AANE offers four types of support groups for Parents of Children & Teens:
*Note that due to the COVID-19 situation all groups have moved online.
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.
Free Online Group Chats for Parents During COVID-19 Situation
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 in to our weekly free online chat sessions to connect with other parents via the Zoom online vidoe conferencing links below. Chats 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.
Free Online Group Chat for Parents of Children - Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 PM SET on 4/8/20, 4/15/20, 4/22/20, 4/29/20, 5/6/20, 5/13/20, 5/20/20, 5/27/20
Click date to register for the Parents of Children Group Chat.
Free Online Group Chat for Parents of Teens - Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 PM SET on 4/9/20 , 4/16/20, 4/23/20, 4/30/20, 5/7/20, 5/14/20, 5/21/20, 5/28/20
Click date to register for the Parents of Teens Group Chat
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:
Parents of Transition-Age Youth (14-22), facilitated by Amanda Bailey & Leslie Tsui, will meet online from 7-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Tuesday evenings:
April 14, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9
The transition years bring a lot of uncertainty about the future--along with the daily challenges that come when parenting a teenager or young adult. Come connect with others wondering about the same questions regarding post-secondary education, employment, independent living, and more.
This group is limited to 14 participants to allow for both peer support and sharing of resources.
Please note that this group is free.
Now Online through the Zoom platform
April 16, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11
***NEW Group offered with reduced price thanks to a grant from the Foundation for MetroWest.
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 Monday afternoons:
March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11, June 1, June 15
For those in need, please use coupon code FREESUPPORT to register for free.
Registration is closed
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:
April 2, April 16, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 28, June 4, & June 11
For those in need, please use coupon code FREESUPPORT to register for free.
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
Registration is closed.
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
Registration is closed.
Latino Parents of Children & Teens - *FREE*, facilitated by Laura Perez, will meet online from 12:00-1:30 PM EST for these 7 Tuesday afternoons:
February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12
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
Registration is closed.
Face-to-Face Support Groups
Many parents find it comforting and helpful to connect with one another through the face-to-face support groups we offer in our Watertown office. All groups are limited in size, run from October through May, are facilitated by an AANE staff member, and require pre-registration. Each session lasts 90 minutes.
The cost is $120 for the full eight-session series. This year there is no extra charge for both parents to attend meetings. In the registration form, just click the “Add” button to register the second parent. If the family budget is tight, please contact Nancy.Parker@aane.org about financial aid or an installment plan.
Upcoming Face-to-Face Parent Support Groups:
October 15, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12
Registration is closed.
October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 13, March 19, April 9, May 21
- SESSIONS ONLINE - FACILITATOR WILL SEND LINK
Registration is closed.
October 7, November 11, December 9, January 6, February 3, March 2, April 27, May 11
- SESSIONS ONLINE - FACILITATOR WILL SEND LINK
Registration is closed.
October 21, November 18, December 16, January 13, March 9, March 30, April 20, May 18
- SESSIONS ONLINE - FACILITATOR WILL SEND LINK
Registration is closed.
October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 27, March 19, April 23, May 21
Registration is closed.