Apraxia Resource Center of Connecticut (ARCC) (All Regions)

The Apraxia Resource Center of Connecticut is non-profit organization and support network open to all parents and caregivers of children with apraxia of speech.  They support families from all regions in Connecticut and have several support group meeting location options including, Northeast CT, Hartford Area, and Fairfield/New Haven County. For a complete schedule of meetings and more information about the organization please visit their website at or contact Michele Wasikowski at 203-521-6112 or by email at michelewaz@gmail.com.

Autism Parent’s Group  (Wilton – Region 2)

The Autism Parent’s Group meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm at Blue Luna in Wilton.  This group gives parents of children on the autism spectrum a chance to support each other and share stories over dinner.  For more info, contact Patti Sylvia at 203-761-0248, or by email at pattisylvia@aol.com. Blue Luna is on Route 7 in Wilton (on the Wilton/Norwalk Border).

Bridgeport Parents for Empowerment, Support & Training (Bridgeport – Region 2)

The Bridgeport Parents for Empowerment, Support and Training (BPEST) meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of the month at 9:30 am and the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm.  Meetings in Spanish are held on the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm.  Please contact AnnaMarie Saez at (203) 337-4403, x336 or ASaez@theparkproject.org for locations and details.

Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress (Statewide)

CDSC is a special interest group that advocates for persons with Down syndrome and their families. We are a welcoming and supportive group of over 350 parents, numerous professionals and over 20 advocacy groups statewide. We provide support to our members through our annual convention, by co-sponsoring parent/professional conferences and hosting numerous local and state-wide activities (e.g. picnics, playgroups, mom’s night outs, holiday parties, etc.) For contact info and to see our calendar of events, visit our website at http://www.ctdownsyndrome.org.

Connecticut Family Support Network (Statewide)

The Connecticut Family Support Network holds monthly meetings in various areas.    For more information, please contact the following:

State Coordinator         Jennifer Carroll      877-376-2329    email:    jtcarroll@cox.net

Northwest Region         Alice Buttwell         860-350-6025 or 203-709-3850 email:    AliceMMBB@aol.com

Southwest Region         Lisa Sheppard      203-556-7317    email:    lnshep@aol.com

Northeast Region          Mona Tremblay     860-928-6514    email:    advocatefor2@yahoo.com

North Central Region    Sheila Harris          860-297-4358    email:    afcamp@sbcglobal.net

Southeast Region          April Dipollina       860-271-4371     email:    adipollina@lmhosp.org

South Central Region    Tesha Imperati      203-710-3041    email:    scctfamilysupport@gmail.com

Do You Love Someone with PDD, Aspergers or Autism? (Trumbull – Region 2)

A new energetic support group is forming in Lower Fairfield County.  It’s designed for parents, family members, friends and caregivers of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. They offer a safe place to talk, brainstorm, vent, laugh and share productive ways to navigate the often-murky waters of those whose lives are inextricably linked to the world of autism. The group meets at Frenchtown Elementary School in Trumbull, CT on the first Monday of each month, from 7:00 until 9:00 pm. If you have any questions please contact Tina at: (203) 368-6878.

Epilepsy Support Group (Stamford- Region 2)

The Epilepsy Foundation of CT invites anyone who has epilepsy, including parents, to join them on the third Monday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second floor at the Stamford Government Center located at 888 Washington Boulevard in Stamford, Connecticut.  For more information please contact the Epilepsy Foundation of CT at 800-899-3745.

Family Support and Network Group for Parents Raising Children Who Have Disabilities (Trumbull – Region 2)

The Family Support and Network Group for Parents Raising Children Who Have Disabilities meets the first Thursday of every month from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at the St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services Family Center, 95 Merritt Blvd, Trumbull, CT. Come connect with other parents for: Information and resource sharing, Presentations and discussions with community resources and service providers, and Support. For additional information please contact Lisa Sheppard at: 203-556-7317 or by email at: lnshep@aol.com or Donna Kennedy at: 203-386-2790 or by email at: dkennedy@stvincents.org.

Ferguson Library (Stamford – Region 2)

The Ferguson Library in Stamford has a Special Needs Center with a collection of books, videos and magazines for parents of children with special needs. This public library has also been awarded an LSTA grant to expand services to children with disabilities. Please visit their web page to see what resources they offer at: www.fergusonlibrary.org, Click on the youth link, then on parents place.

The Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (Statewide)

The Food Allergy Association of Connecticut (FAACT) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and support to parents of children with  food allergies and increasing public awareness and understanding about food allergies. They promote education and awareness with monthly meetings, guest speakers, special events and a parent support network.  For more information about FAACT, please visit their website at www.faact.org.

Friends of Autistic People (Greenwich – Region 2)

Friends of Autistic People (FAP) is a parents’ support group dedicated to raising awareness of services and supported living arrangements needed for autistic adults and searching for help within public, private and state organizations. FAP sponsors support meetings, lectures by experts in the field and recently produced a Connecticut Access TV special on the needs of autistic adults. Participation is encouraged by families of children of all ages, professionals within the field and other supporters of the cause are invited to join as well. For more information, please call 203-661-8510, email Brita Darany at bridaranyi@aol.com or visit www.autisticadults.com.

Healing Support Group for Individuals with Lupus, Their Friends and Family (Westport – Region 2)

The healing support group, is being offered to patients with lupus, their families and friends. The group is sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder which affects nearly 2 million children and adults. The support group will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month in Westport at the Christ and Holy Church. It will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 pm in the Brandon Room. The group is open to all who have an interest in Lupus and is aimed at aiding the healing process in a caring and supportive environment. For more information please contact facilitator, Nanette Green at (203) 615-3894.

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Statewide)

NOFAS Connecticut is a statewide support and advocacy group for parents and caregivers of individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). We offer support and information to families and professionals by phone and through support groups. We also offer an email list-serve which is open to parents and professionals, to enhance our efforts in sharing support and information. Our goal is to raise community awareness regarding prevention of FASD and improving the quality of life for those affected. For more information please contact, NOFAS Connecticut at 860-942-4507, or email them at nofasct@yahoo.com.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association, CT Chapter (Statewide)

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association provides a variety of support groups to people suffering from spinal cord injuries throughout the state of Connecticut. Our support groups allow individuals the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with other’s that have a spinal cord injury. Support group meetings are held at many area hospitals and independent living centers throughout the state of Connecticut. Support groups are organized and run by NSCIA CT Chapter member volunteers.

For support group locations, dates and times please visit: http://www.sciact.org/services.asp#support.

NorwalkSEEKS (Norwalk – Region 2)

NorwalkSEEKS is a non-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut. They are a network of parents and professionals who are interested in providing parent advocacy and a support network. NorwalkSEEKS are dedicated to increasing awareness of issues of importance to children with Learning Disabilities (LD) that are of importance to families with children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 Plans.

NorwalkSEEKS website lists lectures, seminars and other local events related to learning and special education for our children. This website lists important upcoming events, offers links to valuable sites, and helps you find the information you need to help your child succeed.

NorwalkSEEKS hosts a lecture series September through May.  For more information visit their website at www.norwalkseeks.org or call 203 846-2501.

Our Place. The Place to Be for Young Adults (Trumbull – Region 2)

Our Place. The Place To Be for Young Adults. The Kennedy Center offers this group for Young Adults ages 17-21 with special needs entering those transitional years into their 20s! Enjoy music, dancing, games, art, cooking, snacks and more! Our Place meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at The Kennedy Center, Senior Options Building, 30 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611. There is a fee of $10 per session, and registration is required. For More Information Call Opportunities Unlimited at 203-332-4535 ext. 223 or email them at oppunlimited@kennedyctr.org.

Pizza Moms (Darien – Region 2)

Pizza Moms is a group of moms with special needs children in the Fairfield County Area. First Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. The meetings are Informal and at the Post Corner Pizza Restaurant in Darien on Boston Post Road (across from the Firehouse). For more info email Nanette at nanette618@gmail.com or visit sites.google.com/site/pizzamomssite.

Pizza Moms (Greenwich – Region 2)

Pizza Moms of Greenwich is a Group of moms with special needs children in the Greenwich/Stamford area every third Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm. The meetings are Informal and pizza, salad and beverages are served. The meetings are held at Bella Nonna in Cos Cob (371 East Putnam Avenue) Everyone is welcome. For more info email Philippa Orszulak at angelmanmom@aol.com or check  www.geocities.com/nanette618/pizzamomsg.html.

Special Dads Group (Greenwich – Region 2)

The Special Dads Group meets on the 2nd Monday of the month, at Bella Nonna, 371 East Putnam Ave Greenwich, CT. For more information contact Michael Beloff at mbeloff@optonline.net or visit the website, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Specialdads.

SPED*NET New Canaan (New Canaan – Region 2)

Special Education Network of New Canaan, Ltd. (SPED*NET New Canaan”) is organized exclusively to educate the public on special education and disability-related issues.  They strive to empower parents, professionals, and students to become more effective advocates in their schools and communities, particularly in New Canaan, CT, and it’s neighboring towns.  They serve as a resource for disability-related information, and as a parent-to-parent support and advocacy network for families of children with individual education plans (IEP’s) and Section 504 plans.    Visit www.spednet.org to learn about parent resources available in Southwestern Connecticut.

SPED*NET Wilton (Wilton – Region 2)

SPEDNET, Special Education Network of Wilton, Ltd., is a not-for-profit corporation organized exclusively for educational purposes, more specifically, to educate the public about special needs, special education and disability-related issues. SPEDNET Wilton serves as an advocacy and supportive network for CT families of children with special needs, especially families of children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans.  Their yearly speaker series, free and open to the public, provides information on the latest therapies, strategies and research in the educational, medical and social realms.  Their Guide to Special Services in Connecticut, Bringing Knowledge to the Table: How to be an Effective Advocate for Your Child, presents information in a user-friendly format and in easy-to-understand language, detailing the special education process and linking readers to current websites, forms and resources.  Visit www.spednetwilton.org for more information.

We Belong Parent Support Group (Westport – Region 2)

This group of parents, teachers, administrators and therapists from Westport is committed to the inclusion of children with disabilities in education, social and recreation opportunities, life in the community and employment. The group meets monthly and hosts speakers on a variety of topics related to inclusion. For more information, please contact Eva Greenwald at evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net.