The Place Where Progress Feels Like Play

I was talking to a friend of mine, and he mentioned he was on the board of an amazing organization that helps kids. I had to find out more!

As a parent, making sure your children are ok, is constantly on your mind. And the earlier you can receive services, the better. That is why The Place for Children with Autism (a.k.a. The Place) is so important.

When I was speaking with Megan Leinonen, Director of Marketing & Outreach, the passion for her work and the organization poured out. “Having a child on the spectrum really drew me to this work. I know firsthand, The Place does an outstanding job of helping children.”

On paper, it’s a center-based ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program. In real life, it feels like a preschool with purpose—structured, joyful, and designed so kids learn through play while building the skills they need for school and life.

Walk in on a typical day and you’ll see one-to-one learning happening everywhere. A child practicing requests with a therapist at eye level. Small circle time with songs, turn-taking, and routines. Visual schedules, quiet corners for regulation, and little celebrations when a skill “clicks.” Megan said, “It looks like play because kids learn best when they feel safe, seen, and successful.”

That’s all incredibly intentional. Each child has a plan overseen by a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). Therapists collect data on tablets throughout the day; supervisors review those trends weekly and adjust goals quickly. Progress isn’t a feeling, it’s measured. The Place operates many small centers with strong practices that are shared across locations, so families benefit from what works anywhere in the organization.

There are many things they do well, Megan commented, “There are two things we do particularly well, staff for quality and help with transitions back to school.”

1) Staff quality and environment size.Small centers, one-to-one therapists, and hands-on BCBA oversight aren’t buzzwords here, they’re the model. It lets The Place individualize care, respond in real time, and build a culture where kids are known deeply. That combination is a huge driver of successful outcomes.

2) Transitions that stick.Megan remarked, “The goal isn’t ABA forever. It’s the least restrictive environment as soon as a child is ready, ideally mainstream school.” That means practicing school routines (circle time, group work, independent tasks), building social skills organically, and partnering with districts and families. It also includes attending IEP meetings, shaping accommodations, and adjusting schedules as kids progress. The path isn’t linear, but the target is always growth with dignity and independence.

Of course, the clinical side is only half the story. Families are navigating insurance, waitlists, and a maze of acronyms, often while juggling jobs and siblings. In Illinois, where Medicaid access is limited and diagnostic wait times can drag, that load can feel impossible. Megan noted, “It can often take months or longer for your child to get evaluated.”

This is where The Place’s outreach team shows its heart. They start before families have everything “figured out.” They use free screeners to orient next steps, help parents explore ACA options when private insurance is needed, point to scholarships and grants, and—most importantly—translate the jargon into a plan. It’s advocacy by people who get it.

They’re also innovating to close gaps that slow families down:

• Co-treatment on site. Many centers now integrate speech-language pathologists for joint sessions with ABA therapists; they also partner with OT and PT. Kids don’t live in clinical silos—neither should therapy.

  
  

• In-house diagnostics. Long waits for an autism evaluation delay care. The Place is adding an internal diagnostic provider to streamline evaluations and reduce time from “concern” to “support.”

  
  

• Data as a feedback loop. Real-time data fuels weekly adjustments, informs family coaching, and spreads what works across all centers. It’s how small daily wins become durable gains.

  
  

If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably noticed the thread: dignity. This is evidence-based care; it’s operationally tight, but the piece that stayed with me is how deliberately they lower the temperature for parents. They validate the messiness. They stand next to families when systems are confusing. And they remember that the goal is not just skill acquisition—it’s a child who can join circle time, play with peers, eat lunch in a noisy cafeteria, and feel at home in their own life.

A few takeaways other organizations can borrow:

• Make progress tangible. Measure it daily. Share it weekly. Adjust fast.

• Design for the next environment. Teach to the classroom, the cafeteria, and the playground.

• Remove friction for families. Screeners, clear steps, insurance guidance—make the path obvious.

• Integrate care. When SLP/OT/PT and ABA collaborate, kids move faster.

• Lead with empathy. Expertise lands better when people feel heard.

  
  

Clarity and hope. The Place gives families both—one play-based routine, one school-ready skill, one calm handoff at a time.

If you’re a parent looking for direction, or a partner school/provider curious about their model, reach out to learn more. Early, thoughtful support changes a child’s trajectory—this is a team worth cheering on.

To learn more visit them online: https://theplaceforchildrenwithautism.com/

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I help nonprofits raise more money through education, coaching, and strategic planning. I also lead high-impact professional development, coaching programs, and retreats for companies of all sizes. If you’re ready to strengthen your fundraising strategy, turn board members into advocates, or build a comprehensive legacy giving program, let’s talk.