Family & Friends

Support Options for Parents/Families of Post-High School Adults

AANE offers four types of supports for Parents/Families of Adults 23 years old and older:

For parents of adults on the spectrum, parenting can be demanding, frustrating, and at times stressful long after the child is grown.  Parents who are members of support groups gain feedback and perspective from peers on issues such as:

    • maintaining a healthy parent/child relationship 
    • keeping the lines of communication open
    • accessing services to help their child find employment, live independently, and connect socially
    • taking time to support themselves

AANE parents of adult support groups are designed for parents and family members of post-high school adults on the spectrum.  Family members must be 18 years or older to join these groups or the online discussion forum. AANE staff members facilitate these in-person and online groups, as well as our online discussion forum.   

Frequently Asked Questions about Parent of Adult Support Groups

Free Online Community Connection Sessions for Parents of Adults (23+)

Community Connections are a great way to reduce your isolation and connect with the AANE community.  If you are looking for additional support after you've attended a Community Connections session, we encourage you to investigate AANE's Open Support Groups for Parents of Adults or Closed Support Groups for Parents of Adults over 23.  

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Open Support Groups for Parents/Families of Adults

Online "Open" Support Groups for Parents of Adults have new people joining from session to session and are FREE. Registration is required. The groups are facilitated by AANE staff, consultants, or volunteers who themselves are on the autism spectrum, have family members on the spectrum, or have worked extensively with the Asperger/autism community.  

Online Google Group Discussion Forum for Parents and Families of Post-High School Adults

Our free online discussion forum is designed for parents of post-high school adults.  Siblings, aunts, uncles, and other adult family members may also join this group. In this forum, you can share your concerns, questions, and successes with more than 300 other parents and family members throughout the US and Canada. 

It is recommended that all members of  Online Google Group Discussion Forums join with a gmail email account. 

If you prefer to remain anonymous as a member of the Online Google Group Discussion Forum:

  • Create a new gmail account before joining the forum.  This will allow you to remain anonymous.  
  • Forward the emails related to the forum to your primary email address inbox.
  • BUT only send emails from the Google Group dashboard to remain anonymous
  • Make sure that when you "reply all" your personal email address is NOT the sender.
  • ONLY use the Google Group Forum name as the "reply all" sender

By submitting this form, you are opting in to email communication from AANE. You may update your email preferences at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of AANE emails.   

If you agree to join then you agree to follow forum guidelines.

Read more on the best practices for joining, sending messages, and leaving a Online Google Group Discussion Forum

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** Parents of adults who are still in high school should join the Online Discussion Forums for Parents of Children and Teens (through High School)

** Spouses and partners of adults with Aspergers should join the Online Discussion Forum for Couples