Special Needs Support Groups in Essex and Union Counties

One of the positive aspects of having a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is that there is so much support out there for you!  You just have to find it and navigating the internet through tons of websites and even more pages, tabs & links can be quite stressful.  However, the information and services you receive can actually help alleviate some of your stress, so if you’re not computer-savvy, or just can’t seem to bring yourself to spend hours looking for all these services, go to a support group.  One of your best resources is other parents who are going through the same thing, and contact with other adults is so much more beneficial than sitting in front of a computer.  Sometimes I yearn for adult conversation after being with my boys all day.  (Don’t get me wrong, I love my boys to death but sometimes it gets to the point that if I talk about Transformers one more time I’m going to completely lose it.)  There are other things I want to talk about, other people I want to talk to, and other places I want to be at times.  A support group is a really great way to do all these things, and get some inner peace and great information while you’re there! 

ESSEX COUNTY

Essex County AUTISM Support Group (Verona)

This support group is for parents and caregivers of children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders.  The group meets the first Monday of each month from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Ahm.  For more information, please contact Michele Havens @ 201-486-5607, or mhavens523@aol.com.

ASPEN of Essex County (West Orange)

This support group is for parents and caregivers of children who have Asperger’s or any other autism spectrum disorder.  ASPEN of Essex County will meet the third Monday of each month from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center.   For more information, please contact Anita Finkel at 973-669-5757 or ednee@aol.com.

ASAP (Autista Soy Amame Pacientemente) (Newark)

Autism support group for the Spanish-speaking community.  Serves the areas of Newark, Belleville, Kearny, Nutley, Bloomfield, and Clifton.  The group meets at 229 Grafton Avenue, #3, Newark, NJ.  For meeting dates and times, please contact Luis Yepez @ 973-484-0863 or luisyepez21@msn.com, or Dina Alcocer at 201-997-0656 or dinaalcocer12@hotmail.com.

UNION COUNTY

ASPEN of Union County (Edison)

This support group is for parents and caregivers of children who have Asperger’s or any other autism spectrum disorder.  ASPEN of Middlesex/Union County will meet the one Wednesday each month from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County.  For meeting dates and other information, please contact Lori Shery at 732-321-0880 or aspenorg@aol.com.

Union County AUTISM Support Group (Mountainside) 

This support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders.  The group will meet on the following days:  June 28, 2011, August 23, 2011, October 25, 2011, and December 6, 2011, at the Children’s Specialized Hospital.  For information regarding meeting times and other issues, please contact the facilitator, Nancy Arvizzigno at nancycounselor@yahoo.com.