Services for Teens & Their Families

AANE (the Asperger’s Association of New England) serves parents of teens with Asperger Syndrome (AS), High-Functioning Autism (HFA), Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), or Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD or NVLD). We also serve the teachers and other professionals who work with this population.

AANE Information Line: Stephanie Loo, AANE’s Director of Teen Services, is also the parent of a young adult college student with AS. Parents may call her at any time, and as often as necessary, for information, support, or referrals to help in raising a teen with Asperger Syndrome.

Families with very limited budgets may request a one-year dues scholarship, and may also contact AANE to enquire about our family grants.

Our extensive teen information packet includes our Family Networking List, our 90-page book An Introduction to Asperger Syndrome: Information for Families of Children and Adolescents, a special section on college, and one on alternative schools, driver education, Stephanie’s article Tips for Parents of Teens with Asperger Syndrome and AANE’s wallet disclosure card.

AANE members also receive two issues a year of the AANE Journal and a monthly e-newsletter listing upcoming events.

Members who live in New England can also join our on-line support group for parents of teens, which Stephanie moderates. Members who live close enough are welcome to attend one of our monthly face-to-face parent support groups (Watertown, MA; Reading, MA; Portland, ME; new group soon in Plymouth County, MA). Please contact Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf if you are interested in helping to start a new support group in your area; we can help with training, speakers, and materials.

AANE families who wish to host a small house party for teens and parents may contact Stephanie for help with planning and invitations.

At AANE, we feel that parents and teachers learning about AS is key to teens’ success. AANE members receive discounted admission to our conferences and other educational events.

  • Every year we offer Asperger Connections, a full one or two day fall conference with top experts in Asperger Syndrome.
  • Every month we offer Understanding Asperger Syndrome, a one-evening class for parents whose children have recently been diagnosed.
  • Every other month we offer a one-session class on Advocating for Your Child with AS in the Public Schools.
  • Several times throughout the year we offer the two-day seminar “What Can I Say?” “What Did You Say?” Using Language to Teach Social Skills.
  • We also offer classes on parenting, and classes on promoting your child’s success in school.
  • In 2007-2008, special workshops for parents of teens included:
    • Annual College Panel
    • Transition Planning for Teens with AS
    • Destination Adulthood: Success through Self-Knowledge (parent/teen workshop)
    • Turing 18: Legal Issues & Applying for SSI Eligibility
    • Bullying and Teasing with Nick Dubin
    • Annual Matthew Dandurand Memorial Lecture for teens in Western Massachusetts.
    • Workshops in Western Mass in collaboration with Community Resources for People with Autism.