How To Find Autism Parent Support Groups Near Me
Studies make it clear that support groups for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder are beneficial. They bring together parents with similar experiences to learn and share. Unfortunately, these groups are underutilized, especially by families with lower incomes or who are minorities.
Awareness of and access to support groups are ongoing issues. In this article, we explain:
- Why it’s so important to get support
- What autism support groups offer
- How to find one in your area
To access more caregiving resources, support groups, and webinars, check if you have free access to Trualta.
Why Are Support Groups Important For Parents Of Children With Autism?
Parenting a child with autism comes with unique challenges. There are often communication barriers and behavioral issues. Some children with autism need dedicated caregivers around the clock. Families of children with autism also face stigma and misunderstanding in the community.
Finances and services can also be issues, as families struggle to fund care or access needed services. Parents also have the added worry of how their children will transition into adulthood.
Parents of individuals with disabilities often suffer poorer physical and mental health as a result of these added challenges. They may not eat well, get enough sleep, or exercise because of the time and energy caregiving requires. The stress and isolation associated with raising a child with autism can lead to depression, loneliness, and anxiety.
Support groups can’t solve every challenge, but they can make a meaningful difference for parents in several ways:
- Connection and community: Support groups bring together parents who might otherwise feel isolated or alone, helping them build lasting friendships and a supportive network based on shared experiences.
- Emotional support: They provide a safe space for parents to share experiences and feelings with others who truly understand, offering empathy, encouragement, and relief.
- Learning and growth: Parents can gain valuable insights into autism and caregiving from professionals and real-life advice shared during group discussions.
- Access to resources: Support groups often connect families with services and community resources, making it easier to find the help they need.
- Confidence and empowerment: By learning from others and getting peer support, parents become more confident in their caregiving skills and ability to advocate for their child.
What Do Autism Support Groups Offer?
Support groups for parents of children with autism vary in:
- What they offer
- The format of the group
Some groups use in-person meetings only, while others meet online or offer both types of meetings.
Some groups offer forums. A forum is an online community resource that allows you to post messages, get responses, and respond to others. Conversations don’t happen in real time, but they can be a useful way to access support at any time of day.
Support groups can be led by a healthcare professional, a social worker, or a therapist. These groups are often structured and may include educational resources, as well as access to services or advocacy. Other groups are either peer-led or less structured.
Resources For Finding Support Groups Near You
Challenges with finding a support group can be a barrier to benefiting from this valuable service. Here are some resources and ideas to help you find an in-person group or an online group that meets your needs.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is one of the most valuable resources for finding information and support about autism wherever you live in the U.S. As an advocacy group, Autism Speaks also provides families with tools, information, and support.
Autism Speaks is a great general resource for anything you need to know about parenting an autistic child. Their site provides tools for finding support groups for parents, but also for individuals with autism.
The Autism Response Team (ART) is a great way to get started working with Autism Speaks. It employs a team of Certified Resource Specialists. One of these professionals will work with you to provide personalized resources, referrals, and information.
Autism Speaks says that at least 20% of its ART requests are to help people find community support and connections to peer or parent support groups. The ART team has plenty of experience connecting individuals to the support they need.
Autism Society
Autism Speaks is a large nationwide organization that can offer a lot of help, but it’s not the only one families with autism rely on. The Autism Society is another great resource for parents and families.
The Autism Society has been advocating for individuals with autism since 1965. It offers:
- Resources
- Community programming
- Education
- Advocacy
It also has local affiliates in each state to provide more localized, tailored support.
Your state’s Autism Society affiliate group is a great place to start when looking for more information. The office can help you access services, get information, share resources, and connect with local, in-person support groups for parents and families. Not every state has an affiliate group, but there are 70 across the country, serving about 500,000 people.
National Autism Association
The National Autism Association (NAA) was founded in 2003 by parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. It remains a parent-run organization that understands the particular needs of families and parents. The primary focus of NAA is to assist with urgent needs in the autism community. This includes severe autism, safety, autism abuse, and crisis prevention.
While the NAA does not host its own support groups, it advocates for this type of support for autism families. It can help you find and access a local support group. If you need more urgent assistance, contact NAA directly for more information and help.
Association For Autism And Neurodiversity
The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) aims to help individuals with autism and other types of neurodivergency enjoy a connected and meaningful life. AANE brings together individuals, families, parents, communities, and professionals to reach this goal.
Building community is a big part of what AANE does to help individuals and families. Part of that mission includes creating and offering support groups and online forums. These include groups for people with autism and groups for parents of children (including young children, teens, young adults, and adults) with autism.
You must register for the group, which might be a single session or multiple sessions. Some of these are free, but most are available for a fee.
Trualta
Trualta’s caregiver support groups are created to support caregivers at any stage of their journey. Thanks to the virtual format, you can connect with others and find support without ever leaving home.
We understand that every caregiving situation is unique, so our groups are tailored to meet your specific needs. You can choose support group meetings based on:
- Your loved one’s condition, such as a support group for autism caregivers.
- Your relationship to the person you care for, like a parent support group or sibling support group.
- How you prefer to participate, including drop-in sessions, regular weekly sessions, or options for anonymous sharing.
You can check if you have free access here.
State & Local Resources
National organizations have the resources and reach to help many individuals. Sometimes, it’s more useful for a family to reach out to organizations closer to home. Connect with your state’s health or human services department for information about statewide services and local groups that may be able to help you and your family members.
For example, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services has a Children’s Autism Program. The program provides family support for families of children with autism in Texas. More broadly, the agency provides services and access to resources for families and individuals with disabilities.
Many local organizations also list resources for parents of children with autism, including local support groups. For example, this list includes specific parent support groups in New York City, while this list compiles autism resources and support groups throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area.
Reach out to other local organizations in your community for more information about in-person meetings for parents or siblings. Your local religious groups or community centers might host parent support groups, for example. Your local school district may also have more information or access to support groups.
References
- Mandell, D. S., & Salzer, M. S. (2007). Who joins support groups among parents of children with autism?. Autism, 11(2), 111-122.
- Autism Speaks. (n.d.). Finding your community.
- National Autism Association. (n.d.). Home.
- Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE). (n.d.). Home.
- Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Children’s Autism Program.
