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OK Support Groups & Advocacy Organizations

Connecting with other people who share similar life experiences is important for parents and caregivers raising a child with autism.  Often another parent can offer emotional support in a way that no one else can.   If you are a parent of a child with autism and you haven't connected with other parents who share similar experiences, we encourage you to do so.  There are a variety of ways to get connected, such as through a parent support group, peer-to-peer mentors, or even online.

Several of the groups listed on this page also provide opportunities for teens and adults with autism.  To learn more about specific opportunities for teens and adults to get together visit our 'Adulthood' section of the website.

Support Groups

AutismOklahoma.org Connection Circles

AutismOklahoma.org currently hosts thirteen different Connection Circles in various areas of Oklahoma to provide a way for parents to connect with each other and their community.
Visit their website to learn more.

Tulsa

ARC of Oklahoma offers a variety of support groups in the Tulsa area for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities as well as groups for family members.
Visit their website to learn more about their different groups.

 

Specialty Groups

Peer to Peer Mentorship

The Oklahoma Family Network connects parents with each other for one to one mentorship.

Contact: Heather Pike
 

Spanish Speaking

Oklahoma City

AutismLatino for information on meet times and location visit https://autismoklahoma.org/how-we-support-families/cc/autismlatino/


Tulsa

¡Nos Apoyamos! El grupo es patrocinado por ARC of Oklahoma y Ability Connection Oklahoma. Para obtener más información acerca de ¡Nos Apoyamos! incluyendo ubicación de la reunión y las fechas: ARC of Oklahoma

¡Nos Apoyamos! es un grupo de apoyo para padres de habla hispana de los niños con discapacidades del desarrollo. El grupo reúne a los padres en un ambiente relajado e informal que ofrece la oportunidad de compartir y aprender unos de otros, así como escuchar a los oradores invitados.

Dads on Special Assignment

A men's ministry providing support groups for men who have a son or daughter with a mental, physical, or medical challenge, often defined as special needs.

www.DOSAusa.org

Email: jw@dasausa.org

Parent and Student Advocate Resources

The Oklahoma Parents CenterThe OPC is a statewide 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Oklahoma; they provide support and services to all of Oklahoma.  Their mission is to train, inform, educate, and support parents, families, professionals, and consumers in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with a full range of disabilities ages birth through twenty-six. 

The OPC is proud to be Oklahoma’s designated Parent Training and Information Center (PTI).  There is at least one PTI in each state and U.S. Territory and some states have more than one depending on population size; Oklahoma only has one PTI, which we have operated since 2008.  The purpose of a PTI is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities and youth with disabilities receive training and information to help improve educational results for themselves or their children.  Our role is to help families and schools to understand the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how to use it to benefit children with all disabilities.

The OPC staff will equip you with the tools you need to understand the system, work with service providers and schools, and advocate for your student or yourself.  Their staff is mostly parents or family members of people with disabilities and self-advocates, so they know the journey.  Their specialists have the background and information to assist in sorting through the issues and putting them in perspective. The services of OPC are provided at no charge to families.


The Pervasive Parenting Center - The Pervasive Parenting Center is a not-for-profit organization made up of families, local educators, community leaders, and healthcare professionals. They strive to provide a better life for the families in eastern Oklahoma who are coping with disabilities because they work and live with those same issues every day. Their passion is to provide assistance to families in eastern Oklahoma affected by autism and other disabilities. They also work with families in schools to help them understand their rights, and advocate to make sure they are receiving the services they need. This includes advocating in Individual Education Program (IEP) Meetings. The services of PPC are provided at no charge to families.


The Arc of Oklahoma -  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) lays out a process that schools must follow to identify which children with disabilities require services and which supports and services a child requires. We can help families learn more about the special education process and the rights that students and their families have in that process.

Our expert staff will assist families and advocates in navigating the special education system, including understanding IDEA and early intervention services, IEPs, and Section 504.  For more information, contact Sherilyn at swalton@thearcok.org.  The services of The Arc of Oklahoma are provided at no charge to families.