AANE offers three types of support groups for Parents of Children & Teens along with two Online Google Group Discussion Forums, one for Parents of Children and one for Parents of Teens:
- 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 "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 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.
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 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 in to our weekly free online Community Connection Sessions to connect with other parents via the Zoom online vidoe 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 and Teens - Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 PM EDT July 16 - FILLEDOnline “Open” Community Connection Session for Parents of Children & Teens 7/16/20 7:00-8:00 PM EDT
Online “Open” Community Connection Session for Parents of Children & Teens 7/30/20 7:00-8:00 PM EDT
Online “Open” Community Connection Session for Parents of Children & Teens 8/13/20 7:00-8:00 PM EDT
Online “Open” Community Connection Session for Parents of Children & Teens 8/27/20 7:00-8:00 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 EDTOnline Local NY “Open” Resource & Connection Session for Families of Teens 7/15/20 8:00-9:00 PM EDT
Online "Closed" Support Groups for Parents of Children & Teens
Online College 101 Approaching Adulthood “Closed” Information Series for Transition Age Youth (18-22), facilitated by Jane Thierfeld Brown, will meet online from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 8 Wednesday evenings:
July 22, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19, August 26, September 2, September 9,
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of Young Children (<12), facilitated by Amanda Bailey, will meet online from 7:00-8:30 PM EST for these 6 Tuesday evenings:
June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of Tween Boys & Girls (4th - 9th grades), facilitated by Laura Perez, M.Sc, will meet online from 12:30-2:00 PM EDT for these 6 Monday afternoons:
June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of High School Girls, facilitated by Nancy Parker, MSW, LICSW, will meet online from 12:30-2:00 PM EST for these 5 Monday afternoons:
June 8, June 22, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24
There are no upcoming events at this time.
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 6 Monday evenings:
June 15, June 22, June 29, July 13, July 20, July 27
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of Transition-Age Youth (18-25), facilitated by Stephanie Loo will meet online from 7-8:30 PM EST for these 6 Thursday evenings:
June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23,, August 6, August 20
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 18 participants to allow for both peer support and sharing of resources.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
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:
July 14, August 4, September 1
Padres latinos de niños y adolescentes