Autism NJ sponsors sixteen parent and family support groups throughout New Jersey. Support groups provide opportunities for parents to learn more about autism, to access information about services and treatments, and to offer and receive support. Most groups meet once per month with the facilitation of a professional who is hired and supervised by Autism NJ. Some meetings feature guest speakers on various autism-related topics. All parents and family members of individuals with autism are welcome to attend. No advance registration is required.
If you have any questions about a support group, feel free to call the contact person for that group. To be added to the mailing list for the group in your area or to confirm any dates, locations and times, please call Autism NJ's Support Group Information line at 609-883-8100, ext. 28 or e-mail supportgroups@autismnj.org.
Click here for directions.
For additional support group resources, click here.
Bergen County
Meeting Dates: March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4
Location/Time: Mt. Carmel Church, 1 Passaic Street, Ridgewood from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Rory Panter, Psy.D.
Parent Contact: Gary Lahm 201-503-9476
Camden County
Meeting Dates: February 23, March 23, April 27, May 18, June 22
Location/Time: YCS Sawtelle South, West Collingswood, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Amy Golden, M.S., BCBA
Parent Contact: Contact Autism New Jersey
Essex County
Meeting Dates: March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7
Location/Time: Congregation Beth Ahm, Verona from 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Group Facilitator: Michele Havens, Ed.D.
Parent Contact: Contact Autism New Jersey
Hudson County
Meeting Dates: March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2
Location/Time: Jewish Community Center, Bayonne, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Tamara Bannon, LMSW, BCBA
Parent Contact: Patti Kennedy 201.823.9541
Hunterdon County
Meeting dates: March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14
Location/Time: JW Tumbles, Clinton from 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Group Facilitator: Nancy Arvizzigno, MA, LPC
Parent Contact: Mary Beth Ruchlin 908-730-7002 (day) or 908-387-1383 (evening)
Mercer County
Meeting dates: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18
Location/Time: YMCA, 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08620, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D.
Parent Contact: Kelly Lutz 609-584-8825 (evening & weekends)
Middlesex County
Meeting dates: March 4, April 15, May 6, June 24
Location/Time: Raritan Valley Academy Professional Development Center, 1690 Stelton Road, Conference Room A, Piscataway, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D.
Contact: Laura Turci (732) 980-9008
Monmouth County
Meeting dates:
February 25 meeting canceled due to inclement weather,
March 25, April 22, May 27, June 24
Location/Time: Monmouth County Library, Manalapan, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D.
Parent Contacts: Contact Autism New Jersey
Morris
Please note there was a misprint in Autism New Jersey’s Spring Calendar. The Morris County Support Group typically meets every third Monday.
NEW GROUP!
Meeting dates: February 22, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 24
Location/Time: The Calais School in Whippany from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Group Facilitator: Rory Panter, Psy. D.
Parent Contact: Contact Autism New Jersey
Morris/Sussex/Warren Counties
Meeting dates: February 24, March 24, April 28, May 26, June 23
Location/Time: Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Group Facilitator: Rory Panter, Psy D.
Parent Contact: Jodi Pimentel 973-663-2505
Ocean County
Meeting dates: March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10
Location/Time: Children's Specialized Hospital, Toms River, 7:30 to 9:30 PM
Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D.
Parent Contacts: Maria and Brandon Chonobroff 732.961.7189
Union County
Meeting dates: February 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22
Location/Time: Children's Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM
Group Facilitator: Nancy Arvizzigno, MA, LPC
Parent Contacts: Please call Autism New Jersey, 609.883.8100, ext. 45
Parents of Adults
Meeting dates: February 16 cancelled due to weather, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15
March 16th Meeting: Sspeaker, Greg Makely, NJ Wins Project Director, presenting information on “Social Security Disability Insurance” (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Location/Time: Montclair Kimberly Academy, Montclair, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Group Facilitator: Barbara Wells
Parent Contact: Alice Hirsh 973-324-2131
Parents Who Speak Spanish - Hudson County
Padres Ayudando a Padres.
Dates: March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3
Location/Time: Iglesia San Augustin, de 7:00 pm a 9:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Claudia Moreno, Ph.D.
Parent Contact: Susana Albistur 201-864-7262
Parents Who Speak Spanish - Essex County
Padres Ayudando a Padres.
Dates: March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1
Location/Time: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Newark, 8:00 to 10:00 pm
Group Facilitator: Claudia Moreno, Ph.D.
Parent Contact: Contact Autism New Jersey
Autism NJ's Sibling Pen Pal Program
Autism NJ operates a pen pal list for sisters and brothers of individuals with autism or related disorders. To join the program, please download and complete the sign-up form. For more information, contact Gale Rainier at mailto:grainier@autismnj.org
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Click below for additional listings of support groups
:
Support Groups for parents of children with autism or related disorders
ASPEN Support Groups for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome, and for Adults with Asperger's and High Functioning Autism
Additional Support Groups