Support Groups
Support groups are a place where people can share stories, experiences, resources, and information, and connect with others.
The Family Focus Resource Center facilitates several groups that meet on a regular basis, and there are many other groups that meet in the community.
The list below is for informational purposes only. NLACRC does not endorse, nor is it affiliated with any of the groups listed below and we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of the information listed. We highly recommend that you contact the organizers to verify meeting dates and times before attending a meeting.
AAOP (Armenian Autism Outreach Project)
Support and information for families and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information call 818-542-AAOP(2267) or visit About Us – AAOP – Armenian Autism Outreach Project.
Alzheimer’s Association, California Southland Chapter
Support group for family caregivers of Down Syndrome individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Meetings will take place the first Thursday of each month at San Fernando Valley Service Center, 16933 Parthenia Street, Suite 200, Northridge 91343. For more information, please contact Sharon at 818-842-9602.
Autism Society of Los Angeles
Support and information for families and individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger Syndrome. For more information call 562-804-5556 or visit www.autismla.org/1/.
Chinatown Service Center
Provides health and human services in English and a variety of Chinese dialects:
- Cantonese
- Mandarin
- Toisan
- Chiu Chow
- Vietnamese
- Khmer (Cambodian)
For more information call 213-808-1700 or visit www.cscla.org.
Bridges to Ability
Provides social, recreational, vocational and educational programs for teens and adults,16 years and older, with developmental disabilities. For more information contact Dave at 661-702-8555 or by e-mail at info@bridgestoability.org.
Center for Autism and Related Disorder, Inc.
Support group for families of children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders. For more information contact Kelly at 818-345-2345 x323. or by e-mail at k.soulies@centerforautism.com.
Center for Grief and Loss for Children
Support group provided for children and their families to help with the healing from the death of a loved one. For more information, please call 818-744-7433.
Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles
For parents of children with Down syndrome. For more information call 818-786-0001 or visit www.dsala.org.
Down Syndrome Support Group
Parents share resources, inspire each other, provide important feedback and more. Meets 1st Saturday of the month at Christ Lutheran Church in Valencia. For more information call Kathleen at 661-294-9715.
Dyslexia Association of Los Angeles
Information & referral, self-help groups, educational outreach support and information. Meets 2nd Saturday of the month 10:00-12:00 at providence Tarzana Medical Center. For more information call 818-506-8866 or visit International Dyslexia Association Los Angeles (dyslexiala.org)
Fragile X Association of Southern California
Parent groups offering information & referral, peer support groups. For more information call 818-754-4227 or visit http://fraxsocal.org/.
Friends of the Family
Offers a variety of support groups. For more information, please call 818-988-4430.
GLAD (Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc
Provides support to help advance the life of deaf and hard of hearing individuals by empowering them with information, training and opportunities. For more information call 323-478-8000 or visit www.gladinc.org.
Hamercaz
A one-stop resource connecting you to information & referrals, social & support programs, professional collaboration. For more information call 1-866-287-8030 or by e-mail at Hamercaz@jfsla.org or visit Special Needs Life Skills (HaMercaz & Chaverim) – Jewish Family Service LA (jfsla.org).
H.E.L.P. Group
Provides counseling to children 2-21 years with Medi-Cal or Healthy Family Insurance. For more information, please call 818-781-0360.
Japanese Speaking Parent Association
Assists parents and families of children with special needs in the Japanese-speaking community. For more information call Michiko at 818-557-0728 or visit www.jspacc.org.
JTC (John Tracy Clinic)
Multidisciplinary, parent –centered programs and services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing ages birth to five. For more information call 213-748-5481 or visit Main – John Tracy Center (jtc.org).
Just 4 Us
Run by and for adults with intellectual disabilities. Saturday activities planned every month or 2 on Saturday in the San Fernando Valley. For more information contact Suzanne at 818-421-4439.
KIDS – Lancaster/Palmdale Down Syndrome Support Group
Support Group for parents of children with Down Syndrome in the Lancaster/Palmdale area. Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at first Presbyterian Church at 1850 E. Avenue R, Palmdale. Contact: Chrystyne at chrystyne@earthlink.net.
LA County HFA/Asperger’s Adults support group
Each month we schedule various meeting events in different places around LA County. Do you want to belong and be normal for once? Wouldn’t it be nice to meet people and not get that awful feeling? Here’s your chance. When you are with us, you don’t have to worry about social skills as you are “normal” and you do belong. It takes a while to get used to being ‘okay’ after a lifetime of being on the outside. We provide a fun, pressure-less social environment where you are accepted just as you are. For a couple hours you can just be yourself, do what you do, say what you say and not have to worry or feel bad. Even if we did notice we wouldn’t care because we have the same thing you do. Man I love that, it’s just magical! For more information visit www.meetup.com/AspiesInLA/.
Los Angeles Asperger’s Syndrome Parent Support Group
For parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome. For more information call Fran Goldfarb or Jim Devine at 310-543-5064. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Julia Ann Singer Center At Vista Del Mar, 3200 Motor Ave., West Los Angeles, or visit http://myweb.lmu.edu/jdevine/as for more information.
Los Angeles Families for Effective Autism Treatment (LA FEAT)
LA FEAT is a group of parents of children with autism dedicated to providing education to families and the community on effective autism treatments, and to provide support to families seeking effective treatments for their children on the autism spectrum. Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of the month, from 7-9 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Manhattan Beach. Visit their web site at About FEAT – Families for Early Autism Treatment.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness of San Fernando Valley)
Provides free education, support and advocacy to anyone impacted by mental illness. For more information call 818-994-6747 or by email at mail@namisfv.org or visit www.namisfv.org/.
Parent Support Group
Meets Mondays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Support for parents who are experiencing challenging behaviors with their children/teens. Do you notice that your child has difficulty regulating emotions, difficulty communicating or acting out? Learn tools to better understand, clarify and process challenges. This group meets with a minimum of 8 parents. To reserve your spot, please call 888-353-8285. Meetings will be held at CARE, Inc. 15315 Magnolia Blvd., Suite 306, Sherman Oaks.
OTB (Outside the Box)
Developmental & educational program for children ages 3-6. For more information call 818-348-Play(7529) or by e-mail at registration@otbee.com.
Parent Support Group for Families of Children with Autism
This group is facilitated by a parent advocate and a parent attorney who are both parents of children with special needs. Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meetings are held at United Cerebral Palsy in Woodland Hills. For more information, please call Andrea at 818-343-2227 or visit their web site at www.kenproject.com.
San Fernando Valley Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
Meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Granada Hills. For more information, please call 818-242-7871.
San Fernando Valley Self-Help Group (Epilepsy)
Information and referral, self-help groups, educational outreach, parent phone number network, conferences, seizure first aid training. Held the first and third Friday of each month at L.A. Valley College in Van Nuys. For more information, call 310-670-2870.
Santa Clarita Autism/Asperger’s Network (SCAAN)
A non-profit organization that offers family support group meetings, monthly newsletter, social and educational events. Group meets at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (except December) at NLACRC Santa Clarita Valley conference room, 28470 W. Avenue Stanford, Suite 100, Santa Clarita. Evening meetings are also held. For more information visit SCAAN Website or call 661- 297-8381.
Spanish Down Syndrome Support Group
Parents share resources, inspire each other, provide important feedback and more. Meets 1st Saturday of the month at Christ Lutheran Church in Valencia. For more information call Carmen at 661-294-9715.
Stand Together Support Group (CHADD)
For any adult with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the San Fernando Valley. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month in Tarzana. Please call 818- 773-4068 for more information.
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)
A not-for-profit organization focused on building the autism community by connecting people – families, friends, and professionals. Their focus is on sharing information which can help children with autism be the best that they can be. The Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley chapter of TACA meets at the Burbank First United Methodist Church, 700 N. Glenoaks Ave., Burbank, 91502. Meetings are held on the first or second Sunday of every month (unless there is a holiday weekend) from 4:00 to 6:00p.m. For more information, contact co-facilitators Holly Riley, Holly.Riley@tacanow.org or Moira Giammatteo, Moira.Giammatteo@tacanow.org. Please check the website for further information: www.tacanow.org.
T.A.S.K. (Team of Advocates for Special Kids)
Assistance and support for parents seeking educational, medical or therapeutic support services for their children up to age 22. For more information call 714- 533-TASK (8275) or visit TASK – Southern California’s Parent Training and Information Center (taskca.org).
Teen Support Group
Meets Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Support for teens experiencing anxiety, stress, challenges or confusion. Do you feel like no one understands you? Is life overwhelming? Learn tools to cope and express your problems with other teens with similar challenges. This group meets with a minimum of 8 student participants. To reserve, call 888-353-8285. Meetings will be held at CARE, Inc. 15315 Magnolia Blvd., Suite 306, Sherman Oaks.