About Us
Learn about our group
PASSAGE is a support group launched in August 2008 to help promote awareness and assist people with Asperger Syndrome and Non-Verbal Learning Disability to transition to the adult world successfully. Our members include teens, young adults, parents, professionals, and members of the community.
Unique to our group is that Dr. Christopher Watson, Psy.D, a local psychologist with extensive experience working with individuals of all ages on the autistic spectrum, Linda Hoeck, NSSEO, Autism Coordinator, with years of experience working with children, teens, and young adults on the autistic spectrum, and Stacey Watson, a Licensed Clinical Counselor and Harper College Access and Disability Counselor, facilitate the meetings. This group addresses the concerns of parents, teens, and young adults.
Although each meeting addresses different issues, we usually try to structure meetings so that at some point, parents, community members, professionals, and students/young adults meet together. Our younger members questions and concerns are addressed by the speaker during the first half so that they may partake in fellowship (example: playing an interactive group game) and a short social skill activity in the second half. Parents and community members meet in the second half with the presenter to have their questions and concerns addressed and also to share some time in fellowship at the beginning and end of the meeting.
We are also very fortunate to have professionals from both NSSEO (Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization) and Harper College Access and Disability Office who are active members and provide guidance and direction to our group. Please visit our resource page for contact information for both NSSEO and Harper College.
Issues we address during meetings include:
College Transition and Accommodations
Job
Skills
Independent Living
Volunteer Opportunities
And More...
Members of Note
Co-coordinator:
Donna Alexander
Co-coordinator:
Sue Demma
Co-coordinator:
Teri Dudasik
Group Facilitator
Licensed Clinical Psychologist:
Christopher Watson, Psy.D.
Messages from Dr. Watson
Group Facilitator
NSSEO/Autism Coordinator:
Linda Hoeck
Messages from Linda
Group Facilitator
Licensed Clinical and College Disability Counselor:
Stacey Watson
Special Education Chair for Palatine High School:
Kelli Klein
Group Consultant:
Patrick Winslow
Graphics and Web Designer:
Alex Dudasik