Special Needs Fair Offers Insight into Services

More than 100 people stopped at Still Middle School on Tuesday night to learn about resources for children with special needs. The event drawing the crowd was the Indian Prairie District 204 Special Needs Resource Fair.

The event featured 56 vendors offering a variety of services, from speech and physical therapists to library and a Cub Scout pack for boys with special needs.

Lori Price, District 204 Special Needs PTA president, said the goal of the fair was to bring multiple resources under one roof for parents and educators who teach students with special needs. She was excited her group could offer the service, since there are more than 3,500 District 204 students who have individualized educational programs.

The response to the event was so strong that some vendors were unable to participate, said Wanda Malone, District 204 Special Needs PTA first vice president and fair organizer.

"The hardest thing to do was to turn these people away because we didn't have space," she said.

Mark Rising, of Aurora, organized last year's fair. As a parent of two children with individualized education programs, Rising was excited to see the growth in vendors and attendance.

"I'm amazed and humbled that so many people are out there helping people with special needs," Rising said. "It makes you proud as a parent of special-needs children."

Cherie Pardja, of Aurora, was attracted to the event because she learned about Cub Scout Pack 3. The pack was formed for boys with special needs.

"I've never heard of anything like this," Pardja said. "Boy Scouts for a 5-year-old with special needs is just great."

Vicki Jensen, a speech pathologist, was at the fair to gather resources for her clients. Jensen was impressed with Turning Pointe, a school for children with autism that is set to open in January 2011.

"This is great. There are some great new things coming," Jensen said. "This is so much bigger than I thought; there are so many vendors."

Price said she also was excited about the turnout because the event will help fund the PTA's Teacher Grant Program. Vendors paid to attend the event, and the proceeds will fund grants for a wide range of learning activities.

"A social worker may want to introduce a game that teaches children about sharing or taking turns," Price said. "The grant helps provide supplemental programs to the kids."

Fred Spitzzeri was happy to pay the fee to support the grant program. Spitzzeri, began his career as a school psychologist for children with special needs. He now works as a lawyer, assisting parents of special-needs children.

"Being an attorney, I'm able to help speak up for people who can't speak for themselves," Spitzzeri said. "It was my lifelong dream to get involved with special needs families again."