Raising a child with special needs can be challenging. Find support by connecting with other families, parents, and caregivers in your community who have kids with special needs. Read on to find a group in Fairfield county and the surrounding areas.
Apraxia Resource Center of Connecticut (ARCC)
P.O. Box 3246, New Haven
203-521-6112
A statewide nonprofit that provides education, support, and resources to families affected by Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
ASRC Sibling, Shoreline Area, Wives of Men with Aspergers Syndrome, Autism Parents Support Groups
203-776-3211
Various parent support groups available throughout Connecticut.
Autism Parent’s Group
Wilton
Patti Sylvia: 203-761-0248
pattisylvia@aol.com
This group, which meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm at John’s Best Restaurant (1 Danbury Rd., Wilton), gives parents of children on the autism spectrum a chance to support each other.
Autism Society of Connecticut
888-453-4975
This state chapter of the national Autism Society of America sponsors a number of support groups throughout the state and maintains an extensive network of other support groups in the area.
Autism Spectrum Resource Center
101 N. Plains Industrial Road, Harvest Park, Building A, Wallingford
203-265-7717
For individuals, families, and professionals involved with autism spectrum disorders. Offers resources, parent support groups for those with children of various ages, workshops, conferences, and other services.
Connecticut Family Support Network
877-FSN-2DAY (376-2329)
The Connecticut Family Support Network is a statewide network of families who have children with disabilities and special health care needs that is interested in helping other parents find the support they need to become their child’s best advocate.
Danbury Autism Spectrum Parent Group
203-870-5641
This parent-run group, for parents and caregivers of children with ASD, meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT.
Epilepsy Support Groups (through Epilepsy Foundation of CT)
Multiple Locations
800-899-3745
Dedicated to improving the lives of people with epilepsy and their families through programs, services, and the five local support groups listed online.
Friends of Autistic People
Greenwich
203-661-8510
A parents’ support group dedicated to bringing about an environment where adult children with autism can be assured of high-quality care after they turn 21.
GRASP Support Group
1080 Post Road, Fairfield
Offers a peer-run support group that tackles issues such as family, anxiety, and assimilation. Membership is free.
North Star Support Group for Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders or Developmental Delays
First Congregational Church of Derby, Derby
Cathy: 203-751-2417
Natalie: 203-305-2468
A friendly and supportive place to meet other parents, learn from each other, and access resources, meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm.
Parent Chat through Kidsteps Family & Children’s Center, a division of SARAH, Inc.
246 Goose Lane, Suite 101, Guilford
203-453-7592 x2
The mission of the Family and Children Center is to meet the needs of families who are concerned about their child’s social, emotional, and physical development as well as their educational success.
Parent Support Group at Northwestern CT Community College
Winsted
Sharon: 860-693-9128
Robert: 860-738-6386
This group, facilitated by Sharon Cable (parent) and Dr. Robert Beck (NCCC faculty member and director of the Behavioral Studies program in the college), offers an evening support group for parents and caregivers of children with autism.
Parent to Parent/One-to-One Matches through Abilis
1150 Summer St., Stamford
203-324-1880 x336
This program offers a number of support options including one-to-one matching of parents and families who have kids with special needs with trained listeners who have had similar experiences.
Pizza Moms
847 Post Road, Darien
Nanette: nanette618@gmail.com
A support group for moms with special needs children in which the moms meet for pizza and beer (or special orders) on the first Tuesday of every month at Post Corner Pizza restaurant.
Pizza Parents Support Group
Branford
Tesha: 203-710-3041
Parents of children with any disability meet other parents and share the obstacles and miracles in their lives.
Rhythms of Grace (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church)
25 Church St., Shelton
203-929-1772
Comprised of a team of professionals in Christian Formation, Special Education, and Sacramental Liturgics that developed a fun, play-based curriculum for children with special needs and their parents and caregivers that honors the Anglican tradition and maintains a dignified liturgy.
SEPTO Network (Special Education Parent Teacher Organization Network)
Based in Milford, includes multiple CT towns; 203-640-8017
SEPTO Network is designed to provide vital information and support, help parents understand special education issues, equip parents to hold schools accountable for effective educational results, and advance the quality of special education services.
Shoreline CT Down Syndrome Support Group
Madison
Ellen: 203-421-3591
A casual and relaxed support group for parents, siblings, and friends of children with Down syndrome in which they gather informally and periodically to discuss current issues and support each other.
Special Education PTA, Inc., Fairfield
Stephanie Buesinger, president:
fairfieldseptapresident@gmail.com
The association speaks on behalf of youth in the schools, in the community, and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; helps parents develop the skills needed to raise and protect their children; and encourages parent and public involvement in the public schools in Fairfield.
St. Vincent’s Autism and Developmental Services
47 Long Lots Road, Westport
203-341-4501
Provides children and teen social skills groups, sibling groups, parent support groups, and parent workshops. In addition, the Center’s multi-disciplinary team offers diagnostic testing and evaluation, clinical counseling, and educational support.
St. Vincent’s Special Needs Family Center
St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services Family Center, 95 Merritt Blvd., Trumbull
203-386-2743; 203-386-2714
Family Support staff members combine their personal and professional experience to assist families with specific questions and concerns by offering community resource information and advocacy support as well as the empathetic ear of “someone who has been there.”
STAR Foundation Inc.
182 Wolfpit Ave., Norwalk
203-846-9581
This nonprofit serves individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities as well as providing services to their families and creating opportunities for individuals to lead full lives with independence, freedom of choice, and personal growth.
Tourette Syndrome Association Connecticut Chapter
At Builders Beyond Borders, 8 Willard Road, Norwalk
Pete: 203-499-7789
Roberta: 203-415-6063
The mission is to educate the general public about TS, to nurture a feeling of acceptance and tolerance toward people with TS in all settings, and promote a strong level of personal support and interaction among families and the community at large.
Trumbull Parents of Students with Learning Differences
tpsld@yahoo.com
A town-wide parent support group that offers resources and information for children with or without special needs. TPLSD works closely with Trumbull Public School’s department of Pupil Services.
We Belong Parent Support Group
Westport
evagreenwald@sbcglobal.net
This group of parents, teachers, and therapists is committed to the inclusion of children with disabilities in education, social and recreation opportunities, life in the community, and employment.
We’re Special Too! (“Sibshops”)
20 York St., New Haven
203-688-6880
This program for siblings was created in 1995 by The Friends of Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital to assist the brothers and sisters of children with chronic or terminal illness or special health care needs.
West Haven Parent Support Group
West Haven City Hall
355 Main St., West Haven
Wendy Harkin: 203-937-3565
Karen Muro: karenmmuro@aol.com
This group invites parents, grandparents, caregivers, and friends of a child with special needs to attend a meeting on the second Monday of every month.
See Also:
Parent Support Groups in Westchester
Parent Support Groups in Rockland
