CAYR Connections

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CAYR Connections Dedicated to improving access to neuro-affirming care in the greater Chicago area.

Looking for something for your child to do next Friday while D97 is closed for parent-teacher conferences? We've got you...
10/14/2026

Looking for something for your child to do next Friday while D97 is closed for parent-teacher conferences? We've got you covered! 💜

CAYR Camp will be open Friday, October 23, for a fun-filled day of play, creativity, and connection!

Our small-group, neurodiversity-affirming program gives kids the freedom to explore their interests, build friendships, and enjoy a day off from school in a supportive environment.

📅 Friday, October 23 | 9 AM–3 PM
📍 CAYR Connections - River Forest Civic Center (2nd Floor)
👧 Grades K–5
💲 Sliding scale financial assistance available

Whether your child is new to CAYR or has joined us before, we'd love to welcome them!

Register here: https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/NU83lBdyvbmfHRp7Nnjb

This fall, help CAYR Co-op turn the page. 📖We’re launching a fundraiser to help expand CAYR Co-op into a five-day neuro-...
10/14/2026

This fall, help CAYR Co-op turn the page. 📖

We’re launching a fundraiser to help expand CAYR Co-op into a five-day neuro-affirming microschool beginning in January 2027.

Right now, CAYR Co-op meets three days per week. Moving to five days will make the program more accessible for families who cannot independently homeschool two additional days each week, while giving our students more consistency, more time together, and more opportunities to learn.

Your support will also help us expand individualized literacy instruction, including one-on-one support, specialized training, and accessible literacy resources for a wide range of learners, including students who AAC.

Because every child deserves a place where they can feel understood, supported, and excited to learn.

Help us reach $30,000 by December 31 so we can begin this next chapter in January!

💛 Here's the link to donate or share! https://cayrconnections.betterworld.org/campaigns/cayr-next-chapter

☕ Coffee for you, playtime for them! 🧸Looking for a low-pressure way to get out of the house, meet other families, and l...
10/12/2026

☕ Coffee for you, playtime for them! 🧸

Looking for a low-pressure way to get out of the house, meet other families, and let your little one play? Come hang out with us at the CAYR Play Café! 💛

Designed for 3-5 year olds and their grown-ups, Play Café is a welcoming, neuro-affirming space where kids can explore, play, and connect at their own pace while caregivers enjoy coffee, tea, and a little community of their own.

✨ Open-ended, child-led play
☕ Coffee, tea, and Wi-Fi for grown-ups
🌈 All brains, bodies, and ways of playing welcome
💛 No potty training required!

Space is limited! Register here: https://www.cayrconnections.org/event-details-registration/play-cafe-2026-10-15-09-30

It was wonderful to connect with so many -affirming professionals from across the area on Tuesday.💛Thank you to every...
10/04/2026

It was wonderful to connect with so many -affirming professionals from across the area on Tuesday.💛

Thank you to everyone who came to connect, share resources, meet new people, and help us continue building a stronger network of providers in our region.

And yes, we remembered to take a couple of photos… eventually 😅 Tag yourself, everyone!

Missed this one, or already ready for the next? Save the date for our next Neurodiversity-Affirming Professionals Networking Night: Thursday, January 28, 2027! ✨

Register for the next night using the , or join our email list using the form at the bottom of our website to stay in the loop about future events and CAYR happenings.

A day at CAYR Co-op ✨ There’s a rhythm to our days, but plenty of room for flexibility, curiosity, movement, creativity,...
09/28/2026

A day at CAYR Co-op ✨ There’s a rhythm to our days, but plenty of room for flexibility, curiosity, movement, creativity, and following where kids’ interests lead.

A typical day might include:
🌿 a flexible arrival and time to settle in
🧠 hands-on learning and projects
🥪 chatting over lunch
🌳 outdoor play, movement, and exploration
🎨 creative projects (like stop-motion animation!)
💛 time to wrap up, reflect, and transition home

At CAYR Co-op, learning doesn’t have to look one particular way. We’re creating a small, neurodiversity-affirming community where kids can learn, play, connect, regulate, create, and come as they are.

CAYR Co-op meets Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in River Forest for kids ages 5–12. Families can choose the days that work for them, and sliding-scale tuition is available.

Learn more at https://www.cayrconnections.org/co-op

Want to see the space and meet our team? Email [email protected] or call 708-665-4557 to schedule an in-person or virtual tour!

We’re excited to share the very first issue of the CAYR Connections quarterly newsletter!This inaugural edition was a jo...
09/28/2026

We’re excited to share the very first issue of the CAYR Connections quarterly newsletter!

This inaugural edition was a joint effort between CAYR Connections and the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club, our program for ND adults. It includes updates from our programs, highlights from the CNSC community, resources, reflections, and more (scroll down for the link!)

For now, we printed a limited edition of 250 copies, and the newsletter is mostly being shared digitally rather than mailed. However, we’re collecting mailing addresses from anyone who would like to receive future editions the old-fashioned way. 📬 If you’d like the next newsletter delivered via “snail mail,” you can join our mailing list by emailing your name and address to [email protected]

We’re also currently seeking sponsors for our December issue. Sponsors will help support the cost of producing the newsletter and will have the opportunity to include a small advertisement in the publication. Email [email protected] to learn more!

Follow this link to take a look at our first issue: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/763c5b03d6.html /1

🎶 NEW THIS FALL: Friday Music & Movement Group at CAYR!We’re partnering with Dynamic Lynks, a local neuro-affirming musi...
09/22/2026

🎶 NEW THIS FALL: Friday Music & Movement Group at CAYR!

We’re partnering with Dynamic Lynks, a local neuro-affirming music therapy practice, for a 6-week after school music group at our River Forest location. Kids will have space to make music, explore rhythm and movement, get creative, and connect with others — with plenty of flexibility for different communication styles, sensory needs, and ways of participating.

📅 Fridays, October 16 – November 20
⏰ 4:00 – 4:45 PM
📍 8020 Madison Street, River Forest
💛 $240 for the 6-week session ($40/week)
👥 Small group — maximum 10 participants
🚸 Ages 5 to 10

We need at least 5 participants to get the group started, so early registration really helps!

🎵 Come make some music with us! Register at https://tr.ee/qlpXTn

Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and community at CAYR Connections!Our quarterly networking night is ...
09/17/2026

Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and community at CAYR Connections!

Our quarterly networking night is for professionals across disciplines who are committed to neuro-affirming work, including therapists, educators, healthcare professionals, coaches, consultants, advocates, nonprofit professionals, and others whose work impacts neurodivergent people and neurodiverse families.

Come meet new people, exchange resources, and grow your neuro-affirming professional network. No formal presentation, just plenty of time to connect, plus light refreshments. Drop in anytime between 6:30-8 PM!

🔗 RSVP at www.cayrconnections.org/event-details-registration/neuro-affirming-professionals-networking-night

This summer gave us a lot to reflect on. 💛CAYR Camp reminded us that some of the things that matter most for kids can lo...
09/15/2026

This summer gave us a lot to reflect on. 💛

CAYR Camp reminded us that some of the things that matter most for kids can look deceptively simple: time to play, room to move, adults who can stay flexible, relationships that support regulation, opportunities to explore, and spaces where kids don’t have to spend all day trying to fit themselves into someone else’s expectations.

We learned a lot from our campers this summer, too. Sometimes the plan needs to change. Sometimes the crash pad is exactly what’s needed. Sometimes the dance party is the important part of the day.

As we move into the fall, we’re carrying those lessons with us and continuing to build spaces where kids can be curious, connected, supported, and fully themselves.

CAYR Co-op is now underway, and we’re continuing the spirit of CAYR Camp throughout the school year with afterschool programming and Days-Off-School.

Learn more about our fall programs and upcoming opportunities at www.cayrconnections.org

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River Forest, IL

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