Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs in New York
These local groups offer support, inspiration, and resources for parents and families of children with special needs.
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Westchester Arc, Children’s School for
Early Development
40 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne
914-347-3227 x106
Provides educational, social, and support services for children ages newborn through 5 years and their families.
Westchester Foundation for Autism
P.O. Box 596, Scarsdale
[email protected]
866-529-8090
An organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families of children with autism and related developmental delays through social events, education, recreational programs, and family support.
Westchester Group Works
600 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 400, Harrison
914-301-9474
Westchester Group Works offers a variety of support groups for parents who have children with a disability or chronic illness. Groups change depending on parental needs, feelings, and concerns.
Westchester Jewish Community Services, Autism Services and The Autism Center
845 N. Broadway, White Plains
Leigh Englander, program coordinator
[email protected]
914-761-0600 x228
Offers a full range of services that assist children and adults on the autism spectrum and the challenges their families face. Support includes therapeutic services, special needs advocacy, and parent training. Project lifesaver program for children at risk of wandering. WJCS offers a grandparents’ support group, social skills groups for pre-K through high school students, and other social groups for young adults on the spectrum. WJCS also provides referrals for all autism services in Westchester and the surrounding areas.
WJCS’ Family Advocacy
914-949-7699 x593
A social skills-based group for adolescents on the autism spectrum and their families. Weekly meetings take place in a club-like format for the teenagers and participants to engage in activities that enhance social, recreational, and independent living skills.
Special Needs Support Groups in Rockland County
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
This group has a number of private online communities, including one for parents that aims to encourage open, useful exchange of information for and by people affected by ADHD.
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Rockland
Various locations throughout Rockland County
845-359-8787
Each NAMI regional affiliate works toward improving services and resources for individuals living with an emotional and behavioral challenge and their families through education, advocacy, support and promoting research. NAMI Rockland offers a variety of support groups for families whose relatives are living with mental health concerns such as autism, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, mood disorders, and oppositional disorders, among others. Groups are held for families and friends and for parents (in both English and Spanish). Go to namirockland.org for a complete list of support group meeting times and locations.
Parent Support Network
P.O. Box 284, Orangeburg
845-548-5911
The group’s priority is supporting, educating, and advocating for each other while raising children and adolescents with learning, emotional, developmental, social, or behavioral disorders. Their focus is on educational advocacy to help parents access appropriate education for their children. They also bring in speakers for meetings and conferences.
Parents Helping Parents
Street Community Center, 31 Zukor Road, New City
845-230-8045
Assists parents struggling with the behavior of their teen or adult children. Group meets Mondays from 7:15-9:15pm.
Rockland BIANYS Chapter
Helen Hayes Hospital
51-55 Route 9W N., West Haverstraw
Barry Dain: 914-420-4406
[email protected]
Provides friendship, information, a problem-solving forum, personal growth opportunities, and the chance to be reminded that families and caregivers of people with brain injuries are not alone on the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm.
Special Needs Support Groups in Bergen County, NJ
ASPEN Father’s Support Group
Cape Resource Center Conference Room
540 Farview Ave., Suite 1200, Paramus
Matt Root: [email protected]
Jim Hagarty: [email protected]
This group is specifically for fathers, grandfathers, and stepfathers of children with ASD. These men can come together to share their experiences living with and loving their kids. The group meets on the first Monday of each month from 7:30-10pm.
Autism Parent/Guardian Support Group
Moving On Life Center
121 Cedar Lane, Suite 101, Teaneck
201-837-8590
This support group comes together to discuss learning how to advocate for your child, how to work with school districts to enhance educational and social development, and how to balance the needs of your child with special needs with the rest of the family. Right now, there is a waiting list for the group, and once enough people sign up meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month from 6-7:30pm and the third Wednesday of each month from 12-1:30pm.
Bergen County Brain Injury Support Group
Englewood Hospital, 350 Engle St., Englewood
Jane and Joe Concato: 201-666-2015
This support group allows people with brain injuries and their families to meet other families in similar situations, gain emotional support and friendship, and obtain information and resources. Speakers also come in nearly every three months to discuss brain injury-related topics. Groups meet on the third Monday of every month, except December, from 6:30-8pm.
CarePlus NJ Parent Guidance
610 Valley Health Plaza, Paramus
CarePlus strives to enhance parenting skills through in-home support, mentorship, education, and empowerment. Guidance is geared toward parents whose kids are dealing with behavioral or emotional challenges.
CarePlus NJ Social Skills Group
17-07 Romaine St., Fair Lawn
Jennifer Loaiza: 201-797-2660 x5286
This parent support group runs concurrently to an eight-week support group for kids that aims to improve peer communication skills, problem-solving skills, frustration management, confidence, and cooperation—and help kids cope with rejection and/or bullying. In their own group, parents learn how to reinforce their child’s social skills.
Family Support Organization of Bergen County
0-108 29th St., Fair Lawn
201-796-6209 x102
FSOBC provides family-to-family peer support groups for families enrolled in Bergen’s Promise (the county’s care management organization for kids with special needs). FSOBC also provides support, education, and advocacy to families and caregivers of kids with emotional, behavioral, developmental, intellectual, and/or substance use challenges. Parent and caregiver support groups meet the first Monday of each month from 10-11:30am and weekly on Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support groups meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 12:45-2:15pm.
MOM2MOM Support Group
17-03A Broadway, Route 4 W., Fair Lawn
877-914-6662
The Mom2Mom helpline provides mental health and peer support to mothers of kids with special need and is staffed 24/7 by moms of children with special needs who have training in crisis support and peer counseling. The support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30pm. Interested people must RSVP to attend.
Putting The Pieces Together
363 4th St., 1st Floor, Lyndhurst
201-966-8738
This organization offers support groups, services, and a wide variety of activities for parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders. Speakers come to present for parents on weekday nights, and parent support groups are held during activities, such as dance competitions or soccer games, so parents can accomplish two things at once.
Special Needs Support Groups in Passaic County, NJ
MOM2MOM Support Group
17-03A Broadway, Route 4 West, Fair Lawn
877-914-6662
The Mom2Mom helpline provides mental health and peer support to mothers of kids with special need and is staffed 24/7 by moms of children with special needs who have training in crisis support and peer counseling. The support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30pm. Interested people must RSVP to attend.
Parents as Teachers
176 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Paterson
973-942-3630; intake line x11
This program allows parents to teach their peers how to be better parents—and be teachers during their child’s early development stages. Regular in-home visits provide participating parents with support, child evaluations, child development tracking, goal planning, and connections to resources.
Special Needs Support Groups in Essex County, NJ
NJ Statewide Parent Advocacy Network
35 Halsey St., Newark
973-642-8100
SPAN’s mission is to empower families with the right resources so their children with special needs (or children facing other challenges) can become fully participating members of their communities. The organization works to achieve this mission through providing resources and helping families navigate education and health systems, planning for life after graduation, and more.
Special Needs Support Groups in Middlesex County, NJ
Planning for Adult Life
985 Livingston Ave, North Brunswick
732-828-0972
This Arc of New Jersey program assists young adults with special needs between the ages of 16-21 with planning for adulthood. Information sessions, webinars, and resource guides focus on postsecondary education and employment, housing, legal and financial planning, self-direction, health, and more.
Special Needs Support Groups on Long Island
Nassau County
ADHD Parent and Teen Coaching, Education, and Support
Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ACAC
[email protected]
516-802-0593
Cindy Goldrich is a certified ADHD coach specializing in parenting children and teens with ADHD and executive function delays. Goldrich conducts a seven-session parent coaching workshop series in which specific strategies are developed to establish realistic rules and expectations, reduce homework stress, and improve compliance, self-advocacy, and communication skills. She also offers coaching for high school and college students, consults with teachers on behalf of students, and can help parents develop IEPs and 504 Plans for their children.
Asperger Syndrome & High Functioning Autism Association
Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Room 202, Plainview
888-918-9198
These support groups are for family members to meet and discuss the needs of their loved ones on the autism spectrum. There are separate groups for family members of individuals of all ages, tweens and teens, and older teens and adults.
CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Local Chapter of Nassau County
The East Meadow Jewish Center
1400 Prospect Ave., East Meadow
[email protected]
Shirelle Pearson: 516-242-3263
This group offers monthly meetings; call for more information. Parent training is available online and information for the trainings can be found from the CHADD national website: chadd.org.
Julie Cohen, LCSW
Great Neck
[email protected]
516-504-1881
This group specializes in helping couples navigate the ups and downs of parenting children with special needs while strengthening their care and connection with one another. Cohen offers periodic workshops in which parents come together to discuss their children with special needs and the difficulties and issues that go along with parenting children with special needs.
EPIC Long Island
1500 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
516-739-7733
Offers support groups for children and teens that have epilepsy, children who know someone with a seizure disorder, and parents of children who have epilepsy, as well as psychotherapy and medication management. The young adult support group is held on the first Wednesday of each month; professional support group is every second Wednesday of the month; and the parent support group is every fourth Tuesday of the month. All support groups are by appointment only.
Friendship Circle, Chabad of Great Neck
400 E. Shore Road, Great Neck
516-654-6000
[email protected]
This Jewish organization pairs children with special needs with caring, dedicated volunteers who form special relationships with them, and provides support to their families.
Friendship Circle, Chabad of Roslyn
75 Powerhouse Road, Roslyn Heights
210 Forest Drive, East Hills
516-484-3500
This group provides services and support for Jewish children and teens with special needs through the help of trained teen volunteers and professional therapists.
Friendship Connection Foundation
1500 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow
516-450-6103
This nonprofit serves the needs of adolescents and adults with learning and developmental disabilities, and their parents who are battling anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Meetings are held on Sundays at EPIC Long Island. Friendship Connection also hosts day trips and recreational activities for its members.
Gifted and Twice Exceptional and Families Network
Melissa Sornik, LCSW
268 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff
516-724-7100
Counseling and support for gifted/twice exceptional (2e) children and families.
Grandparent Advocates Supporting Autistic Kids
480 Old Westbury Road, Roslyn Heights
Dr. Sue Cohen: 516-484-2729 x402
This support and advocacy group is for concerned grandparents of children with autism, many of whom are also activists and lobbyists. All adult family members are welcome. Meetings are held at the guidance center’s Roslyn Heights location on the last Thursday of each month. Contact Dr. Cohen to confirm attendance.
Kindred Spirits: Parents of Children with Diabetes
The Community Church of East Williston
45 E. Williston Ave, East Williston
Lori Benzoni: 516-663-2112
Free monthly support group providing education, support, and camaraderie for parents of children with diabetes who are patients at Winthrop. Meetings are on Thursdays from 6:30-8pm.
Mental Health Association of Nassau County Family Resource Center
16 Main St., Hempstead
516-489-2322 • Help Line: 516-504-4357
Offers support groups that assist family members who have relatives with mental illnesses.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Queens/Nassau
1981 Marcus Avenue, C-117, Lake Success
516-326-0797
Provides education and support for groups for families of those with mental illnesses.
New Horizons Counseling Center
108-19 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park
718-845-2620
The center provides individual and family counseling in Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau County. Parent support groups and referrals to social agencies and other professionals are available. New Horizons serves a multicultural population with professionals on staff that are fluent in Spanish.
New York Families for Autistic Children
164-14 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach
347-566-3122
Call to learn about various services for families and fundraisers.
New York Self Determination Coalition
Provides resources for parents who are transitioning their children from school to self-directed lives.
North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center
480 Old Westbury Road, Roslyn Heights
516-626-1971
Children with developmental disabilities and their families can participate in parent and sibling support groups, along with children with various other mental health needs such as depression, anxiety, abuse, and ADHD. See the website for more details about the support services offered.
Parenting Resource Network
Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court, Oceanside
516-634-4341
Check the website for information about upcoming programs.
Parents of Hearing-Impaired Children Support Group
430 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park
The group meets at 7pm on the first Wednesday of every month in the lower level conference room at Long Island Jewish Medical Center Speech and Hearing Center. Free and open to the public. There are no meetings in July and August.
Resources for Special Needs Kids
Wantagh
A free online resource for parents with discussions on therapies, success stories, tips, and more about children on the spectrum or with developmental delays.
Suffolk County
Ariella’s NY Friendship Circle
The Chai Center of Dix Hills
501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
[email protected]
631-351-8672
The Friendship Circle extends a helping hand to families who have children with autism and other special needs. The Circle introduces teenage volunteers to the children through shared experiences, including Hip Hop, Teen Scene, Puppy Fun, Bowling Buddies, and more.
Asperger Syndrome & High Functioning Autism Association
775 Park Ave., 2nd Floor, Huntington (group for families of older teens and adults)
North Shore Youth Council, 272 N. Rocky Point Landing Road, Rocky Point (group for family members of individuals of all ages)
888-918-9198
These support groups provide a space for family members to discuss the needs of their loved ones on the autism spectrum.
Association for Mental Health and Wellness
939 Johnson Ave., Ronkonkoma (Wednesday group)
Brigette Kremens, Family Support Group facilitator
[email protected]; 631-471-7242 x1313
1380 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead (Tuesday group)
Kelli Regula, Family Support Group Facilitator
[email protected]; 631-471-7242 x1212
[email protected]
Provides weekly support groups and counseling services for friends and relatives of persons with mental illness.
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Stony Brook University, Putnam Hall, South Campus, Stony Brook
631-632-8850
Offers individual, group, and family therapy, including parent and social skills training and crisis/intensive behavioral interventions for children who identify as a Person with a Developmental Disability through the NYS OPWDD, along with comprehensive evaluations.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Local Chapter of Suffolk County
New Village Community Recreation Center,
20 Wireless Road, Centereach
[email protected]
Marie Elena Gandini, coordinator: [email protected]
This chapter offers support groups and lectures to provide support, education, and resources in the community.
DDI, Developmental Disabilities Institute
99 Hollywood Drive, Smithtown
631-366-2900
A nonprofit multi-site agency serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Provides educational, residential, day habilitation, vocational services, respite care, and Medicaid Service coordination. The DDI Parent and Advocacy Network is affiliated with DDI and is made up of families receiving services from DDI.
Eating Disorders Support Group
John T. Mather Memorial Hospital
75 N. Country Road, Port Jefferson
Sue Morin, RN: 631-473-3877 x7956
Monthly support group for people with eating disorders; family and friends welcome; registration is not required. Meets the first Monday of every month from 7-8:30pm.
St. Charles Hospital Support Groups
St. Charles Hospital – St. Camillus (BR1)
200 Belle Terre Road, Port Jefferson
631-474-6000
St. Charles offers support groups for a variety of issues, from Alcohol and Narcotics Anonymous to speech and communication, strokes, muscular dystrophy, brain injuries, and more.
Neurology Associates of Stony Brook
181 N. Belle Meade Road, East Setauket
631-444-2599
As Suffolk County’s only Child Neurology program based in an academic medical institution, the team works on the front lines of medicine to take care of children with neurological disorders. There are two specialty centers that provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment/long-term management of multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
South Shore Neurologic Associates at Brookhaven Memorial Medical Center for Individuals and Families
Epilepsy Patient Support Group
100 Hospital Road, 2nd Floor, Conference Room,
Patchogue
Amanda Pflumm, coordinator: 631-758-1910 x2111
631-666-3939
Free monthly support groups designed for epilepsy patients ages 18 and older, as well as families, loved ones, and caretakers of all individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders. This group meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 5:45-7:30pm.
Long Island Sibshops
Thompson Middle School, Syosset
631-805-2100
Ann Winter: [email protected]
Sibshops are held monthly on Saturdays from 11:00am-1pm. Siblings of children with special needs will enjoy games, crafts, fun discussions, and meet other siblings of children with special needs.
Our Little Heroes
Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Division of Pediatric Hemotology & Oncology,
HSC 11-029, Stony Brook
Nicole Gutman, newsletter editor: 631-444-7521
This support group for families of children with cancer provides a newsletter, quarterly support groups, and parties at least twice a year away from the hospital setting for children to see the medical staff in a non-hospital setting.
Parent to Parent of NYS Inc.
415A Oser Ave., Hauppauge
Valerie Colavecchio: [email protected]
Alissa Morris: [email protected]
631-434-6196
A place where families of individuals with special needs and the professionals who serve them can meet and share information. This organization provides 1-on-1 parent support, assistance in accessing services, educational advocacy, workshops, e-groups, and a comprehensive website of resources. A parent matching program pairs adults, based on their request, with a trained support parent who has a child with a similar disability or health care concern.
Suffolk Independent Living Organization
755 Waverly Ave., Holtsville
631-880-7929
This group assists parents with the many issues surrounding the education of children with disabilities, including advocacy and legal, communication, housing and shelter, information and referrals, transportation, and training.