The School at Children’s Habilitation Center
A strong education is essential to helping every child reach their full potential.
At Children’s Habilitation Center, we take an individualized approach to learning and development, tailoring support to each student’s goals.
We combine personalized academic instruction, proven communication support, and assistive technology, working together to deliver high-quality pediatric education when it matters most.
CHC’s education program is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
CHC is accredited by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).
OUR MISSION
Individualized Instruction for Every Child, Every Day
The Education Department at Children’s Habilitation Center (CHC) provides specialized instruction for students with complex medical and physical needs. Our team delivers daily, individualized learning in literacy, mathematics, science, and functional life skills, designed to match each student’s abilities and communication style.
We operate on a foundational belief: a child’s disability does not diminish their right to high-quality education.
We believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of disability. At CHC, every student receives structured learning, proven communication support, and clear, consistent expectations, starting today, not someday.
“At CHC, education is not passive… Every student deserves access to meaningful academic content, communication opportunities, and the chance to grow — regardless of physical or medical complexity.”
-Ebony Blair-Jones, Director of Education
OUR TEACHING APPROACH
Learning built around each student,
not a one-size-fits-all plan.
Every student in our program has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a personalized roadmap that guides everything from the materials we use to how we communicate with our students. We work closely with families to ensure the plan reflects who each child is and what they need.
Our teachers use methods shown to be effective for children including step-by-step multimodal instruction and ongoing progress checks. We gradually build independence over time, offering support where it’s needed and stepping back as each student gains confidence and skills.
GIVING EVERY CHILD A VOICE
Every child has something to say;
our role is to help them express it.
Many of our students are described as “nonverbal,” but we believe every child communicates. We are committed to giving a voice to those who may not yet have one in a traditional sense, by finding the tools and approaches that help each child share their thoughts and build those skills every day.
Whether a child uses a speech-generating device, communicates through eye gaze, presses a switch to make choices, or uses pictures to express needs, we meet them where they are. We model communication throughout the day, encourage every effort, and help each child develop a consistent and meaningful way to connect with the world around them.
PROGRESS & MILESTONES
Every step forward matters, and we celebrate them all.
Progress looks different for every student, and we never compare one child to another. What matters is that every student is moving forward, building independence, strengthening communication, and deepening their connection to learning and the people around them.
Here are some of the meaningful milestones we work toward together:
Milestone 1: CONNECTION
Finding a consistent, reliable way for a child to communicate their wants and needs.
Milestone 2: INDEPENDENCE
Reducing the physical support your child needs to complete tasks on their own.
Milestone 3: ENGAGEMENT
Staying focused and involved during learning activities for longer stretches of time.
Milestone 4: UNDERSTANDING
Showing, in their own respective ways, that they understand academic concepts and ideas.
Milestone 5: CHOICE-MAKING
Independently activating a device, switch, or picture to express a preference or answer.
Milestone 6: GROWTH
Measurable progress tracked daily with goals and milestones – celebrated along the way.
