Cognitive Solutions Learning Center, Locations in Chicago and Highland Park, IL

Cognitive Solutions Learning Center is offering one on one and group treatment programs for children and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as those diagnosed with varying developmental disabilities. We are currently offering the following programs:

  • Social Skills Training
  • Life and Job Skills Training
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Training
  • Quantitative EEG's and Neurofeedback


    • Social Skills Training


    Cognitive Solutions is offering individualized Autism Spectrum Disorder social skills training services. Sessions include one on one and group opportunities. Each child will be evaluated for current skill level in the following areas: communication, adaptive coping skills, social interaction, play and leisure, fine and gross motor skills, daily living, community awareness and individual use and need of structure.

    Based on the evaluation and consultation with parents integrative one on one sessions are planned to raise the individuals areas of weakness while reinforcing their strengths. These sessions are specially designed for each child according to current functioning level and the desired outcomes. The sessions will reinforce previous skills in order to prevent regression between meetings. These sessions are meant to compliment existing academic or individual training.

    Group sessions may also be available based on interest. Group sessions are especially helpful for developing social interaction skills that are essential for independence.

    Neurofeedback and QEEG (Brain Mapping) are also offered in conjunction with skills training. Please refer to our neurofeedback section to learn more about neurotherapy/QEEGs and their benefits

    Sessions may include:

  • Communication: To expand on the person’s main mode of communication. We’ll address both expressive and receptive language. A teach/learn/practice method will be used for learning how to communicate needs, wants, opinions, and feelings. Training may also include initiating conversation, how to be a part of a reciprocal conversation and so forth.

  • Structure: We’ll teach structure through structure. A visually structured learning environment will create a comfortable atmosphere conducive to learning. We’ll teach the importance of structure in everyday life, and how to establish it across various settings.

  • Adaptive Coping Skills: Learning how to understand and manage emotions under various circumstances in a range of settings. Opportunities for role-playing allow for practice and learning of alternative ways to deal with and express different emotions.

  • Social Interaction: Provide opportunities to learn about ourselves and others. Learn strategies for getting to know people, making friends, the differences between talking with friends, family, teachers, and strangers. Understanding and practicing strategies for dealing with age appropriate social situations.

  • Cognitive/Functional Academics: Address areas of academic concern. Practice various strategies for learning and retaining information. Facilitate opportunities for working independently as well through guided instruction.

  • Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Learn general fine and gross motor skills essential for independence, including:

    • Fine motor: buttoning, zipping, cutting, using tongs, stringing beads, etc.

    Gross motor: stretching, lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. As well as exercises that focus on exerting energy: yoga, aerobics, etc.

  • Play/Leisure: Providing time to learn and appreciate our ability to relax. Play and leisure would be integrated into a work break schedule, as well as times where we simply provide and practice opportunity for structured play. Through this we can teach sharing, turning taking, waiting, rules, and structure.

  • Community: Address things and people we may see within the community. Learn to identify and respond according to various stimuli within the community. Discuss and practice how to behave while out in the community, as well as opportunities for role-playing.

  • Sensory Needs: Assess and determine possible sensory needs and provide alternative outlets to address these needs. Teach student how to identify sensory needs and how to appropriately request sensory needs.

  • Daily Living Skills: Work on building independence in daily living skills, brushing teeth; hygiene, dressing, eating, bath rooming, schedules, responsibilities (depending on age), chores, and etc

    • Life and Job Skills Training

    Cognitive Solutions is offering life and job skills training for individuals with developmental disabilities who lack independent functioning skills. Our specialized program has been developed by a certified Rehabilitation Psychologist with a Masters Degree in Special Education, and serves to extend our in-clinic services to the home setting.

    The individualized programs will be focused on the development of daily life skills, and include a home visit to develop independent functioning boards. These boards will allow any person to follow a daily routine from morning until night. The boards are custom made to fit each individuals needs. For example, a picture board is available that shows a persons daily morning routine from the time they get up until the time they leave their home. These pictures are taken of the individual engaging in daily activities and routines. These boards are made to be followed by the individual as they go about their day. Our rehabilitation psychologist will come to the house to observe the routine or put one in place; take pictures, create a custom board, and then implement the board. There will be follow up sessions offered to check in and ensure smooth functioning within the routine.

    This program also offers individualized job coaching. Job coaching helps adults with developmental disorders work while shadowed by a coach until he or she is capable of doing the job independently. Creating custom job boards similar to the home boards is an efficient and useful way to teach each individual the job skills/routines they are going to be responsible for. Our therapist will visit the workplace, shadow the individual, and assist in the development of work skills and a work related routine.

    PECS Training


    The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed in 1985 as a unique augmentative/ alternative training package that teaches children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate communication. First used at the Delaware Autistic Program, PECS has received worldwide recognition for focusing on the initiation component of communication. PECS does not require complex or expensive materials. It was created with educators, resident care providers and families in mind, and so it is readily used in a variety of settings.

    PECS begins with teaching a student to exchange a picture of a desired item with a “teacher”, who immediately honors the request. The training protocol is based on B.F. Skinner’s book, Verbal Behavior so that functional verbal operants are systematically taught using prompting and reinforcement strategies that will lead to independent communication Verbal prompts are not used, thus building immediate initiation and avoiding prompt dependency. The system goes on to teach discrimination of symbols and then how to put them all together in simple sentences. In the most advanced Phases, individuals are taught to comment and answer direct questions. Many preschoolers using PECS also begin developing speech.

    PECS certified staff at Cognitive Solutions Learning Center will be providing one-on-one sessions for people with varying language barriers. These sessions provide the opportunity to learn how to communicate with pictures. Each person will move through the six phases at an individual pace. Sessions could involve assistance from guardians to help better carry over communication into the home and various environments.

    For more information, please contact Dr. Sam Effarah at:
    2409 N. Clybourn Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60614
    (773) 755-1775
    email: info@cognitivesolutionslc.com