Raising and educating a child with an Asperger profile may be challenging at times, so it's not surprising that many parents feel stressed and isolated. AANE offers a variety of ways to help you feel less alone and more empowered. If you feel overwhelmed or don't know where to start, consider parent coaching. Looking for support in a less formal way? Consider attending an AANE conference or a family or parent event.
Online Support Groups
This year we are offering several new Online Support Groups. These groups would be ideal for those of you who live outside of the greater Boston area and who are struggling to find a local community of support. We are very pleased to be able to offer you the ability to "meet" others you can relate to over the ZOOM platform. In order to participate, you must have a strong internet connection as well as a computer with a video camera and microphone. We are looking forward to serving families with these new offerings.
Upcoming Online Parent Support Groups:
*NEW* Parents of Multiple Children on the Autism Spectrum (age 2+ through High School), facilitated by Amanda Bailey, will meet online from 1:30-3:00 PM EST for these 8 Thursday afternoons:
February 13, February 27, March 12, March 26, April 9, April 23, May 7, May 21
Parents of Young Children (<12 years old), facilitated by Megan Brenk, will meet online from 12:00-1:30 PM EST for these 8 Friday afternoons:
October 18, November 1, November 15, December 6, December 20, January 3, January 17, February 7
Registration is closed.
Early Notification for Future Rounds
Parents of Tween Boys & Girls (4th - 9th grades), facilitated by Laura Perez, M.Sc, will meet online from 12:30-2:00 PM EST for these 8 Thursday afternoons:
March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11, June 1, June 15
Early Notification for Future Rounds
Parents of High School Girls, facilitated by Nancy Parker, MSW, LICSW, will meet online from 12:30-2:00 PM EST for these 8 Monday afternoons:
February 10, February 24, March 9, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11
Early Notification for Future Rounds
Parents of High School Boys, facilitated by Stephanie Loo, M.Ed., will meet online from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Monday evenings:
February 10, February 24, March 9, March 30, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18
Early Notification for Future Rounds
Parents of High School Boys and Girls, facilitated by Stephanie Loo, M.Ed., will meet online from 12:30 - 2:00 PM EST for these 8 Thursday afternoons:
February 13, February 27, March 12, April 2, April 30, May 14, May 28, June 11
Early Notification for Future Rounds
Latino Parents of Children & Teens, facilitated by Laura Perez, will meet online from 12:00-1:30 PM EST for these 7 Tuesday afternoons:
November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12
Upcoming Online Sibling Support Group:
Teens Age 13-17 with a Sibling of any age with an Asperger/autism profile, facilitated by Teen Sibling Coordinator, Kassie Rivera; Adult Siblings Co-Facilitators, Ariam Frezghi and Nina Kravitz; and Pat Schissel, LMSW, AANE NY Director, will meet online from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM EST for these 4 Sunday mornings:
February 16, March 15, April 26, May 17
Face-to-Face Support Groups
Upcoming Face-to-Face Parent Support Groups:
Parents of Young Children (<12 years old), facilitated by Janeka Melanson, Training and Education Coordinator, will meet in-person at the AANE office in Watertown from 10:00-11:30 AM EST for these 8 Wednesday mornings:October 16, November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, March 4, April 1, May 6
Registration is closed.Parents of Tween Boys (4th - 9th grades), facilitated by Laura Perez, M.Sc., will meet in-person at the AANE office in Watertown from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Tuesday evenings:
October 15, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12
Registration is closed.Parents of Tween Girls (4th - 9th grades), facilitated by Amanda Bailey, will meet in-person at the AANE office in Watertown from 6:30-8:00 PM EST for these 8 Thursday evenings:
October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 13, March 19, April 9, May 21
Registration is closed.Parents of High School Boys, facilitated by Stephanie Loo, M.Ed., will meet in-person at the AANE office in Watertown from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Monday evenings:
October 7, November 11, December 9, January 6, February 3, March 2, April 27, May 11
Registration is closed.Parents of High School Girls, facilitated by Nancy Parker, M.Ed., will meet in-person at the AANE office in Watertown from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Monday evenings:
October 21, November 18, December 16, January 13, March 9, March 30, April 20, May 18
Registration is closed.Parents of Post High School Transition Age Youth (18-22 years old), facilitated by Brenda Dater, MPH, MSW, will meet in-person at the AANE office in Watertown from 12:00-1:30 PM EST for these 8 Thursday afternoons:
October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 27, March 19, April 23, May 21
Registration is closed.Online Discussion Forum
AANE offers two online discussion groups for parents, moderated by Stephanie Loo, Director of Information and Referral: Parents of Children, and Parents of Teens. If you would like to join either or both groups (or switch groups), please fill out the form below. Then look for your email invitation, and follow the instructions to set up your account. Once your child graduates from high school, contact Stephanie to join the discussion group for Parents of Adults.