Support Groups

Autism Spectrum Support Groups

Charlotte County

Autism Speaks
Southwest Florida Branch (Formerly NAAR)
Contact Sharon Boyd for meeting dates and times or to be added to their mailing list for upcoming events. Port Charlotte, FL
Phone: 941-697-9772
Email: swflorida@autismspeaks.org

Collier County


Naples Spectrum Support Group
Meets the third Wednesday of the month.
Time: Meetings begin at 7:00pm
Location: Therapeutic Integration Services offices,
2960 Immokalee Rd #3, Naples, FL 34110
Contact: Angie Rue at 239-514-5010
Email: ruesugar@aol.com

Hillsborough County

KIDDS (Keys for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities)
Meets the 2nd Thursday of November, February, and April.
Time and Location will be provided when you RSVP.
To RSVP contact one of the following individuals.
Kris Zak via email at kriszak@earthlink.net
Phyllis Guthman via email at Phyllis.Guthman@sdhc.k12.fl.us
To leave a voice message, please call 813-837-7735.

Concerned Parents of Autistic Children
Meets the last Sunday of the month from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Nature's Health Food Store in Valrico
(Corner of Lithia Pinecrest Road and Bloomingdale
at the Publix Shopping Plaza)
Contact: Dr. Moursi 813-643-9393


PASS (Parents of Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Support)
Meets the first Friday of the month (except during the summer) at the
Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico, FL

The meeting schedule can be found at http://www.ideasaboutautism.com/pass .

Contact Liisa at liisaneumann@tampabay.rr.com for more information or to be put on their contact list.

Asperger's Syndrome moderated support group for adults.

Stephen Kreitzer M.D. has arranged for Ben Graffam, Ph.D. to moderate a support group for adults above the age of 18 to meet at the Memorial Hospital of Tampa, 2919 Swann Ave., two times per month on Thursday evenings.

Dr. Kreitzer has been subsidizing 50% of the costs and the group participants pay the other 50%. The cost to attend is currently $25 per session. Family members do not attend but may greet Dr. Graffam after the session. Dr. Kreitzer asks that if you are going to attend that you must RSVP.

Please respond to krei513@aol.com if you are interested and to get more details.

Lauren's Link (Sibling Support Group)
A fun, supportive group for school-age kids who have a sibling with special needs.

Location: St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road (at Bloomingdale Ave.) in Brandon. Family Life Center Bldg., Room 304.

Meets: 2nd Friday of the month from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.

Contact: Kris at 813-671-1038 (Evenings) or contact MaryJo by email at wsmith68&tampabay.rr.com


STAND (Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities)
Hillsborough Monthly Chapter Meetings (All disabilities)
Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Location: Children’s Board of Hillsborough County
1002 E. Palm Avenue, Tampa
Email: advocate@standonline.info

The Special Parents Support Group will be held at Independent Living, Inc. in North Tampa every second and fourth Wednesday evening of the month at 6:30 pm. Child care will be provided free of charge at this location. The first group will be held on January 24th, 2007.

The Special Parents Support Group will also be held at Wholistic Pediatrics every first and third Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm for those that are interested.

The Special Parents Support Group is a therapeutic support group for parents and primary caregivers of children with special needs. The children can be any age and with any special needs or disability.

Please feel free to check out the webpage at: http://www.specialparentsupport.com or contact Lydia Abrams, LCSW at 813-299-0086 for more information. Please notify Lydia of your interest before attending your first group.

Lee County

Adonis Autism Center of Southwest Florida
Time: 2nd Tuesday (monthly), 7:00 p.m.
Place: Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ft. Myers Room 206
Contact: Beth Bashaw, President of the Adonis Autism Center of SW Florida. Phone: 239-995-1794
Website: http://www.adonisautismflorida.com

Southwest Florida ASA Chapter #555
Contact: Fran Swanson, 239-768-0723
Please call for meeting times.

Pasco (North) County
(Hernando County has the closest group)

Hernando Autism Parenting & Personal Experience Network (HAPPEN)
Time: 3rd Wednesday (monthly), 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location : Pediatric Therapy Works
Contact: Leslie Bolen at 352-683-0209 for directions

Pasco County

A.W.A.R.E 4 Autism
(Are We Awake Ready & Educated for Autism?)

Time: 7pm 3rd Tuesday of Every month

Location:
Holiday Recreation Complex.
2830 Gulf Trace Blvd
Holiday Fl 34691

Contact: Monica Bice at 727-945-0947
or Email: AWARE4Autism@msn.com



AWARE 4 Autism in East Pasco

East Pasco Support Group for caregivers of individuals with autism and anyone on the autism spectrum

We are committed to promoting autism awareness in our community by working with public schools, childcare centers and local law enforcement

When: First Saturday of every month

Time: 2-4pm

Where: First Congragational Church, 7900 Fort King Rd., Zephrhills

For more information please contact: Johanna at 813-782-9431 or send an e-mail to aware4autism@gmail.com

Rock of Refuge Support Group
Group covers all special needs/disabilities, including autism, ADHD, mental retardation and physical disabilities.
Time: 1st Monday (monthly), 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: Victorious Life Church, Chapel, Bldg. 300,
6224 Old Pasco Rd., Wesley
Sheri Nelson, Group Facilitator
Church phone number: 813-973-2230


Koolkidz Social Group for Children with ASD
Social Group for Children and families living with the challenges of autism and Asperger's Syndrome!

Contact Suzette Fleiss at suzette@koolkidz.mysite.com for any questions.

Please visit http://www.koolkidz.mysite.com/ to see current events!

Peer-Support Group

(Announcement from Mike McKovely, Consumer With NAMI)

CARD Note: This is a mental health support group that might be appropriate for adults with Asperger's Disorder who are challenged by a second diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder, etc.

Support groups provide a forum for mutual acceptance, understanding and self-discovery.

Peer-Support Groups give people who share a similar relationship with mental illness an opportunity to regularly share and support each other, enabling them to successfully live with their individual circumstances.

Peer-Support Groups help to:
• increase knowledge in areas of “Adult Daily Living” management
• create a greater comfort level in dealing with the emotional aspects of
• mental illness
• make healthy life style changes
• enlarged support networks
• increase awareness of community resources

All of the above can be experienced every first and third Wednesday of the month at Community Hospital of New Port Richey, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in the conference room.

Pinellas County

Gulf Coast ASA Chapter #134
Time: 2nd Wednesday (monthly), 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Abilities in Clearwater, 2735 Whitney Rd., Clearwater
Contact: Filomena MacDonald, 727-789-0082

Please note: We are canceling our January meeting due to the low attendance we had all last year. The board is meeting to decide whether we should meet just every other month. If any of you have any ideas or comments please feel free to e-mail me at: filomena@macdonald.net or call 727-786 4292.
Filomena Macdonald, Gulfcoast Autism Society

Polk County

Circle of Friends Support Group
Non specific to any one disability.
For the next Circle of Friends Parent's Meeting, please call Lynne Pabani for place and time at the Circle at 863-679-2507. Meetings are every other Thursday of the month in Winter-Haven Hospital, and the other in the Circle Building on Stuart Ave.

Parental Education for Autism in Children Everywhere (PEACE)
Time: 1st Tuesday (Monthly) 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Place: Family Fundamentals Bldg.
1021 Lakeland Blvd., Lakeland
Contact: Nicole 863-686-1221 ext 228 or email Nikki73170@aol.com
Website: http://www.peacelakeland.com/

Parents Rallying for Individuals with Disabilities Everywhere!
(P.R.I.D.E.) Non specific to any one disability.
Time: 3rd Thursday (Monthly) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Place: Family Fundmentals Bldg.
1021 Lakeland Blvd., Lakeland
Contact: Connie Carter, 863-701-1151 X-141
Nicole Torres, 863-686-1221

Sarasota County

South Florida Autism Coalition
Pinnacle Academy
833 Magellan Drive
Sarasota FL 34243
7 PM 3rd Thursday every month
Phone at the school: (941) 755-1400