Support Networks for Adults Organization Service Description Address Contact Number Website / Email

Advocacy Helping parents learn skills to appropriately advocate 284 Washington Street, 203-535-4804 http://www.scowinc.org/ Academy for their families. Spanish Community of Wallingford Wallingford, CT 06492 Adults - Support Groups & Asperger/Autis Offers a variety of adult support groups and 51 Water Street, Suite 206, Community Connections m Network 617-393-3824 community connections program. Watertown, MA 02472 Sessions – The Asperger / (AANE) Autism Network (AANE) AANE offers a Life Management Assistance program (LifeMap) which is an intensive and individualized life coaching program for individuals with Asperger Asperger/Autis profiles. Services are offered to parts of Connecticut 51 Water Street, Suite 206, https://www.aane.org/resourc m Network 617-393-3824 and can be accessed in person or online. There are a Watertown, MA 02472 es/adults/lifemap-coaching/ (AANE) variety of LifeMap programs which include transition planning out of high school, life skills coaching or job finding assistance.

Offers a variety of social and recreational activities for Autism both youth with ASD and their families. The goals 600 North Moutain Road, http://www.autismfamiliesct.org/ Families of 860-474-3444 include creating a social environment, promoting Newington, CT 06111 programs/ Connecticut social skills, listening and communicating. Parents with children on the Autism Spectrum in Fairfield County, CT. Join us for a great evening out and meet other parents with children on the Autism Spectrum (Autism, PDD-NOS, Aspergers, Atypical Jose Tirado Crawford at Autism). Parents are encouraged to share stories, Patti Sylvia at 203-761- Autism [email protected] ; Patti Sylvia learn about area resources and events, discover 1 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 0248, or email at Parent's Club at 203-761-0248, or email at different interventions and learn to advocate for their [email protected] [email protected] child from other experienced parents. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month at Zios Italian Restaurant located at 1 Danbury Road in Wilton, Connecticut. Autism Offers support groups, workshops, trainings and Services & 101 North Plains Industrial other educational opportunities for adults and teens Resources Road, Harvest Park, 203-265-7717 www.ct-asrc.org with Autism Spectrum Disorders meets monthly (in Connecticut Wallingford, CT 06492 Wallingford and Middletown) (ASRC) The Autism Response Team (ART)is an information line for the autism community. Our team members https://www.autismspeaks.org Autism Speaks are specially trained to provide personalized locations vary 1-888-288-4762 /about-us information and resources to people with autism and their families. Grief and Bereavement Resources- Resources to help https://www.autismspeaks.org/gri Autism Speaks n/a 1-888-288-4762 support you or your child while experiencing grief ef-and-bereavement-resources

Offers tips and guidance to parents and caregivers https://www.autismspeaks.org/au Autism Speaks related to identifying and/or creating a support n/a 1-888-288-4762 tism-and-your-family system after a child has been diagnosed with Autism

Autism Speaks: My Autism Team. An online social Autism Speaks network for parent of kids with Autism. Offers n/a 1-888-288-4762 https://www.myautismteam.com/ support and resource information from parents. BESTBUDDIES® builds one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), through school and community friendship programs that provide Best Buddies 175 Capital Blvd, Suite 402, Home - Best Buddies socialization opportunities to help erase the invisible 203-234-3996 CT Rocky Hill, CT 06067 International line that often separates students or adults with and without IDD. Friendship programs include Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, and e-Buddies. 101 Southeast Second Best Buddies e-Buddies promotes social inclusion online for people https://www.bestbuddies.org/wh Street, Suite 2200 Miami, 1-305-374-2233 CT with intellectual and developmental disabilities at-we-do/ebuddies/ FL 33131 Online support group and educational resources for Beyond My those individuals with serious illness, rare disease, 112 W Circular St, Saratoga (518) 328-4939 www.beyondmybattle.org Battle and disabilities. Support is also available for Springs, NY 12866 caregivers. Offers Helping Each Other Succeed cross-disability support groups in the following towns: Shelton; Derby; Ansonia; Seymour; Bethany; New Haven; East Haven; Hamden; North Haven; Wallingford; Durham; Center for Meriden; Southington; Middlefield; Middletown; 369 Highland Street, West Disability 203-934-7077 ext. 12 http://cdr-ct.org/ North Branford; Branford; Guilford; Old Saybrook; Haven, CT 06516 Rights Killingworth; Deep River; Chester; Haddam; East Haddam; East Hampton; and Portland. Meeting times vary monthly, call for dates and time.

Provides care coordination services to assist families in connecting and building supports for their children who have serious mental/behavioral health various collaboratives various collaboratives Connecting to challenges. A referral can be made by a community throughout the state- throughout the state- connectingtocarect.org Care agency or a self-referral from a family. Care please visit the website please visit the website coordination supports are intended for youth up to the age of 18 or older if still in school. Circle of Friends is a volunteer organization that reaches out to children, teens and young adults with special needs in Fairfield County, CT and involves them in a full array of inclusive, social experiences. Our innovative Circle of 40 King Street, Norwalk, CT programming of home visits, play dates 203-866-0534 www.circleoffreidndsct.org Friends 06851 and social interactions, is designed to foster a relationship between children, teens and young adults with special needs and community teenage and young adult volunteers. Call for more information on the Circle of Friends and other events. Circle of hope Parents - This is a group for parents who have children with Greater behavioral health needs who want to network and 583-585 East Main St, Audra Holmes-Greene Bridgeport n/a receive support. When: Every Wednesday from 6:00 Bridgeport, CT 06608 203-999-6063 Community PM- 7:00 PM Resource Collaborative Provides support to mothers/guardians who are in need of friendship, support, guidance, connection to resources, and prosocial family focused activities. Vicki White, 860-221- United Methodist Church Father's are invited. Contact facilitator for 4856 ; https://www.facebook.com/cir Circle of Moms on Grove Street, Vernon, information. Meetings held on Wednesdays. Anytime circleofmomsvernon@ cleofmomsvernonct/ CT there is a meeting, diner is provided. During the gmail.com pandemic, the meetings have been held at Henry Park in Vernon or virtually. Marne Street Clinic offers comprehensive care Clifford Beers 41 Marne Street, New including parent support groups and social skills 203-691-9383 www.cliffordbeers.org Guidance Clinic Hamden, CT 06513 groups for children and siblings. Community Autism Socials at Yale (Project CASY) is a university-organized, online, and local community of Community individuals living with autism, and the families, 230 S Frontage Rd, Rm G- https://www.meetup.com/Project Autism Social friends, and professionals involved in their lives. The 130 203-927-3970 CASY/ at Yale (CASY) main purpose is to promote a high quality of life for New Haven, CT 06519-1124 individuals living with autism. In person meetings typically occurr weekly. Call for more information. Community Clifford Beers Clinic- 93 Carmen- 203-954-5050 Project CASY hosts a variety of activities for personal https://www.meetup.com/Project Autism Social Edwards Street, New or Monica- 540-429- development and community fun. CASY/ at Yale (CASY) Haven, CT 06511 5367 Support groups for young people and adults with Community developmental disabilities meet weekly. Provide 61 East Putnam Avenue, 203-869-1276 http://ccigreenwich.org/ Centers, Inc. support in a group environment and group members Greenwich, CT 06830 can seek out counseling. Connecticut Offers many support groups, both in person, over the Family Support phone, and online. Support groups allow individuals 377 Hubbard Street #1, 1-877-376-2329 http://www.ctfsn.org/ Network to network, gain access to resources and learn from Glastonbury, CT 06033 (CTFSN) guest speakers.

Support groups for parents and families of children Connecticut with special needs can be an excellent source of Parent information, resources and of course, support. CPAC 338 Main Street, Niactic CT http://www.cpacinc.org/helpfu 860-739-3089 Advocacy helps connect parents to groups in their area. View 06357 l-resources/parent-support/ Center (CPAC) the links for information about finding a support group in your area or starting a parent support group. CT Families for Effective An online forum where many hundreds of P.O. Box 370352, West contact via email http://www.ctfeat.org/listservrule Autism Connecticut families share information and support. Hartford, CT 06137 [email protected] s.htm Treatment (CT FEAT) This is a group for parents who want to network and Destiny make effective changes within their community. 1st & 50 Chapman Place, East 860-726-3646 n/a Outreach 3rd Tuesday of every month from 4-6 p.m. East Hartford, CT 06108 Hartford Cultural Center, East Hartford, CT

The Family Peer Support Program provides direct Family peer support services to families with children who Advocacy have medical, mental, or behavioral health 185 Silas Deane Highway 860-563-3232 www.favor-ct.org Program challenges. Our Family Peer Support Specialists assist Wethersfield, CT 06109 (FAVOR) families who need to navigate the special education and mental health care service systems Provides support to families of children with special Susan Hostnik, 860-822- needs as well as their typical siblings by providing Family Friendly 34 East Town Street, 4335 & Christie monthly opportunities for free outings. Every 3rd n/a Event Norwich, CT 06360 Beausoleil, 860-861- Friday evening or Saturday of the month. 1100

Agency offers monthly support groups for parents of children with autism which are open to the public. 326 Albany Turnpike, FOCUS Center https://focuscenterforautism.o Free childcare is provided for children and their Suite 2A, PO Box 452, 860-693-6127 for Autism rg/parent-support/ siblings 5 years of age or older. Virtual support groups Canton, CT 06019 are also available. Charitable organization advocates for appropriate Friends of services for adults with ASD throughout the lifespan. 974 North Street, http://www.autisticadults.com 203-661-8510 Autistic People Organization offers parent workshops and music Greenwich, CT / therapy. The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership was created to improve the lives of adults 369 Lexington Avenue, 2nd GRASP and teens on the autism spectrum through 1-888-474-7277 https://grasp.org/ fl, New York, NY 10017 community outreach, online support, education, and advocacy. Membership is free. Independence Unlimited Youth Transitions Project increases the participation of youth with disabilities 151 New Park Ave., https://www.independenceunli Independence and their parents in the process of planning for their North Annex suite D, 860-523-5021 mited.org/index.php/our- Unlimited transition into adulthood. This includes self advocacy, Hartford, CT 06106 programs/youth-transitions skills training, service linkage and outreach.

Offers various support groups such as substance abuse education, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender support, Autism Spectrum support, Mental Illness support, support services, and resources. Support Institute of 200 Retreat Avenue, programs are provided for those in need, their family 860-545-7665 Hartford Living Hartford, CT 06106 members, and caregivers. Visit the website below for a complete list of support group locations, times and contact information. A support group for grandparents raising children with behavioral health challenges. First Tuesday of It takes a 233 Retreat Avenue, Raleigh Leggett, 860- the month 11-12 p.m. Virtual supports may be n/a Village Hartford, CT 639-6752 available.

Kennedy The Autism Project's respite groups and specialty 2440 Reservoir Avenue, http://www.thekennedycenteri Center Autism programs provide opportunities for children, teens 203-365-8522 Trumbull,CT 06611 nc.org/ Project and young adults with Autism to engage with others.

Litchfield LACASA ensures that individuals with ASD have access County Autism PO Box 2026 Torrington CT to local services, supports and recreational activities. 86-693-9128 www.autismsupportct.com Spectrum 06790 Ongoing activities include parents support groups. Association

free social network for parents of kids with autism. With over 30,000 parents registered on the site, you can find parents just like you based on where you live, the age of your child, your child's sub-diagnosis and developmental needs, and gender. Parents share MyAutism tips, support, and photos, as well as ask and answer https://www.myautismteam.c n/a n/a Team each others' questions. In addition, there is a om/ searchable provider directory of over 35,000 autism specialists and autism-friendly providers constantly updated by parents on the site. MyAutismTeam is the official social network and resource guide for Autism Speaks.

Provides parents with a safe, comfortable environment to vent their frustrations, challenges, fears, knowledge and positive experiences with other The Summit at Plantsville, Carrie Foligno & Lori Next Steps 1 parents in the Southington area. Group meets every 261 Summitt St, Plantsville, n/a Powell, 860-302-6543 4th Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m. No CT 06479 groups being held in the months June-August. Monthly support groups for parents, grandparents and other caregivers of children diagnosed with high- functioning autism (formerly Asperger's Syndrome). 860-395-3190 or Old Saybrook Since the pandemic, the group has met via zoom on 322 Main Street Old Joanne Deal at www.oldsaybrookct.gov/youth- Youth and the 2nd Thursday of each month and the following Saybrook, CT 06475 joannebakerdeal@gma and-family-services Family Services Wednesday of the week. Once in-person meetings il.com resume, group meets twice on the 2nd Thursday of each month (afternoon and evening)

https://researchautism.org/ho w-we-help/families/sibling- Offers guides designed for parents and young support/?utm_source=OARacle children/teenagers of siblings with autism. The Organization +Newsletter+Subscribers&utm resources aim to provide support to both parents and 2000 N. 14th Street, Suite for Autism (866) 366-9710 _campaign=d84344ba39- siblings, answer autism-related questions or 300 Arlington, VA 22201 Research concerns, and tips to help facilitate these EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_ relationships. 18_03_42&utm_medium=emai l&utm_term=0_132914a232- d84344ba39-171428105

This is a support group for Spanish-speaking parents of children with special needs to learn about special Contact: Miozotis n/a Padres Unidos education and advocacy, share concerns and ideas, Galarza, (203) 240-2467 n/a and learn about resources. Call to inquire about future meetings. Support group for Hispanic parents/caregivers of children with special needs meets on the third Padres Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm. Professionals and Workspace, 903 Main http://padresabriendopuerta.w Abriendo others who are interested in learning more about Street, Manchester, CT 860-809-1194 ix.com/pap-website Puertas raising a child with special needs are welcome to 06040 attend. There is also an online support groups that is available. Parents Supporting Each Other: A support and information group for parents of via zoom until further Sponsored by children, youth and young adults navigating their notice: Normally held at Lisa Girard : 860-333- Community behavioral health. Meetings held via zoom from 6pm- n/a United Services, 1007 N 7127 Raising 7pm on every first Wednesday of the month. Main St., Dayville, CT 06341 Children, the Northeast System of Care Waterford Country School Parents For parents of children with behavioral health needs. Safe Home; 947 Vauxhaul Josephine Suarez, 860- Supporting Childcare and refreshments available. 1st Thursday of n/a Street Extension, 857-2232 Families every month from 6:30pm to 8pm. Waterford, CT 235 Schilling Circle, Suite Pathfinders for A Maryland-based website offering “Parent Tips” https://pathfindersforautism.o 103, Hunt Valley, MD 443-330-5370 Autism articles on a variety of topics rg/ 21031 https://raisingchildren.net.au/auti Provides some ideas for building supportive Raisingchildren sm/communicating- relationships with the your extended family and n/a n/a .net.au relationships/family- friends relationships/family-friends-asd Spanish Support groups help parents learn skills to 284 Washington Street, Community of 203-265-5866 http://www.scowinc.org/ appropriately advocate for their families. Wallingford, CT 06492 Wallingford Agency runs events and activities in the Greater Sun, Moon & Watertown area. Also offers support groups for P.O. Box 563, Watertown, https://www.sunmoonandstars.or 203-510-9931 Stars, Inc. parents with children on the spectrum at no cost. CT 06795 g/ Virtual platforms are being offered. a non profit focused on increasing autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion in Torrington and Northwestern Connecticut. We offer monthly autism Torrington support group meetings every first Monday of the Area Families month at 6 PM via Zoom during the pandemic and we 314 Main Street, 860-482-9364 www.TAFAInc.org for Autism offer monthly parent information/ training sessions Torrington, CT 06790 (TAFA) every second Thursday of the month at 6 PM via Zoom during the pandemic. We are also slowly re- introducing social events/ outings or our families which can all be found on our website

Information Specialist are available to help individuals 1825 K Street NW, Suite The Arc Autism https://autismnow.org/what- on the spectrum and their families by providing 1200 Washington, DC 1-855-828-8476 Now we-do/call-center/ education, resources and support. 20006 The Local System of Care, Parent Support Group is for Viola Waldo at West Haven parents, guardians, care givers, family members, and City Hall, 355 Main Street, [email protected] http://www.mywhinc.org/whp Parent Support friends of children with various special needs. Child West Haven, CT 06516 or Theresa Andriulli at arentsupportgrp.htm Group care is available. Group meets the 2nd Monday of 203-506-3816 each month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Wrong Planet is the web community designed for autistic individuals (and parents / professionals of those) with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences. We provide Wrong Planet a discussion forum, where members communicate n/a n/a https://wrongplanet.net/ with each other, an article section, with exclusive articles and how-to guides, a blogging feature, and more.

Support Group for Parents and Grandparents of Children Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome / High- Youth and 322 Main Street Old https://www.oldsaybrookct.go Functioning Autism. Support groups meet twice a (860) 395-3190 Family Services Saybrook, CT 06475 v/youth-and-family-services month and focus on specific topics which range from dealing with meltdowns to special education issues. Updated 8/20/2021 Nate C