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.

The Aspie Posse (Hartford – Region 3)

This is a social group for teens and adults with Aspergers Syndrome in the Greater Hartford Area. We have activities such as: movies, bowling, dinner, birthday parties and open mic nights to name a few. This established and thriving group is run by a talented young woman with Aspergers Syndrome. It is appropriate for ages 15 and up. For more information please contact Yana at: 860-313-1191 or Dave at: 203 484-2937 or email him at: nz1j@juno.com.

Autism Parent Support Group (Manchester – Region 3)

The Autism Parent Support Group sponsored by East of the River Region of the Autism Society of Connecticut meets the second Monday of the month beginning at 7:00 pm at the Manchester Memorial Hospital in Manchester, CT. For more information please contact Geneva Bajorek at: 860-645-1940 or please visit: www.autismsocietyofct.org.

Bloomfield Support Group (Bloomfield – Region 3)

The Bloomfield Support Group is a support group for parents of children of any age with any disability. The group is co-sponsored by the JP Vincent Family Resource Center in Bloomfield, the African & Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP) and Family Advocacy Organization for Children’s Mental Health (FAVOR). Meetings are held on the 4th Monday of each month from 6:30-8:30 PM at First Congregational Church in Bloomfield. All are welcome. Dinner and childcare are provided. For more information please contact AFCAMP at: 860-297-4358 or JP Vincent Family Resource Center at: 860-769-5518 or 860-286-2640 x112.

Connecticut ASRC East of the River Parent Support Group (Glastonbury – Region 3)

CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center East of the River Parent Support Group serves parents of children ages 12 and under on the autism spectrum.  The group meets on the second Monday of every month at 7pm at First Church, Congregational, 2183 Main St. in Glastonbury.  For more information, please contact Susan at 860-657-1150 or Jennifer at 860-657-2155.

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:

Executive Director: Jennifer Carroll 877-FSN-2DAY jtcarroll@cox.net
Northeast Region: Mona Tremblay 860-774-7501 ext. 14  mtremblay@genhealth.org
Peter Szruba  860-481-9663 szruba@att.net
Southeast Region: April Dipollina 860-271-4371 adipollina@lmhosp.org
North Central Region: Sheila Harris 860-922-5159 voices03@mail.com
South Central Region: Tesha Imperati 203-710-3041 scctfamilysupport@gmail.com
Deborah Pagano-Finkle 203-245-2340 charde@mindspring.com
Northwest Region: Trish Butler 203-739-9614 trishjbutler@comcast.net
Southwest Region: Karleen Craddock 203-400-0105 karleen.craddock@yahoo.com
Bi-Lingual Family Support: Maggy Morales 860-539-0988 mamorales@uchc.edu
Deaf and HH Advocacy Outreach Coordinator: Patti Silva 860-529-7766 cakes01@cox.net

Connecticut Family Support Network Northwest Parent Resource/Support Group (Waterbury – Region 3)

The Connecticut Family Support Network Northwest Parent Resource/Support Group meets the last Monday of every month at the Waterbury WARC located at 1929 East Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut.  The group is for all parents and caregivers raising children with special care needs.  Information on connections to community resources and parent support are shared.  The group also features guest speakers.  For more information, contact Alice Buttwell, CTFSN Northwest Coordinator at 860-350-6025 or 203-709-3850 or via email at alicemmbb@aol.com.

Connecticut Grandparent Caregiver Support Group Listing

The Department of Social Services Aging Services Division offers a comprehensive listing of support groups for grandparent caregivers in Connecticut.  View the listing on their website to find contact information for each support group.  Grandparent Caregiver Support Group Listing

East Hartford Teen Special Needs Social Group (East Hartford – Region 3)

Sponsored by the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department, this program is for children ages 13 and older with special needs. The group meets on Friday nights and participants in a variety of social activities, such as bowling and dancing. For more information please contact Dianne at 860-528-1458.

Enfield Support Group for Parents, Caregivers and Families of Children with ADHD (Enfield – Region 3)

This is a newly forming program in Enfield. The program will provide a mutually supportive, non-judgmental network of parents, caregivers and families of children with ADHD.  Monthly meetings will be held wherein the members support each other, learn from each others’ experiences and seek greater understanding of the struggles and opportunities that loving and caring for a child with ADHD presents. The first meeting will be held on Monday, September 29 from 7 to 8pm at Hazardville Memorial Elementary School. Registration is requested, all parents are welcome. To register, if you have any questions or would like more information please call Shannon Roberto, of the Parent Leadership Association, at (860) 997-5462 or email at sroberto1@cox.net.

Farmington Family Support Group (Farmington – Region 3)

The Farmington Parent Support Group, meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at the Farmington Community and Senior Center,  located at 321 New Britain Avenue in Farmington, CT 06032. For more information on this support group, please contact Lynn Cybulski by email at: lynncyb@yahoo.com.

Farmington Valley Aspergers Network (FAVAN) (Farmington – Region 3)

The Farmington Valley Aspergers Network (FAVAN) is a not-for-profit, parent-run support group for parents, caregivers and families of children on the “mild” end of autism spectrum.  Our mission and goal is to provide education about current resources available to parents, emotional support and a safe environment for social networking with other families in the same situation.  For more information about monthly meetings please contact Shawn and Lee McFadden at 860-589-0097, by email at:  info@favan.org or visit them on the web at: www.favan.org

Hartford Area Support Group for Parents of Teens with ASD (Wethersfield – Region 3)

The Hartford Area Support Group for Parents of Teens with ASD meets the 4th Monday of each month from 7pm to 8:30pm in Conference Room #1 on the lower level of Wethersfield Town Hall located at 505 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, Connecticut. For more information, contact Carol Barans at 203-265-7717 extension 17.

High Functioning Autism and Developmental Delays Support Group (HiFADD) (West Hartford – Region 3)

HiFADD is run by The Family Resource and Development Center, LLC in West Hartford, Connecticut.  The group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor at Family Resource and Development Center located at 15 North Main Street in West Hartford.  The group is for parents, other adult family members, as well as caregivers who are in need of support due to the unique demands of helping to raise children and/or adolescents with high functioning autism or other developmental delays that affect their social and emotional functioning and well being.  Groups consist of open discussion, as well as occasional guest speakers to discuss specific topics and address questions about a variety of issues.  Meetings are facilitated by Daniel Weiner, MA LPC and Denise Scheuy, MA, COTA/L.  Membership is available but not required to attend meetings. For more information, contact Denise Scheuy or Dan Weiner at 860-484-3732.

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.

Food Allergy Support Team of North Central CT (FAST) (Enfield – Region 3)

The Food Allergy Support Team of North Central CT (FAST) mission is to build a strong, collaborative support team for parents of children who live with food allergies.  FAST meets monthly for mutual support and practical advice, occasionally hosts guest speakers, advocates for children and educates the local community.  Meetings are held in Enfield the first Sunday of the month.  For more information, please contact FAST at www.fastct.org, 860-436-8079 or support@fastct.org.

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.

Next Steps Parent Support Group (Southington – Region 3)

The Next Steps Parent Support Group is for parents of children with special needs in the Southington area. The group meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6pm at The Summit in Plantsville. The Bristol/Farmington Collaborative sponsors this support group. For more information about the Collaborative visit, http://www.gbfvcc.org/. For more information about the support group, contact Tina Santos at tfrap128@hotmail.com or Lori at stevelori@cox.net.

SWAN Parenting Programs Support Group For Children with ADHD (South Windsor – Region 3)

SWAN Parenting Programs offers a monthly support group for parents who have children with ADHD. This facilitated group offers a non-judgmental place for parents and other caregivers to share the joys and challenges of raining a child with ADHD. They meet on the last Thursday of each month in the Charles Enes Community Center in South Windsor, CT from 6:30 until 8:00 pm. No registration is necessary and All parents are welcome. If you have any questions or would like more information please call Parenting Educator, Ginny Molleur at 860-648-6361 Ext. 314.

Vernon Special Needs Social Group (Vernon – Region 3)

This program offers social and recreational opportunities for the physically and mentally challenged individual. Participants engage in a variety of activities, games, crafts and much more.

Participant Information: Open to individuals ages 9 and older. This program is not limited to Vernon Residents. Parents are not required to stay with child, but group home residents must have supervision.

Program Information: The group meets the first and second Saturdays of the month at the Vernon Teen Center. Participants should bring a bag lunch or snack unless indicated otherwise. New participants may register at the Parks and Recreation Department no later than one day before the program takes place. Please contact the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department at 860-870-3520 if you are interested.

Welcome to My World – Autism (New Britain – Region 3)

Welcome to My World – Autism is a support group for families of children with autism.  The group provides information on social/emotional issues and recreation needs for families.  They meet in the media center at Pulaski Middle School located at 757 Farmington Avenue in New Britain, Connecticut every third Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the school year.  For more information, contact Stephen or Livia Arasimowicz at 860-259-5790 or welcometomyworldautism@yahoo.com

Wethersfield Special Kids (Wethersfield Special Kids – Region 3)

Wethersfield Special Kids is a support group for parents of children with a variety of needs and abilities.  For more information, please contact Patti Silva at 860-529-7766 or specialkids@cox.net