Family & Friends

Support Groups for Parents of Children & Teens

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.

Face-to-Face Support Groups

“I gained new insights about my child and family from participating in my support group at AANE. I can't wait to sign up for the next one!”

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:

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: Registration is closed.

October 16, November 6, December 4, January 8, February 5, March 4, April 1, May 6

Early Notification for Future Rounds


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: 2 spots left!

October 15, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12

Early Notification for Future Rounds


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: 6 spots left!

October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 13, March 19, April 9, May 21

Early Notification for Future Rounds 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: Registration is closed.

October 7, November 11, December 9, January 6, February 3, March 2, April 27, May 11

Early Notification for Future Rounds


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: 3 spots left!

October 21, November 18, December 16, January 13, March 9, March 30, April 20, May 18

Early Notification for Future Rounds


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: 2 spots left!  

October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 27, March 19, April 23, May 21

Early Notification for Future Rounds  

“I gained new insights about my child and family from participating in my support group at AANE. I can't wait to sign up for the next one!”

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 Young Children (<12 years old), facilitated by Megan Brenk, will meet online from 12:00-1:30 PM EST for these 8 Friday afternoons: 7 spots left!

October 18, November 1, November 15, December 6, December 20, January 3, January 17, February 7

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: 4 spots left!

October 17, November 7, November 21, December 5, December 19, January 9, January 23, February 13

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: Registration is closed.

September 23, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2, December 16, January 6

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: 3 spots left!

September 23, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2, December 16, January 13, January 27

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: 1 spots left!

October 10, October 24, November 7, November 21, December 5 , December 19, January 16, January 30

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: Registration is closed.

November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12

Early Notification for Future Rounds    

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 8 Sunday mornings: Registration is closed.

October 20, November 17, December 15, January 12, February 9, March 15, April 26, May 17

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.