Hillsborough County

FriendZone (St. James United Methodist Church)
FriendZone is a monthly 3 hour respite ministry that provides parents and caregivers of special needs children a time of refreshment on designated Saturday mornings from 10 am -1pm. Through art, music, games, pets and activities, children ages 2-16 are shown the love of Christ by trained and background checked adult and youth ministry servants.

Siblings are not left out of the fun as they are able to participate in the sister ministry, SuperSibs! Sibs ages 4 years and up can stay on the church campus to enjoy the FriendZone experience with their special sib or they can be part of off-site fun with other sibs participating in such activities as bowling, mini golf, movies, etc. A parent orientation is required prior to your child's/family's enrollment.

Please contact Sally DePalma at specialconnections@stjamestampa.org or call 813-971-4790 ext 234 to schedule an appointment.
Updated 2/28/2011

Chelsea’s Voice Support Group Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2011 . . . Time: 7:30 pm
Location: 18706 Pepper Pike Lane, Lutz, FL  33558
A voice for children with disabilities and their families (parents, grandparents, caregivers, siblings, etc.). Helping to build universally accessible playgrounds, advocacy, equipment needs, family support, IEP assistance and raising awareness. Making a difference for our children who need our voice to live up to their ABILITIES.
Contact: Veleria Fabiszak, Parent & Advocate
Email: veleriafab@hotmail.com . . .Phone: (813) 388-9092 or (619) 253-6928
Added: 4/15/2011

Mane H.I.T. Autism Support Meet Up Group
Organized by Nelson Mane, D.C.
Tampa, FL
http://www.meetup.com/Mane-H-I-T-Autism-Support-Squad/
Updated 6/23/2010

Concerned Parents of Autistic Children
Meets the last Sunday of the month from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: 9631 Raiden Lane, Riverview FL 33569.
Contact: Jim Evans by Email: jim.evans@sqldbhelp.com
Updated 3/10/2009

Asperger's Support Group for Adults
2901 Swann Avenue, Tampa, Florida
Every other Thursday at 7pm - 8pm
$30 per session
Jason Tompkins, LCSW (813-784-0153) facilitates a support group for men and women with Asperger's Syndrome. The group focuses on building new relationships as well as enhancing current relationships, job issues, and family struggles. Ideal group members are at least 18 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome.

(Note: Before attending the group there is an intake session that cost $50. This is held at Mr. Tompkins' office in South Tampa. (806 W De Leon Street) The intake is to ensure participants are a match for the group.)
Updated 11/1/2011.

Easter Seals THRIVE program.
THRIVE is a parent training program and a monthly support group for parents of children with autism.
Location: Thrive Office, 10335 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite E, Tampa
Contact: Tori at 813-988-7633 x-15119 for dates or information.
Website: http://fl.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=FLDR_TBThrive
Updated 6/2/2009

Autism Support Group for Parents
Meetings: The first Wednesday of every month
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Children 5 and under welcome. Cost is $5
Location: Gymboree Play & Music North Tampa
14317 N. Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, Florida 33618
Phone: (813) 264-1123
Email: ntampafl@gymboreeclasses.com
Updated 2/15/2011

The Parents of Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Support Group (PASS)
Meetings: First Thursday of the month September through June
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Mimi's Cafe, 804 Providence Rd, Brandon
Contact: Laurie Eckley Phone: 813-476-2376
Updated 9/16/2010

SUPPORT GROUP: Parenting with Special Needs
WHO: All parents and caregivers of “special needs” children
WHAT: The support group will provide contact with other parents experiencing similar difficulties, education about different needs and parent resources, open discussions, and more. The format of the group is flexible and will be chosen by the members.
WHEN: The group meets every other Wednesday from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Kid Pro Therapy – located at 16546 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Tampa, FL 33618
CONTACT: Groups will be facilitated by Erica DuPont, LCSW. Please email or call with any questions about the group. Erica.DuPont@hotmail.com or 813.966.7064
COST: Each group meeting will be $10.00 per person.

*At this time, groups will be “open groups”. This means that group members may come as they please. However, if the group becomes too large, then a limit to the group members will be set.


Autism Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc. Parent Support Group
Date: Monday May 21, 2012
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm .
Guest speaker this month is Dr. Rose Iovannone, with USF Interdisciplinary Center for Evaluation and Intervention (ICEI). ICEI is a new program at USF that provide evaluation and intervention services to school-aged children who have complex social/emotional, behavioral, mental and learning difficulties.Location: University of South Florida (USF), Children’s Medical Service Building (CMS), 13101 Bruce B. Downs Bvld., Tampa, FL

Child Care is available for Autism Foundation of Tampa Bay Members with reservation received by 05/16/2012 at: info@autismfoundationoftampabay.org

Agenda
Dinner/Announcement:                        6:30 pm -7pm
Introduction/Social:                             7:00 pm - 7:30pm
Guest Speaker: Dr. Iovannone            7:30 pm - 8:15pm
Questions/Discussions:                      8:15 pm - 8:30pm
Let us know you are coming by email at: info@autismfoundationoftampabay.org

Parking: Please park in front of the CMS building and to the left if facing the building in the spots designated as “Patient Parking”.



Lee County

Autism/Aspergers Informational Support Group
Who: For Parents/Caregivers of children who have Asperger's Disorder or Autism
When: Third (3rd) Thursday of the month. ,,, Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Trinity Lutheran School, 706 SW 6th Avenue, Cape Coral, FL 33991
Guest speakers discuss topics of interest to families whose children have autism spectrum disorders. Please contact the Kim Kanefke at 239-574-3777 or visit http://www.trinitycapecoral.org for more information or directions.

Manatee County

Asperger's Syndrome Parent Support Group

Bring a lunch, meet new people, swap information, share stories, and find support. This group meeting is open to the community.
When: 3rd Thursday of each month
Time: 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm
Where: C.A.R.E. Training Room (in the Pinnacle Academy), 6215 Lorraine Rd., Lakewood Ranch, FL
For Info: Contact 941-758-4529





Pasco County

AWARE 4 Autism - East Pasco
Support Group (via email) for caregivers of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.
Contact: Johanna at 813-782-9431 or send an e-mail to aware4autism@gmail.com
Updated 3/23/2012

Mom's with H.O.P.E. Support Group
"Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer."  Rom 12:12 
When: 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings
Time: 10:00am.
Call: Tasha Oshon at 727-326-3384 for group location in the Trinity/Odessa area.
Website: www.heart4hopeautism.com
Updated 3/21/2012

NAMI Adult Mental Health Peer-Support Group
[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.]
When: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm in the conference room.
Location: Community Hospital of New Port Richey, FL

BayCare Behavioral Health Autism Caregiver Support Groups
West Pasco County Group
When: 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Where: Children's Treatment Center, 8132 King Helie Blvd., New Port Richey, FL
Contact: 727-420-7943

East Pasco County Group
When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Where: Doris Cook Smith, 14527 7th St., Dade City, FL
Contact: 727-420-7943


Pinellas County

SINC (Sensory Integration: Networking for our Children)
Contact person: Heather Stevens at 727-543-2859
Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month @ 7:00pm parents meet at Jason's Deli in Clearwater, near Fresh Market and Chuckee Cheese's. This is for parents.

Group also meet for conversation and coffee the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month @ 9:30am at Panera Bread in Country Side across from Country Side Mall. Some bring there children to this, but you are responsible for your own children.

The group has an online support group you can join, and through this they send out notices for all meetings and also occasionally set up play dates for children to get together. Families can join this group by going to... http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pinellas_SPD_Support/ where you apply to join the group and will receive an email with a link to confirm registration.


Bay Pines Lutheran Church
Christian Autism Support Group
When: Every other Thursday from 5:45 pm - 7:15 pm
Where: 7589 113th Ln, Seminole FL 33772 (SW Corner of Park Bvd and 113th St.)
Contact Information: (727) 391-1810
Email: asd.baypines@yahoo.com ... Blog: http://tinyurl.com/5tqxrl4

Use contact information to verify date of meetings. It's free! Child care provided.




Polk County

Circle of Friends Support Group
Meets every other Thursday of the month. Meetings rotate between the Winter-Haven Hospital and the Circle Building on Stuart Avenue in Winter Haven.
Contact: Mertice Fehringer at 863-679-2507 for dates and locations.
Updated 11/1/2007

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/
Updated 12/3/2009

A Differently Abled Parent Support Group (ADAPS)
Time: Third Tuesday (Monthly) 10:00 - 11:30 am
Place: Family Fundamentals Bldg.
1021 Lakeland Blvd., Lakeland
ADAPS is a support network for families and caregivers of children with disabilities, ages birth to 21 years.
Contact Kim Ellis at 863-701-1151 ext. 152 or
Nicole Torres at 863-686-1221 ext. 228.
Updated 12/3/2009

OAKS of Central Florida
Our Amazing KidS is a group for families in the Central Florida area who are homeschooling their special needs child(ren). We welcome families of every ability, focusing on providing resources to parents who are new to the homeschooling community. We are open-minded and have an interest on living and learning naturally.
Contact: Dory Hubbard
Winter Haven, FL
(863)318-9461
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OAKSofCFL/?yguid=163698313
Updated 2/3/2011



Sarasota/Venice

Families Helping Families -- Family Support Group
For any family that has a child 0 - 22 with any behavioral or emotional difficulties. As parents and/or caregivers we can support one another. We also have guest speakers come to some of the meetings.
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm -- The first and third Thursday of each month.
Where: Venice Bible Church, 2395 W Shamrock Drive, Venice, FL
Contact: Vicki at 941-544-0167
Updated 5/26/2009

Parent Support Group -- For parents of children with Autism/ASD or
Sensory Processing Disorders
Sponsored by: Face Autism
When:  Third Tuesday of the month
Time:  6:30pm – 7:45 pm
Location:   Big Daddy’s Burger Den, 545 Tamiami Trail South, Venice,
FL 34385
For more information call 609-713-9412
Updated 5/1/2012

Parent Support Group, for Parents  of Children with Autism/ASD or
Sensory Processing Disorders
Sponsored by: Face Autism
When:  Last Wednesday of each month  (starting September 28, 2011)
Where: The Gap School, 133 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232
Time:  6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
For more information:  (813) 240-3044 or http://www.face-autism.org
Updated 8/3/2011

Parent Support Group: For parents of girls with Asperger's, High Functioning Autism,
PDD-NOS and Emotional Disorders
Meets Monday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: 7037 Professional Parkway East, Sarasota, FL 34240
Contact: Call for more information: 941-907-3443
Updated 3/5/2010

Parent Support Group: For parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
and other disabilities
Mission: Bringing parents and caregivers together so that we may gain insight and acquire information from area professionals, and each other, in order to learn and become better parents to our special needs children.
Time: 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm -- Third (3rd) Wednesday of each month.
Location: Lakeside Plantation Clubhouse, 2200 Plantation Blvd., North Port, FL
Contact: Margaret Azouz ... 941-240-6654 ... Email: autismnetwork@live.com
Updated 3/24/2011