Support Groups for Aspergers
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Support Groups for Aspergers
June 2009
I'm a parent in my fifties who has just come to the realization
that I have Asperger's. Its a self-diagnosis based on a lot of
on-line tests and the research I have done re: my son, who has
Asperger's too. I have no friends in the Bay Area, and have a
lot of trouble making/keeping friends. Does anyonehave any
advice for me? Or know of support groups for adults in the
East Bay?
Aspie mom
I have a friend who is also an adult with Asperger's, and she has
a great web site that includes resources and local group ideas:
http://lbnuke.com/resources/ She thinks all the groups in the
Bay Area are in SF, but she is also in the East Bay so if you
find anything else she'd love to hear about it! I'm glad that you
are reaching out and hope you find some good connections.
Aspie Ally
There IS an adult support group in the east bay which
specializes in socialization skills for Asperger's and
related diagnoses. Communication Works in Oakland 510-639-2929,
www.cwtherapy.com - is a reputable resource I highly recommend
you connect with! Their helpful staff offer services designed to
assist your son also. My family is benefitting greatly with the
help of CW. I encourage you to contact them asap. Feel free to
email me also, if you'd like. I welcome it.
Liz
I am forgetting whether the person with Asperger's seeking
friends mentioned whether they were male or female, but Helmut
Relinger, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in Berkeley who
provides cognitive behavioral therapy for teenagers and young
men, and his offerings include social skill groups for
individuals with Asperger's. I have heard him talk about his
groups, and I believe he emphasizes having clients organize and
meet up for casual activities in the community together. Good
luck!
Anonymous
I've been hesitant to reply to this, but here goes...
I'm a 43 year old professionally diagnosed male Aspie. The
''professionally diagnosed'' part is important because self
diagnosis is very fashionable these days (''Sometimes
uncomfortable at parties? That's totally me.'') Professionally
guided classes and groups that help you to function with NTs (NT
= Neurotypical = not Aspergers) that are not willing or able to
meet you and your Aspergers halfway are important and useful, but
if you are looking to expand your social network, they may even
be a bad thing.
Deeper friendships with NTs are perfectly possible. I'm married
to an NT and we have an excellent relationship and a lovely 12
month old daughter. It is, however, very important that you be
able to be yourself around them and make sure that they
understand you sooner rather than later. No matter how much
cognitive training you take, it will always be a layer on top.
Give NTs some credit for ability to ''get'' Aspies if you are up
front about it. They're better at it than you think.
There are Adult Asperger groups run by Aspies here and there (one
meets in the SF main library).
Rich
June 2009
I am looking for other parents with children or adolescents with
Aspergers ( or other nuerological challenges). I am interested both
in something on line as well as meeting other parents. I am
interested in developing some support and community.
mom of nuero diverse youth
Hi,
What a great idea.
I live in Berkeley and have a 9 yr old son with Aspergers. It is very
mild and almost imperceptible. The Doctor who diagnosed warned that
that had its own problem because kids don't see it at first and then
his love of facts and sometimes mildly ''off'' comments and answers to
questions make him easy to tease. He is very bright and a sponge for
knowledge and reading and facts. Also athletic and musical. But few
friends his own age. I would be interested in finding other similar
children and their families. Anyone else out there with a similar child?
amydc
There is a parent support group for parents of kids with Aspergers and
related disorders that meets monthly in Walnut Creek at the Barnes &
Noble.
http://www.aspergersresource.org/support_group_dates.html
There are many, many other support groups and agencies, and you will
find references to them on that site too.
That site has MANY resources assembled by local mom Karra Barber, who
is a force of nature and wonderful resource for us all.
good luck and good for you for reaching out for more support.
- Nancy
My cousin has a support group in Oakland that sounds like something
you might want to try. Her contact information is: Oakland Hills
Parent Support Group: Laura Stritzel: Laura2562@sbcglobal.net.
There is also a list of other support groups on our website at
http://www.cwtherapy.com/supportorg.html.
Hope this helps!
Warm Regards,
Elizabeth
Feb 2008
Does anyone know of a support group for parents of Asperger's teens and
young adults? Thanks.
Parent of newly diagnosed young adult
There's a public support group at the Barnes & Noble in
Walnut Creek for parents of autism spectrum children every
month, usually with very good speakers. It's a great place
to connect with other parents who are without a doubt your
best resource for learning more about how to help your
child. Here's the url for their website:
http://www.aspergersresource.org/support_group_dates.html.
Although this group mostly draws families of younger
children, often with more severe symptoms, it's nonetheless
a great place to pick up leads. Hope that helps.
Aspie mom
There is a fantastic support group for parents of Aspergers
young adults and teens after high school that meets about
once a month at The Springstone School in Lafayette, 1035
Carol Lane (on the site of Our Savior's Lutheran Church).
The next meeting is Monday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. The
group is free and includes a core of compassionate,
intelligent and savvy parents who have helped me more, as
the parent of an Aspergers son, than any physician, speech
therapist or neuropsychologist around. I always make the
trip through the tunnel from my home in Oakland for these
meetings. You might also be interested in an upcoming all
day workshop on ''Post-High School Transition Planning for
Young Adults with Aspergers, NLD and other Neurocognitive
Deficits,'' to be held at Orion Academy in Moraga on April
12. See the flyer at:
http://orionacademy.org/documents/2008_Transition_Seminar.pdf.
My heart goes out to you.
Aspie Mom
July 2003
Looking for Asperger's support group in local East Bay.
Any leads? thanks much
Try contacting the Learning Disabilities Association, East
Bay Branch. You can reach them on the web. Good luck.
Linda
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