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)
If you are the parent of a student who is LGBTQIA+, gender non-binary, or exploring their gender, you are welcome to register for whichever of these Parent Support Group you feel will best meet your needs.
Online "Closed" 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.
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of Young Children (<12), facilitated by Amanda Bailey will meet online for the dates below:
Jan
12
Online “Closed” Support Support for Parents of Young Children (<12), 1/12/21 - 4/27/21, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET
01/12/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jan
11
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Tweens, 1/11/21 – 4/5/21, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM ET
01/11/2021 @ 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Jan
11
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of High School Girls, 1/11/21 – 4/19/21, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM ET
01/11/2021 @ 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Jan
11
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of High School Girls, 1/11/21 – 4/19/21, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM ET
01/11/2021 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of High School Boys, facilitated by Stephanie Loo, M.Ed., will meet online for the dates below:
Jan
11
FILLED – Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of High School Boys, 1/11/21 – 4/26/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
01/11/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Feb
02
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of High School Boys, 2/2/21 – 5/4/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
02/02/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Online "Closed" Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth (18-22), facilitated by Stephanie Loo or Amanda Bailey or Brenda Dater will meet online for the dates below:
Jan
11
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth (18-22), 1/11/21 – 4/19/21, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET
01/11/2021 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Jan
14
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth (18-22), 1/14/21 – 4/22/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
01/14/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Feb
02
Online “Closed” Support Group for Parents of Transition Age Youth (18-22), 2/2/21 – 5/18/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
02/02/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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 :November 3, December 1
Dec
01
Padres latinos de niños y adolescentes -1 de diciembre
December 1 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Dec
16
Online “Open” Support Group for Fathers, 12/16/20, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
December 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Jan
27
Online “Open” Support Group for Fathers, 1/27/21, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
01/27/2021 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dec
01
Online “Open” Support Group for Grandparents, 12/1/20, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
December 1 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Dec
15
Online “Open” Support Group for Grandparents, 12/15/20, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
December 15 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
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
Dec
10
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 "Open" NY Resource & Connection Session for Families of Teens- third Wednesday of the month from 8:00 - 9:00 PM EDT
Dec
16
Online LOCAL NY “Open” Resource + Connection Session for Families of Teens, 12/16/20, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
December 16 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Online Discussion Forums for Parents of Children and Teens (through High School)
AANE offers two online Google Groups Discussion Forums for parents: one for Parents of Children and one for Parents of Teens (through high school). Both are moderated by AANE staff. If you would like to join either or both groups (or switch groups), please fill out the form below. Then look for an email invitation, and follow the instructions to set up your account. Once your child graduates from high school, contact info@aane.org to move to the Online Google Group Discussion Forum for Parents of Adults.
** Parents of young adults who are post-high school should join the Online Discussion Forum for Parents and Families of Post-High School Adults