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 Support (Dayville – Region 5)

Autism Support invites families and children to monthly support group meetings held on the second Friday of the month at 6pm at Nia Connecticut Fitness & Day Spa located at 736 Hartford Turnpike in Dayville, Connecticut.  The group’s goal is to reach out to families and heal while supporting each other.  Knowledge and resources will be shared and each meeting will end with a relaxing session.  For more information, contact John Snell at Nia Connecticut at 860-779-1303 or jdsnell@mindspring.com or contact Nancy Chenette at dustychen26@hotmail.com.

Bullying Support Group (Marlborough – Region 5)

A support group for children who have or are experiencing bullying has started in Marlborough.  The group will provide a safe place for children to discuss their experiences about being bullied.  Parents and children are welcome to attend.  For meeting information, please contact Sophie Burrows at stopbullyingmeplease@gmail.com.

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: 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 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

Family Support and Advocacy Group for Children with Behavioral, Emotional and Mental Health Challenges (Wauregan – Region 5)

The Family Support and Advocacy Group for Children with Behavioral, Emotional and Mental Health Challenges meets the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 until 11:00 am at the United Services in Wauregan, CT. For more information on this support group, please contact Lorna Grivois at 860-343-7330 ext. 101 or by email at lgrivois@familiesunited.org.

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.

“Friendship” Group (Social skills group) – UCONN (Storrs – Region 5)

The UCONN Psychological Services Clinic is offering “friendship” groups for children on the autism spectrum.  We are currently offering groups for children ages 7-9.  In the future, we may also offer groups for children and adolescents of other ages.  If you would like to be placed on our waitlist, please contact Julie Wolf or Jessica Lord at 860-486-2642.

Lebanon Special Education Parent Group (Lebanon – Region 5)

Parents of children receiving special education services in Lebanon are invited to attend the Lebanon Special Education Parent Group.  Meetings started in October 2011 and are held bi-monthly.  Please call Dawn Varney, Secretary to Director of Lebanon Special Education, at 860-642-5636 for more information.

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.

Nurturing Parenting – The Early Years (Willimantic – Region 5)

Parents of infants, toddlers or preschoolers are invited to join the Nurturing Parenting – The Early Years Support Group.  This group will begin meeting in August, 2010 and meet weekly for ten weeks at Generations Family Health Center, Inc. located in Windham Mills in Willimantic, Connecticut.  Topics to be discussed include positive discipline techniques, helping your child learn and grow and handling stress, frustration and anger.  Please contact Kerry Fair for meeting dates, times and other information at 860-450-0585 ext. 528 or kfair@genhealth.org.

Plainfield Support Group (Plainfield – Region 5)

Anyone raising a child with special needs is invited to join this support group.  The Plainfield Support Group meets the second Tuesday of every month (except July and August) at 6:30 pm at the Lighthouse Church on Route 14A in Plainfield, Connecticut.  For more information, contact Renee (Rouillard) Mirante at 860-884-9949 or reneemirante@yahoo.com.

Success SEPTO  (Willington – Region 5)

The mission of Success SEPTO is to work within our local communities to encourage school districts, legislators, and families to work together. The organization strives to understand, support, and enhance education, and provide greater opportunities for children with special needs.  They serve Ashford, Mansfield, Stafford, Tolland, Willington and other surrounding towns in Northeast Connecticut.  Meetings are held at 6:30pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Willington Public Library. All meetings are open to the public and we welcome new members and visitors.  For more information visit their Facebook page or their website or email info@successsepto.org.