AANE Support & Social Groups: Parents of Children

AANE Sponsored Groups

AANE Home Office — Watertown, MA
51 Water Street, Suite 206; Watertown, MA 02472

Parents of School-Age Children — 7:00 - 9:00pm
September 26, 2011: Behavior: Is it Asperger Syndrome or Neurotypical?
October 24, 2011: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure
December 5, 2011: Holidays and Vacations with Family and Friends
February 13, 2012: Siblings
April 10, 2012: Transitioning to a New School or Program
May 7, 2012: Practical Strategies for Dealing with Chronic Stress
Parent-to-parent networking will follow the topic discussion at 8:30.
To register, contact Brenda Dater, Director of Children’s Services
(617) 393-3824x22 or

Andover, MA — Parents Support Group
For parents of elementary school age children
3rd Thursday of each month, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
South Church, 41 Central Street (the white church with the tall steeple)
Andover, MA

The purpose of the meetings is to facilitate meaningful discussion among parents, exchange helpful information, and share resources. Occasionally, speakers are invited.

For further information, contact Niki Wilson at 978-658-4437 or .

Newburyport, MA area — Parents of School-Age Children
2nd Monday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Higgins Conference Room, Anna Jaques Hospital
Group Leader: Suzanne Phillips at
Secretary: Carol Keating at

Portland, ME — Parent Support Group
USM Portland Campus, 34 Bedford St, Portland (Directions)
Abromson Community Education Center, room 216
1st Thursday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Contact Monique Myers:

Cranston, RI — Parents of School-Age Children
Last Monday of the month - 7:30-9:00 (call to check)
Autism Project, 51 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston, RI 401-785-2666
Facilitator: Barbara Whalen 401-333-1705

Non-AANE Support Groups

These listings are provided for informational purposes only. These groups are not overseen by AANE.

Albany, NY area
Families Of High Functioning Autistic Kids
Meet 2nd Wednesday (call to check)
Capital District Area of New York State
Contact: Janice Craft at 518-477-2972 or

Chelmsford, MA — Parent Support Group
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, LLC
1st Saturday, 10am-12pm
9 Acton Road, Suite 17, Chelmsford, MA 01824
April Farley: (978) 256-6579 x21 or

Dover-Foxcroft, ME — Parent Support Group
1st Saturday, 10am - 12pm
Mayo Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Contact: Becky Morse at 207-695-3825 or

Farmington, CT — Farmington Valley Aspergers Network
Support Group for Parents of Children with Asperger Syndrome, PDD, and other forms of mild Autism - Discussion and speakers
Last Tuesday of the month - 7:00 p.m.
Farmington Senior/Community Center, 321 New Britain Avenue, Unionville, CT
Contact Shawn or Lee McFadden at 860-589-0097
http://www.favan.org

Hinsdale, NH
PATH: Parent Support and Action Group
For parents challenged by their children's behavior
46 Northfield Rd; Hinsdale, NH 03451
Contact Liz Macdonald at 603-336-8381 or

Holliston, MA
ASD/NVLD/Tourette's Parent Support Group (all ages)
2nd Monday, 7:10pm; Sept. thru June (excluding Dec)
Cole Court Function Rm, 429 Washington St, Holliston
Contact Lisa Bobrin, OTR'L, EEG-BCIAC at 508-893-0893;

Raymond, NH
Parents/Guardians of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
2nd Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Easter Seals Office, Rt. 27, Raymond, NH
Contact Donna Descheneaux at 895-1522 or email

Rochester, NH — Informed Hope ASD
Autism support group for families and caregivers
2nd Tuesday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Emmanuel Advent Church, 34 Easter Ave, Rochester NH
Childcare may be available — call in advance
Contact: Kyle Szczepanik (335-5286), Suzanna Fletcher (942-8386), or Deidre (322-8683). Email:

West Boylston, MA — Asperger's Support Group for Parents
Autism Resource Center of Central Massachusetts
2nd Wednesday, 6:00 - 9:00 (call to check)
Call for information
Website: http://www.arccm.org
Office hours: 9am-4pm Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri; 9am-6pm Wed (9am-9pm if group is scheduled)
Contact: Sue Loring at or 508-835-4278

Westwood, MA
Family Autism Center, 789 Clapboard Street, Westwood, MA
1st Wednesday, 7-9 pm
Joanne McLaughlin, 508-543-3936 or

Southern Maine — Support group for Autism/PDD/Aspergers
Meet last Thursday of month from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Contact: Nancy Beach (207-477-8481) or
At Goodall Hospital, Sanford, Maine.

This group is sponsored by the Southern Maine Parent Awareness which can be reached via phone at 207-324-2337, in Maine only at 800-564-9696, or via email:
Website: http://www.somepa.org