SUPPORT GROUP FOR ADULTS WITH AD/HD
Springfield/Falls Church
Support meetings for adults with AD/HD are held every 2nd Wednesday of the month at Marshall High School in Falls Church. Free and open to the public.

CH.A.D.D. Small Parent Support Groups
Meetings for those concerned with children - 2nd Thursday 7 p.m. in the Education Center behind Lewis Gale Pavilion. Adult meeting 3rd Wednesday 7 p.m. Conference Room B, Lewis Gale Pavilion.
For information contact 366-3024.

Parent support group. For information, please contact Donna Budway at donnabudway@aol.com.

The Asperger Syndrome Information and Support group helps families with children (ages 3-23) who have Asperger syndrome, high functioning autism, non-verbal learning disabilities, PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental delay - not otherwise specified) and other related social communication skills disabilities. We generally meet on a monthly basis during the school year, alternating daytime and evening meetings. We discuss issues of common interest, exchange information on resources and strategies that have helped our children, and try to support each other and create community support for our families. We also have an active listserve for exchanging information. Meetings are usually held in Arlington. Parents, grandparents, caregivers are all welcome to attend our meetings. While the majority of our families reside in Arlington, we do have members from close-in Fairfax County communities. For more information on the AS IS group, please contact Sylvia Orli at sylviaorli@gmail.com.

Support and social groups for adults 18 and over who live in the region and who have Asperger's, high-functioning autism, nonverbal learning disorder, semantic pragmatic disorder and PDD-NOS. Members attending their first meeting may bring a family member or friend. Meets montly. To join e-mail group, please contact Mark at info@aagw.net.

Asperger's/High-Functioning Autism Parent Support Groups
Meetings held every 3rd Friday of the month, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Contact Yetta Myrick at 202-246-3793 or yimrick@yahoo.com.

Parent support group meeting in the Springfield area. For more information, contact Teresa Champion at 703-440-8843 or teechamp@earthlink.net.

Contact Cyrstal Peterson at 540-295-3101 or CrystalPAO@aol.com

Support group for parents in the Hampton Roads area. Join by going to http://aspergers.meetup.com/267/ or by contacting at 757-218-6507 or robynvitto@yahoo.com.

Military parents in the Hampton Roads area. Join group by going to http://spclneedsparents.meetup.com/120/ or contacting at 757-218-6507 or robynvitto@yahoo.com.

Topics and times are typically listed on The Aurora School's website at http://www.aurora-school.org under "Workshops"

Asperger's/High-Functioning Autism Parent Support Groups
2nd Tuesdays. Call Pam Escobar at 703-430-3519 or aspergers_nca@hotmail.com.

Parents Of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia (POAC-NoVA) and its predecessor organization has worked since 1996 to improve the quality and quantity of education for students with autism within the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
POAC-NoVA approved the following goals for the organization at the July 2006 meeting of the Board of Directors:

1. Serve as a clearinghouse for research-based methodologies for instructing students on the autism spectrum
2. Training public and private school educators and parents in ABA/VB and other research-based instructional methodologies
3. Advocate for and influence the successful implementation of ABA/VB and other research-based instructional methodologies for students on the autism spectrum in Fairfax County Public Schools
4. Advocate for improvements in the services delivered to FCPS students on the autism spectrum.

Meets 7:30 p.m. every second Sunday of the month at Fairfax Hospital's Education Conference Center.

This group meets in Prince William County. For information, please contact Christine Hoch at 703-431-1558 or choch@comcast.net.

Asperger's/High-Functioning Autism Parent Support Groups
Meetings held on the third Tuesday of the month from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Location alternates monthly between east and west part of the county. Childcare available if you contact Tanya DeCasseres at 703-791-8846 or ddeceres@msn.com one week before the meeting. For information contact the Parent Resource Center of Prince William County Schools, 703-791-8846 (voice), 703-791-8847 (TDD).

This support group meets in Burke, and is for parents with children that have disabilities, of all types including Aspergers.
Contact Beth Troutman, troutmanbeth@yahoo.com for more information.
Meetings are held 7-9 p.m., usually on the last Tuesday or Wednesday of every month, at the Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA.

For more information about the Reston-area Asperger Parent Support Group, please call Pam Escobar at 703-430-3519.

Support group for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome, and adults who have Asperger's. It meets every month on the second Thursday of the month from 7-9pm at the River City Diner at 803 E Parham Rd, Richmond, VA 23227-1107 (Parham and I95).

Served through Winchester Rehabilation 333 W. Court St., 2nd floor conference room, Winchester. Meets 3rd Thursday, 3:00 - 5:00pm, Sept-May.

Contact Rachel Lockwood at (757) 789-3990.

Asperger Support Group. Meets 3rd Thursday 7:00 p.m. Mary Washington Hospital. Contact Jo Ann Nagle (540) 898-0002 or Jeannie McDowell (540) 374-5051.

Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 521-D East Market St.,Leesburg. Contact Laura Gutrick at 703-318-0425.

Meets 1st & 3rd Thursday 7:30 p.m. Falls Church High School in Career room. Contact Cheryl Sweeney at 703-569-1855.

Meets Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital, 1311 Palmyra Ave. Contact Thomas Byrnes at (804) 359-0401.

Meets Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. 1st floor Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, Newport News. Contact Shelley Brown at (757) 928-8440 or Jan Brown at (757) 564-3149.

Contact Rev. Clyde Shelton at (804) 767-2259 or fax to same number.

Provides a support network for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy. The List Serve is open to all parents of children with CP who reside in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and DC. Monthly gatherings will be open to anyone willing to travel to Northern Virginia or Northern Shenandoah Valley. To join group go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CPPARENTSVA/. To join list serve only send email to CPPARENTSVA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com with subscribe in the subject line.
For more information contact Melissa Miller at mmiller@infe.org.

Informal support group with social & educational meetings. For more information contact Rebecca Draznin at 703-754-1652 or rdraznin@advanceconcepts.com.

Meets 1st & 3rd Friday 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Day room at Page Memorial Hospital. Contact Beulah Peele at (540)743-4561. For Diabetic assistance, contact Melanie Moses Stanley.

A parent-led support group for parents of children with hearing loss who have chosen spoken language communication. It meets every month on the third Monday of the month, from 7-8:30pm at SPEAK UP school, 1307 Lakeside Ave., Richmond VA 23228 804-290-0475.

DSAFred is a newly established support group that includes parents, family members, friends and professionals working together to improve the quality of life of persons with Down Syndrome. Our children are beautiful and are very important members of our families and community. We are proud of them and we share this pride with all who join with us. Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down Syndrome and help them reach their full potential by providing family support, education, and social opportunities in Fredericksburg, VA and surrounding areas.

The DSAVP brings support to families with new babies through hospital outreach, delivering informative books for parents and siblings. Monthly play meetings provide the opportunity for families to connect and learn from one another. Enrichment activities include trips to the zoo, pumpkin patch and swimming time. Informational speakers and workshops provided for parents, families and caregivers. Mom's Night Out is always a welcome evening of sharing and socializing.
Advanced training seminars for local Speech Therapists are offered to help individuals with Down Syndrome improve feeding and speaking.

Meets 1st & 3rd Thursday 7:30 p.m. Falls Church High School in Career room. Contact Cheryl Sweeney at 703-569-1855.

Please join us for monthly meetings and family get-togethers. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 7-9 p.m. Childcare and sign language or Spanish interpreter services are available, if request is made a week in advance of the meeting. To arrange for childcare or interpreter services, contact the Parent Resource Center, Special Education Dept., Prince William County Public Schools at (703) 791-8846 (Voice), (703) 791-8847 (TDD). For further details regarding meetings, contact co-facilitators Erin Jones at (703) 730-7424 or Heide Thorpe at (703) 492-7068.

The mission of DSANV shall be to ensure that all individuals with Down syndrome and their families receive the support necessary to participate in, contribute to and achieve fulfillment of life in their community. DSANV endeavors to:

- Help families adjust to the birth of a child with Down syndrome;
- Provide individuals with Down syndrome and their families with educational, financial, medical, legal and social support and resources;
- Provide social and educational events for individuals with Down syndrome and their families to meet, interact and learn;
- Increase community awareness of the capabilities and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome;
- Provide financial support to families in need with donations of durable medical equipment, educational toys and similar items;
- Support local organizations that provide services to individuals with Down syndrome.

Contact Kathleen Gillum at 703-246-7121.

Select the link below for information on signing up for, and participating in, an email-based support group for parents and guardians of children with "Emotional Disabilities" living in Fairfax County.

Parents of Children with Seizure Disorders
Usually meeting 1st Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Contact Alice Harrington at harringtona.hehs@gao.gov or (703) 533-5581 or (202) 512-7055.

Mothers, Fathers & sibling support groups meet on the 3rd Monday of the month from 7:00 - 9 p.m. If holiday, meeting is on 4th Monday. Childcare is available during the meetings for younger children and the child with a disability. For more information & workshops, contact Jan Russell at (703) 730-3124 or russellj@erols.com.

Parent Information and Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs. Both are drop in at 7:30 pm. GROUP 1--Meets the first Tuesday of Every Month at Common Grounds Cafe at 3211 Wilson Blvd. (across from the Silver Diner. Targeted for families in Arlington with children birth-3 with any type of special needs (surrounding communities welcome). Join us in a comfortable living room setting for topic discussions that range from dealing with the emotions of having a child that has special needs to educating yourself about therapies, IEPs, and the social and emotional development of your child. GROUP 2 -Meets the third Thursday of each month at the Clarendon Fresh Fields in the mezzanine level conference room. Targeted for families living in Arlington with children 12 and under (surrounding communities welcome). Meetings feature either speakers (ranging from therapists, psychologists, educators and advocates) to open discussions on the materials presented by the speakers. Contact your Arlington parent-to-parent coordinator, Julie Katz

Our mission of Hampton Roads Special Education Parent Support Group continues to provide parents with information and support so they can effectively advocate for their childrens needs.
Our goals for the upcoming year include becoming a non-profit organization, hosting a conference this spring and raising money to offer scholarships to parents who need Attorneys or Advocates for services.

Meets 2nd & 4th Sundays 9:25 a.m. For parents of children and young adults with special needs. McLean Bible Church, Room 202A, McLean. For information call Jack or Ann Garhart.

This support group meets in Burke, and is for parents with children that have disabilities, of all types including Aspergers.
Contact Beth Troutman, troutmanbeth@yahoo.com for more information.
Meetings are held 7-9 p.m., usually on the last Tuesday or Wednesday of every month, at the Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA.

Meets on the third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 at the PRC. Caring for a child with special needs stirs up powerful feelings in parents. Wouldn't it be great to take a break from your busy schedule to be with people who understand what you're going though? Join psychotherapist Alexandra Roth, LCSW, ACSW, and other parents of children with special needs and for this FREE, drop in support group every month. No commitment or need to register. We're here for you. For information about the group, call Alexandra Roth

Serving Tazewell and surrounding counties in VA.
TASK is an independent non-profit agency serving the special needs citizens of Tazewell County for over 25 years. We help families' of special needs children get the services they need by providing information, referrals, support groups, workshops and advocacy.

The PWSUSA website, http://www.pwsausa.org, has general and specific information about Prader-Willi Syndrome. The local chapter of the Association is at http://www.pwsausa.org/MD. For more information contact Linda Keder at 301-384-4955.

Jefferson-Houston School, 1501 Cameron St., Alexandria. Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. For more information contact Anne Lipnick at 703-461-4188

Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Jenkens Hall in Norfolk, VA at 7:00 p.m. Specific information about monthly programming can be found on the chapter website or by calling the chapter office.

Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA at 7:00 p.m. Specific information about monthly programming can be found on the chapter website or by calling the chapter office.

Group presently forming. Please contact the TSAGW office for more information at 1-877-295-2148 (toll free).