, tuition and door-to-door transportation are paid by the public school district.
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