Amanda Meyer
Program Coordinator
708.497.9975
[email protected]

​​Amy Pinkston
Program Coordinator
708.482.1152
[email protected]

​​Sandy Nichin
Administrative Assistant
708.482.1156
[email protected]

Nicole Brown
LADSE West 
Administrative Assistant
708.512.4956
[email protected]

LADSE LINC

Program Overview

LADSE LINC is a comprehensive special education program designed for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade who present with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Students are referred to LINC through IEP team recommendation after careful consideration of student needs.  By intentionally combining the foundational components, specialized staff, and evidence-based frameworks of the former Communication Development (CD) and Multi-Needs (MN) programs, LADSE LINC establishes a unified continuum of instruction tailored to address needs while building on student strengths. The core mission is dual-focused: empowering students to maximize their Learning and Independence while simultaneously Nurturing deep, lasting social Connections within their educational and local communities.

Core Methodologies & Educational Pillars
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The LADSE LINC curriculum synthesizes best practices from both legacy programs to create an immersive, highly structured learning environment tailored to complex learning profiles.

• LEARNING: Direct instruction curricula, structured teaching principles, and comprehensive behavioral supports tailored to each student in order to promote academic and functional progress.  A focus is placed on helping students to acquire knowledge, skills, and understanding that engages curiosity and utilizes strengths and interests.
• INDEPENDENCE: Daily routines embed opportunities for students to build self-advocacy, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.  In early grades, this could mean taking responsibility for your own materials and completing tasks in the classroom. Older students will be working on pre-vocational skills and navigating their community to build self-reliance and autonomy.
• NURTURING: A student-centered approach where individual differences are celebrated is central to the LINC program philosophy.  It is the responsibility of the LINC team to promote emotional and physical safety for each student in order to maximize trust and engagement.
• CONNECTIONS: The LINC program strives to build connections for our students in numerous ways - from building relationships with peers and adults in the classroom and school to the larger community.  Collaboration between families and the LINC team fosters these connections.

Instructional Settings & Program Supports

LADSE LINC operates in two types of special education settings:  Satellite Classrooms and LADSE West.  Students are grouped in age and grade bands based on ISBE guidelines as well as student characteristics.  LADSE Satellite classroom locations are dependent on host district space availability and may change from year to year.

Transdisciplinary Classroom Team

Every LADSE LINC classroom operates with a high staff-to-student ratio and a collaborative transdisciplinary team to meet the needs of our students.  Our related services are provided through an integrated model where professionals collaborate to deliver direct services to students in the school setting.

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Program Supports

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