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 three types of support groups for Parents of Children, Teens, and Young Adults (through age 22) along with two Online Google Group Discussion Forums, one for Parents of Children and one for Parents of Teens to help you feel less alone and more empowered:
- Online "Closed" Support Groups - (formerly called Support Group Series), are groups that have the same members for a set number of sessions. (Fee, aid available)
- Online "Open" Support Groups - (formerly called Ongoing/Drop-In Support Groups) have an undefined number of group members with new people coming and going on a regular basis. (Free)
- Online Community Connection Sessions - General & NY Specific - help relieve isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic by connecting with community members and AANE staff. (Free)
- Online Discussion Forums (Free)
Note that due to the COVID-19 situation all groups have moved online and many programs are now free. For groups with a registration fee, financial assistance of 50% or 75% off the fee is available. If you need additional financial assistance please contact Stephanie Birkdale at stephanie.birkdale@aane.org.
Online "Closed" Support Groups
September 15, September 29, October 13, October 27, November 10, November 17, November 30, December 8
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Tweens, 9/29/20-12/8/2,0 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EDT
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of High School Girls, facilitated by Nancy Parker, MSW, LICSW, will meet online for these 8 Monday evenings:
September 21, October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, November 30, December 7, December 21 (12:30-2:00 PM EST)
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of High School Girls, 10/5/20-12/21/20, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EDT
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of High School Boys, facilitated by Stephanie Loo, M.Ed., will meet online from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Tuesday evenings:
September 29, October 13, October 27, November 11, November 24, December 8, December 22, January 5
FILLED – Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of High School Boys, 9/29/20-1/5/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of Transition-Age Youth (18-22), facilitated by Amanda Bailey will meet online from 7-8:30 PM ET for these 8 Tuesday evenings:
October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, December 1, December 15, December 29, January 5
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth (18-22), 10/6/20-1/5/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
If the registration of a program is filled, please check out our future schedule:
Online "Open" Support Groups
An "Open" Support Group (formerly known as an ongoing/drop-in support group) has an undefined number of group members with new people coming and going on a regular basis. Online "Open" Support Group for Latinx Parents of Children & Teens - *FREE*, facilitated by Laura Perez, will meet online from 12:00-1:30 PM EST for these Tuesday afternoons :September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1
Padres latinos de niños y adolescentes – 6 de octubre
Padres latinos de niños y adolescentes – 3 de noviembre
Online Community Connection Sessions for Parents
Parenting in the time of COVID-19 is especially difficult due to restrictions on normal activity and interaction. If you're unsure how to provide structure with kids out of school, need some self-care, or if you're feeling isolated from other adults and the community drop into our weekly free online Community Connection Sessions to connect with other parents via the Zoom online video conferencing links below. Sessions will be facilitated by AANE's Child and Teen Services staff who know firsthand the need to maintain a balance for ourselves and our children when life brings the unexpected.
Online Community Connection Sessions for Parents of Children, Teens, and Young Adults (through age 22) - Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 PM EDT
Free Online Resource & Connection Sessions for NY Families of Teens
AANE’s monthly NY Families of Teens Resource & Connection Session is an opportunity for NY state parents of high school teens with Asperger/autism profiles to connect virtually with other parents and learn from AANE’s experienced NY staff about NY-based resources to help your teen make the most of high school and the transition to adulthood.
Online Closed NY Resource & Connection Session for Families of Teens- third Wednesday of the month from 8:00 - 9:00 PM EDT
Online LOCAL NY “Open” Resource + Connection Session for Families of Teens, 10/21/20, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Online Local NY “Open” Resource + Connection Session for Families of Teens, 11/11/20, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT