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Events & Activities Year Round!

Looking for fun ideas to make the most of your moments together? This page is continually updated and we're always looking to add more! Have an upcoming event? Email us at contact@vilijaba.com to let us know so we can add it! - For our curated ongoing list of events, please consider joining our Facebook Group.

  • Advocate & Awareness

  • Amusement Park


  • County & State Fair

  • Cruise

  • Holiday - Christmas

    Sensory Friendly Santa (Data current from 2022 - new dates TBD)

    • Santa's Naperville Workshop Special Needs Night (Riverwalk Cafe, Naperville, IL)
    • Holiday Express - Special Needs Night (Blackberry Farm, Aurora, IL)
    • Caring Santa (Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL)
    • Santa Cares Day (Northbrook Court, Northbrook, IL)
    • Santa Cares Day (Oakbrook Center, Oakbrook, IL)
    • Sensory Friendly Holiday Party with Santa and the Special Needs Mom Squad (Mistwood Golf Club, Romeoville, IL)
    • Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience (Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Rosemont, IL)
    • Sensory Santa (Hawthron Mall, Vernon Hills, IL)
    • All is Calm (Indiana Welcome Center, Hammond, IN)
    • Rockin' The Spectrum's Christmas Party (Villa Park)
  • Holiday - Fall

  • Holiday - Halloween

  • Misc Activities & Events

    • Sensory Friendly Blue Man Group (Chicago, IL) - September 24th 
    • Honey Bee Gardens (Downers Grove, IL) - The farm does host one event each year in May. For additional information including ongoing programs please click through the link.
    • Makery Studios (Plainfield, IL) - All sorts of sensory fun.
    • The Insect Asylum (Chicago, IL) - The Insect Asylum is a safe and welcoming space for people of all walks of life to explore natural history in all of its splendor. Whether by appointment or just walking in. We are excited to provide a safe and sensory sensitive space for our neighbors to use their eyes, hands and hearts to fall in love with the wonders of our world. 
    • Sloo Moo Institute (Chicago, IL)
  • Museum, Aquarium

    • DuPage Children's Museum (Naperville, IL) - Sunday August 13th (5:30-7:00PM), Sunday, September 24th (5:30-7:00PM), October 15, November 19, December 10
    • Kohl's Children's Museum (Glenview, IL) - Everyone at play occurs once a month from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Current scheduled dates include August 13, October 22, December 10, January 24, February 25, May 19, June 30. Check back or contact for up to date information.
    • The Field Museum (Chicago, IL) Their free mobile app helps families and groups—including visitors with autism and disabilities—plan their visit with resources like exhibition previews, customizable schedules, and a sensory-friendly museum map. Download the iOS or Android app for free.
    • Chicago Children's Museum (Chicago, IL)
    • Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, IL) - The aquarium also hosts the "Calm Waters" program for those with special needs and veterans.
    • Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, IL) Low-Sensory Mornings - tickets include exclusive early access to the museum from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and include general admission on the day of the ticket. The entire museum is altered to be more sensory-friendly until noon. Dates are announced at least one month in advance and can be confirmed via the events page.
    • Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago, IL) - September 24, 2023 - 10AM-11:30AM.
    • The Art Institute (Chicago, IL)
    • Discovery World (Milwaukee, WI)
    • Wonder Works Children's Museum (Oak Park, IL)
  • Movies

    • Studio Movie Grill (Various Locations)
    • AMC Sensory Friendly Movies (Various Locations) - Scroll to the bottom of the page - nearby locations at time of writing include Naperville, Yorktown, River East, Lake In The Hills, Northbrook Courth, New Lenox, Niles
    • Marcus Theater (Marcus Theatre - (Addison, Bloomington, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Elgin, Gurnee, Orland Park, IL) - Reel Movie for Real Needs event hosted monthly. Check the Marcus website for a list of running movies on Saturdays at 10:30AM.
    • Hollywood Boulevard (Woodridge, IL)
  • Playground, Park, Gym & Gardens

  • Theater

  • Water Park

  • Zoo

    • Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL) - Multiple events, programming, and acomodations are available.
    • Cosley Zoo (Wheaton, IL) Via partnership with KultureCity and Cosley Zoo, the zoo has been Certified Sensory Inclusive since 2019
    • Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL) - For specialized days search for Sensory Friendly at Farm in the Zoo
  • Parents & Caregivers

28 Jul, 2023
Every parent or caregiver wants to make an informed decision for their child. When searching for more information about ABA services it can be daunting to read about all the positive and negative experiences those who have received services have had. Vilij ABA is a neurodiverse affirming practice and while we can't speak to how others practice ABA, we can share how we operate. ABA therapy has evolved over the last six decades and some misconceptions continue to linger. Here are our top 5 misconceptions of ABA.
child with autism practicing daily skills
17 Jun, 2023
The team at Vilij shares how to promote the development of daily living skills and self-management in children with autism.
17 Jun, 2023
Want to help your child with autism during the summer break? Our latest blog has strategies to promote growth during summer break.
14 Jun, 2023
Summer is in full swing and that often means changes to schedules and more opportunities to bond with your child and share new experiences with them. We’re opening our book of ideas for the various age groups we work with. As you’re deciding which activities are most appropriate consider reaching out to your care team to tailor activities to the needs of your child and family.
18 Feb, 2023
Disclaimer: Insurance plans vary widely. The following is presented for information purposes only. You and your family should contact your insurance provider before relying on any information for care. For questions about services and coverage by Vilij ABA please call 1.603.777.2800.
By Alex Argianas 13 Feb, 2023
Have questions about ABA therapy? We have answers for you in our latest audio blog.
ASD holiday gathering autism
11 Dec, 2022
Summer vacations, spring break, or visits to relatives in the winter - it seems that there is always one special day or another coming up regardless of the month. “If I had to pick one take away that can have an affect on the neurodiverse populations we work with during holidays, that would be consistency,” shared Clinical Director Sumita Argianas, “do your best to maintain the routine and listen to your child’s input, everyone deserves to enjoy the holidays and with thoughtful planning, everyone can".
a new family navigating the field of ABA
21 Jul, 2022
You’ve received the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis for your child, you’ve checked with insurance, and you’ve come to understand just how comprehensive ABA can be. At Vilij, we want your experience with ABA to be a good one, even if you’re not with our team. Here are our top 13 considerations for families when searching for an ABA company that aligns with your family’s (and child’s needs).
a family with a child with autism
20 Jul, 2022
Parents spend the most time with their children and are often the first to suspect their child has ASD. Contact us at Vilij for support and resources.
02 Jul, 2022
Vilij ABA has earned preliminary accreditation with BHCOE.
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