SUPPORT OPTIONS
The Groden Center, Inc. Summer 2008 Social Groups for Children with Asperger's Syndrome & Related Social Needs
Age Group: 5 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years, Teens
Dates: Weeks of July 7-August 18
Time: 5-8 years old: Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.
9-12 years old: Thursdays, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Sessions will be held at t he Groden Center, Inc., Community Support Services, 610 Manton Avenue, 3rd Floor (top), Providence, RI 02909
Please call Maggie Powers at 401.274.6310 ext. 1242 for more information
The Rhode Island Parent Information Network’s Family Voices Project presents a series of
CIRCLE OF PARENTS SUPPORT GROUPSJanuary 7, 2008
Preparing Professionals for the Transitional Phases in Your Child’s LifePresenter: Roberta Zimmerly, RIPIN Parent Consultant for the Children’s Neurodevelopment
Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital
February 4, 2008
Healthy Eating Tips for the Entire FamilyJeannie Dorr, Dietician at Hasbro Children’s Hospital
March 3, 2008
Behavioral Management Tips for CaregiversDr. Deborah Rasille, Psychologist at the Children’s Neurodevelopment Center at
Hasbro Children’s Hospital
April 7, 2008
A General Guide to Obtaining Durable EquipmentMary Fournier, MS, PT, PCS at Hasbro
May 5, 2008
The Effects on Siblings of Children with Special NeedsDr. Wendy Plante, PhD, Associate Director of SibLink at Hasbro Childrens’ Hospital
June 2, 2008
What is a Seizure? Discuss Medications and Creating a School Safety PlanDr. Mandelbaum, Medical Director at the Children’s Neurodevelopment Center
July 7 and Aug 4, 2008
Open discussion
September 8, 2008
Coping with the DiagnosisDebra Butler, LICSW Social Worker
November 2, 2008
Coping with the Holidays - Lisa Landry, Pediatric Coordinator Liaison at CNDCDecember 1, 2008
Relaxation Techniques - Lisa Landry, Reiki Master, Certified ReflexologyFor more information, please contact Support Group Facilitator Lisa Landry at
401.444.8485Open to all caregivers. Childcare, refreshments and free parking are provided. The support group and informational sessions will be held in the conference room at the CNDC in George Clinic at RI Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence
ASD DADS SUPPORT GROUP
Autism Spectrum Disorder has had devastating effects
upon families.
Recent rates of diagnosis have attempted to bring to the forefront the
increasing problem that faces children and families dealing with such disorders.
In an effort to address some of these issues, the Autism Project of Rhode Island
will begin a father support group (“ASDads”) for fathers who have children on
the spectrum.
Purpose:
The focus of the support group will be to identify areas of concerns that are
particular to fathers who have children who are diagnosed with Autism. Some
issues that are of concern are:
Education of ASD children (IEP etc)
Financial Planning (special needs trusts, college, SSI, SSDI etc)
Emotional strains on relationships and families
Identifying services and resources for fathers
The group will be run and guided by the membership. There will be an attempt to
schedule guest speakers and a formatted presentation whenever possible.
The meetings will be held the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the
Autism Project of Rhode Island located at 51 Sockanosset Crossroad, Cranston,
R.I. 02920. The first meeting is scheduled May 7, 2007. For more information,
please contact the Autism Project at (401) 785-2666. Ask for Sue Sposato, x. 106
HELPING HANDS
Helping Heal Autism & Neurobiological Disorders
We are a group of parents, families, and friends looking to share ideas and experiences about healing our kids affected by Autism and other neurobiological disorders using biomedical treatments and interventions.
We believe that neurobiological disorders are treatable. Each child is unique and presents with varied biomedical issues and responds to different treatment protocols. There is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment modality. Connecting with other parents for information and support is invaluable.
Please join us monthly to explore a variety of subjects including: dietary programs, nutritional supplementation, heavy metal detoxification, immune system support, gastrointestinal healing, vaccination options, biomedical referrals and resources.
Speakers will be scheduled periodically; however, the main focus of this group is support. By sharing resources and firsthand experiences, we hope to make the process of choosing and obtaining treatments less overwhelming and/or intimidating.
How to contact us:
Helping H.A.N.D.S. Co-Chairs:
Denise Dhillion 508.883.1627
Cheryl Gaudino 508.695.3956
Maria Loulourgas 508.695.2955
Email: healingourkids@yahoo.com
Meetings are held on the last Monday of each month (except December) at the Wrentham Council on Aging, 400 Taunton Street, Wrentham, MA 02093, from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Announcing the SibKids and SibNet Listservs (please share this with families
and service providers in the disability, health, and mental health communities!)
The Sibling Support Project of the Arc of the United States is pleased to
announce SibNet and SibKids. SibNet and SibKids are the Internet's only
listservs for and about brothers and sisters of people with special health,
developmental, and emotional needs.
Both SibKids (for younger brothers and sisters) and SibNet (for older siblings)
allow brothers and sisters an opportunity to connect with their peers from
around the world. Both listservs have members from the US, Canada, Australia,
England, Japan and elsewhere. SibNet (started in 1996) and SibKids (started in
1997) are remarkably warm, thoughtful, and informative communities where young
and adult brothers and sisters share
information and discuss issues of common interest.
Anyone who has email can subscribe to SibKids and SibNet. For a no-cost
subscription and to learn more about SibKids and SibNet, please visit the
Sibling Support Project's Web Page (see address below). Finally, if you have
further questions about SibKids, SibNet, our Sibshops, or the work of the
Sibling Support Project, please contact:
Don Meyer, Director
Sibling Support Project
6512 23rd Ave NW, #213
Seattle, WA 98117
206-297-6368
www.siblingsupport.org
RIPIN Support for Families of Children with Special Needs
Parent Support Group
First Monday of every month, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Child Development Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital, on the 6th floor of the APC building, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903. Facilitated by Lisa Landry, RIPIN Parent Consultant. Childcare and refreshments are provided. A parking pass is available upon request. Contact: Diane Hernandez at 729.0008 X292, diane029051@cox.net.
Spanish Support Group
Last Thursday of every month, 10:00 a.m.-Noon, Solutions CEDARR conference room at Family Service, 134 Thurbers Avenue, Providence, RI 02907. Childcare and refreshments are provided. Contact: Barbara Torres at 800.464.3399 X161, torres@ripin.org or Diane Hernandez at 729.0008 X292, diane029051@cox.net.
Early Intervention On-Line Support Group
Every Monday night, 8:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., via Internet at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EarlyIntervention. Contact: Paula Reid at 800.464.3399 X122, paulareidripin@msn.com.
Fathers First
Day, time and location based on schedules of those who are interested. Coordinated by Mike Masse, a father of a child with special needs. Contact: Mike Masse at 800.464.3399 X133, Mike@fathers1st.org.
Evening Support Group
First Tuesday of every month, 6:00-7:00 p.m., RI Parent Information Network, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860. Facilitated by Betsy Masse, RIPIN Parent Consultant. Childcare and refreshments are provided. Contact: Diane Hernandez at 729.0008 X292, diane029051@cox.net.
Young Mom's Support Group
Second Thursday of every month, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Family Service, 134 Thurbers Avenue, Providence, RI. Facilitated by Shavon Smith, RIPIN Parent Consultant and Joeanna Cruz, RIPIN Parent Consultant. Contact: Diane Hernandez at 721.9292, diane029051@cox.net.
The Sensational Child Support Groups
North Kingston: Meetings are the third Thursday of each month at the Sensational Child from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Contacts: Anita Derreza 284.1507, Deb Golding 884.7583, Cindy Duckworth 782.3698
* For more information about our enrichment programs and playgroups visit us at www.sensationalchild.org
Autism Project of R.I. Discussion Group
Held the last Saturday of each month, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
An opportunity to problem solve strategies with Autism Project professionals. Open to all parents and anyone working with
children and/or adults with autism.
Location: The Autism Project Training Center, 51 Sockanosset Crossroad, Cranston, R.I. 02920.
Contact: Melissa Cornejo to register at 785.2666 X101
R.I. Chapter of Asperger's Association of New England Support Groups www.aane.org
For parents of children and adolescents
Held the second Monday of each month, 7:30-9:00 p.m. (Call to check)
Pine Room on Bradley Hospital's first floor in the Main Building
Contact: Barbara Whalen at 333.1705
For parents of school-aged children, newly diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum
Held the last Monday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m.
The Autism Project of Rhode Island
51 Sockanosset Crossroad
Cranston, RI 02920
For adults with Asperger's
Last Friday of each month
Call for time and location as well as to save your spot
$3.00 charge for Pizza Night
Contact: Barbara Whalen at 333.1705
Siblink at Hasbro Children's Hospital
This program provides a support opportunity to brothers and sisters of children with special medical, developmental and behavioral needs. Siblings are brought together to share experiences so they can better cope with feelings and situations that arise as a result of their sibling's condition. Siblink is open to all families who have children with special health care needs. To request a registration packet by e-mail, please write to Siblink at SibLink@lifespan.org or call 444.8945.
Parent Support Network
For parents of children with emotional/behavioral/mental health challenges
First Wednesday of the month: English-speaking 10:00 a.m.-Noon
Third Wednesday of the month: Spanish-speaking 10:00 a.m.-Noon
At the new offices of Parent Support Network, 1395 Atwood Avenue, Suite 114, Johnston, RI
Call 467.6855 with any questions, or visit www.psnri.org