The same day a new Lake County therapy clinic for children with autism held its grand opening in Libertyville, the Centers for Disease Control updated its webpage, asserting a widely disputed connection between vaccines and autism, highlighting the challenges facing families, researchers and service providers even as autism awareness grows. A CDC webpage posted on Nov. 19 says health authorities have “ignored” studies supporting a link between vaccines and autism, and that the statement “vaccines do not cause autism” is “not an evidence-based claim.” The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has reportedly launched a “comprehensive assessment” of the causes of autism, On Nov. 19, Samantha Browne, clinic director for Caravel Autism Health in Libertyville, celebrated the new therapy clinic’s grand opening, promising a range of services for young children with autism. Caravel is a provider of applied behavior analysis therapy, which aims to improve communication and social skills, particularly for young children in Caravel’s case. The clinic mimics a preschool, with classrooms, play spaces and an outdoor playground. Browne said children will typically come in daily through the week, and specialists will help prepare them for school to require the least amount of support possible. Early access to therapy can mean big improvements for youngsters with autism, she said. “I know that can be really scary, touching base with us and getting either a diagnosis or early intervention therapy,” she said. “All of that can only help.” Mike Miller, CEO of Caravel Autism Health, said it has several locations in the region, and about 65 around the country. Children will spend anywhere from 15 to 25 hours a week at the center, getting prepared for school with their peers. Miller described autism treatment as a “relatively new field” within healthcare, and said there has been a lack of access to care for many children. Perceptions around autism have changed “dramatically” in the last 20 years, he said. “People are much more accepting of autism, and kids with autism are now assimilated in classrooms,” Miller said. “Families are much more accepted in their communities.” Elizabeth Norton is an associate professor of communication sciences and disorders at Northwestern University, with a PhD in child study and human development, studying early identification of autism and other childhood language and reading disorders. She said applied behavior analysis (ABA) is not the only approach available for autism therapy, and different approaches can be more effective depending on the specific child. But in general, identifying and supporting children with autism when they’re young is beneficial. Toddlerhood and early childhood is a “very important time” for children to build their language and social interaction skills, Norton said. “This is the time when children’s brains are most ready to learn language, especially through back-and-forth interactions with caregivers,” she said. Identifying autism early gives parents the “broadest and most effective options for how they want to support their child,” Norton said, and supports or interventions are most effective with young children, when their brains are most malleable. But getting those services or support isn’t always easy, she said, taking lots of time and energy from families, something that can be eased by more service providers close to families’ homes. Having different therapy options available is also important, she said. Caravel’s ABA approach will be effective for some children, depending on their areas of strength and need, Norton said. CDC webpage Norton said awareness of autism, and the importance of identifying it early, have improved over the years. While child autism diagnoses have risen in recent decades, she said scientists attribute that to the greater awareness, rather than a change in factors that may cause autism. Speaking as a researcher, Norton said she was concerned about the public receiving accurate, science-backed information on the causes of autism and ways to support people with autism. The change to the CDC’s stance on vaccines and autism including the new webpage drawing a link between vaccines and autism is concerning to her. “For a long time, scientists and doctors have been fighting the misinformation that autism is caused by vaccines,” Norton said. “It isn’t.” She warned against the current administration’s connection between Tylenol and autism, as well as the fast-tracking of leucovorin, a version of folic acid, as a drug for autism. “Families should discuss these questions with their pediatricians, who have extensive experience and knowledge in these areas,” Norton said. Despite national headlines and the political climate, Miller sees a silver lining, pointing to the growing awareness. Attention means more research dollars, finding new treatments and improving access. “If it discourages families from pursuing treatment, that’s not a good thing,” Miller said. “But I’m generally optimistic.”.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/libertyville-caravel-autism-health/
Libertyville autism clinic opens as vaccine debate intensifies
