Play with a Purpose: BASES at Elk Grove Village’s Get Fit Fair
An interactive play area gave the community a look at how we learn through play at BASES Autism Services.
On September 12, we joined the Elk Grove Park District’s Fall Get Fit Fair, held from 8 a.m. to noon. The event brought together healthcare partners, local organizations, and community members to connect and learn about ways to stay fit and healthy.
Alongside sponsors including Ascension, Duly, the Elk Grove Village Public Library, and other neighborhood organizations, we shared a little of what happens inside our clinic.
Bringing the clinic experience into the community
We mainly connected with families and their children, older adults and seniors throughout the morning. Our interactive play area offered a chance to experience the spinning fish toy and a game of bags, both of which we use as learning materials for children in our clinic.
For visitors, these were activities to explore. For our team, they were a way to share how a child’s interests become part of their therapy.
Part of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is understanding what a child likes. Their preferred toys and activities help us build rapport and connection. They also help us develop individualized programs that meet each child’s interests and needs.
How play supports school readiness
At BASES, we use play-based behavioral therapy to support social skill development, functional communication, and independent living skills.
Our programs include activities that mirror experiences children may encounter in a classroom. A child’s interests help shape how we introduce and practice those skills.
School readiness is an important part of this work. We help children build lifelong skills they can carry from the clinic into school settings and beyond. Practicing a skill in the clinic is part of the process; using it across different settings is another.
For parents and caregivers exploring ABA therapy before starting school, this is part of the conversation we have about their child’s individual needs and goals.
Connecting families with autism services in Elk Grove Village
Community events like the Get Fit Fair give us a chance to share our approach with people who may be parents, grandparents, caregivers, or simply curious about autism services.
Our community event team includes a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a fieldwork student, and our community engagement team. We’re there to answer questions about ABA therapy, parent coaching and support, and the process of starting services.
Whether we’re speaking with a family looking for support or someone trying our clinic materials for the first time, these conversations help the community get to know BASES and the children we serve.
Looking for ABA therapy and school readiness support in Elk Grove Village, IL, or the surrounding areas? Connect with BASES Autism Services for a free consultation with one of our licensed BCBA’s.