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:

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

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.

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

Involved Educated Parents (IEP) (Manchester – Region 3)

Involved Educated Parents is a group of families and educators with a goal of educating families about special education, improving parents’ knowledge of the system and fostering effective advocacy for their children. Meetings are on the Third Tuesday of the Month from 7:00 until 9:00 pm at Faith Baptist Church on Lake Street in Manchester, CT. For more information please contact Leslie Vonderkall at 860-647-9041.

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.

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.

Puzzled Sibs (South Windsor – Region3)

Puzzled Sibs is a support group for brothers and sisters of siblings with Autism. They meet monthly to discuss feelings, know that you are not alone and to have a good time. The group is open to kids ages 6 – 13. They meet at the South Windsor Community Center, located at 150 Nevers Road, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. The first few meeting dates are: January 30th, February 13th, March 29th and April 19th. For more information, please contact Melissa Dumont at: 860-214-2903 or by email at: puzzled_sibs@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

Windsor SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association) – (Windsor – Region 3)

The Windsor Special Education PTA (SEPTA) is a newly formed group of parents, families and educators who have an interest in special education and the welfare of children with special needs.  Its mission is to inform and work with schools on the needs of children receiving special education services, to work with other PTAs and to foster community involvement.  Members of the SEPTA attend and support town-wide meetings and attend all school open houses for visibility and to answer questions.  The Windsor SEPTA invites a monthly speaker on topics of interest to its 69 members.