Parent Support Groups
Parent Chat is a shoreline support group for families of special needs children. There are two groups that meet weekly. The evening group meets Tuesdays at 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at The Women and Family Life Center, 96 Fair St., Guilford, CT. The morning group meets Thursdays at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at KIDSTEPS – SARAH Inc, 51 Boston Post Road, Unit 9, Madison, CT. Child care is provided during the Thursday morning group only. Parents share ideas, concerns and information related to providing the best support and environment for their children. Educational materials and resources are available. This group provides a great opportunity to meet and talk with other parents and have fun. Both groups are facilitated by Deborah Pagano of the CT Family Support Network. For more information, or to register please contact Kathy Fadel of the KIDSTEPS Family and Children’s Center at: 203-318-3692 ext 2 or kidsteps-fcc@sarah-inc.org
Ct Family Support Network-Old Saybrook. First Wednesday of Month Support Group for Parents of Children with Disabilities and/or Special Health Care Needs, 6:00 PM. L&M Hospital Satellite, Old Saybrook. Contact April Dipollina at (860) 271-4371 or adipollina@lmhosp.org for more information and locations.
The Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center maintains a list of parent support groups throughout the state offered for families coping with mental illness or other disabilities
Agencies and Organizations
Connecticut Parent Support Network
The Connecticut Family Support Network is a statewide network of families who have children with disabilities and special health care needs.
Connecticut Collaborative to Improve Autism Services
Visit them on Facebook, where you’ll find updated information on recent breakthroughs in autism research and opportunities for ASD children and families.
This Connecticut not-for-profit provides information and links to support groups for Connecticut families coping with ASD.
The website provides a forum for parents and educators to share stories and offer support. The organization is dedicated to disseminating current information about autism research and providers.
SARAH is a family of agencies with programs to serve people of all ages and differing abilities. SARAH, Inc. services now reach from the greater New Haven region to Middlesex, New London and Windham counties. SARAH, Inc. provides early intervention, life skills, work training and employment supports to children and adults. KIDSTEPS is the infant/child division of SARAH.
High Road Student Learning Center
A out-placement option for in Wallingford, CT, for children with disabilities in grades 1 through 12.
For Your Research
Yale Child Study Center: Autism Program
Yale’s Child Study Center is a leader in autism research and treatment.
Learn about Carol Gray’s innovative technique for teaching children about social cues and perspective-taking.
Learn to shape your child’s behavior by setting clear expectations and delivering consistent rewards.
Parents’ Guide to Special Education in Connecticut
Become familiar with your child’s rights to assessment and accommodation in the classroom.
For Further Reading:
Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communications Problems by Jed Baker.