Support Groups
Connecting with other parents and families that have a child with similar needs can be a great source of support. In Oklahoma, there are several ways to find support.
PARENT-LED ORGANIZATIONS AND AUTISM RELATED SUPPORT GROUPS
Out-of-State
- Arklahoma Families for Effective Autism Treatment
Ft. Smith, AR
Contact: Mandy Steele at 479-997-8782
or Karla Johnston at 479-632-0681
On-Line
PROFESSIONAL-LED AUTISM RELATED SUPPORT GROUPS
Norman
- Social Language Group: Learning to Play in the Game of Life
J.D. McCarty Center
2002 East Robinson
Norman, OK(405)-307-2800
Promoting Social Independence in Adolescents and Teens with High Functioning Autism and Sperger's Syndrome. Group Facilitator: Kelly Hawkins, MS, CCC-SLP
Group meets Thursdays 4:15p to 5:15p beginning October 2nd, 2008 to November 20th, 2008. Fee: $120.00 Enrollment Deadline: September 25th
Sapulpa
- Support Group for Families of Children with Special Needs
Creek County Literacy Program Center, CREOKS Behavioral Health, 23 E. Ross
Sponsors: TARC (Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities), UCP, and Sooner Success.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:15 p.m. and offer support and information for parents and family members of children with special needs. Child care is not provided, but participants are encouraged to take advantage of Sapulpa's respite program. Contact: Mindy Littlefield, (918) 378-5632.
Tulsa
- Mom and Dads Support Group
Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian
4102 E. 61st St. (between Harvard & Yale)
Room B-8
Sponsor: TARC (Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilites) and UCP.
Meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month (except December) from 7-9 P.M. This long-standing support group for parents of children with developmental disabilities nurtures and supports families, while encouraging positive strategies in dealing with challenges and to sharing the joys of raising children with developmental disabilities.
Contact: Sherilyn Walton at TARC, 918-582-8272.
- Links Support Group for Adults with Asperger's Syndrome
Brookside Library 1207 E. 45th Place C (just west of Peoria)
Sponsor: TARC (Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities).
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month from 6:30-8:00p.m. Links offers a way for adults with Asperger's Syndrome to find support, information, and friends. The group also offers speakers on topics determined by the group, social skills building, and activities and events to help participants become more involoved in their community.
Contact: Amie Farinella at TARC, 918-582-8272
- Families in Transition Support Group
Location: Varies
Sponsor: TARC (Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities).
Meetings are held quarterly and cover topics of interest to parents of adult children with disabilities such as housing, guardianship, state services and residential care providers. For meeting dates and locations, contact Amie Farinella at TARC, 918-582-8272.
- Connections Asperger's Group
Hardesty Regional Library 8316 E 93rd St, Tulsa
Sponsor: TARC (Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities).
Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. This is a social skills group for adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome, bringing them together for games, discussions, and snacks in a relaxed setting where they can meet others with the same interests and practice positive social skills.Contact: Sherilyn Walton or Amie Farinella at TARC, 918-582-8272.
- Juntos! Hispanic Parents Support Group - El Grupo Hispano de Apoyo a Padres de Familia
Sponsor: TARC (Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities).
Meetings are held on the last Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. Childcare is available. This is a support group for Spanish-speaking parents of children with developmental disabilities. For location information, contact Zaida Castro at TARC, 918-582-8272.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS
- Family Voices in Oklahoma
Oklahoma Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
- Oklahoma Tourette Syndrome Association
* Underlined Organization names contain the link to their respective website.