Support Groups & Parent Carer Forums
Sometimes, when it feels as though you have been looking forever, that vital contact or piece of information crops up right under your nose. There are many support groups around the country, made up of passionate, committed parents, carers and others, who have been or are walking the same path as you, encountering the same challenges and obstacles. And some of the have found the answer you are looking for – and sometimes you will have the answer they want! Through working together, many people get the support they want – and offer much to others, just at that time of particular need.
To find the Support Group nearest to you checkout the list below. The Support Group list will continue to develop over time and your feedback is important to use so please let us know what you think using the 'Help us grow' link above.
East Midlands
Filter by A.S.P.E.C.S. (Autistic and Aspergers Persons of Every Category of (Queer) Sexuality)
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Are you Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or just questioning your sexuality, AND have been diagnosed as having an Autistic or related condition (Aspergers Syndrome, Tourettes Syndrome, Autism, etc.)? This is intended as a BRAND SPANKING NEW Group for LGBT's over 16 with Autistic and allied conditions, as well as friends, parents, helpers, etc.
ACCT - Asperger's Children and Carers Together
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ACCT is a parent-led support group for children and families affected by Asperger's syndrome or high functioning Autism in Sheffield. We run activity groups, day trips, sports and other outings. Siblings are welcome too. We also host weekly term time drop-in-sessions and coffee mornings and monthly meetings for parents and carers.
Alfreton Park Community Special School - Family Support
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I am Sharon Walker and I am the Family Support at Alfreton Park Special School.
APTCOO - A Place To Call Our Own
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A support group for families who have a child/young person with an additional need. The group encourages informal peer to peer support, information sharing and training, empowering families to make positive life choices to achieve best outcomes based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
ASK Us
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Information, advice and support for children and young people with a disability or special educational needs and their parents/carers.
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East of England
Filter by Angels Support Group for Parents/Carers of Children with ASD &/or ADHD
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Angels is a parent led voluntary organisation and Registered Charity set up in North Hertfordshire to support parents and carers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
ASD Helping Hands
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ASD Helping Hands offers Family Support and Youth Support. They operate primarily in Norfolk and Suffolk but are not restricted geographically so will offer email/telephone advice to counties outside of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Asperger East Anglia
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Asperger East Anglia offers personal, friendly assistance for everyone with Asperger syndrome and their carers by providing a comprehensive and integrated service.
Autism Bedfordshire
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Autism Bedfordshire is an independent charity supporting children, young people and adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (A.S.C.), as well as their families and carers throughout Bedfordshire and Luton.
Autism Lets Do It!!
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This is a group for children with autism, associated conditions and their families. Their objective is to arrange events, outings and clubs for families where children on the spectrum and their siblings can have fun and enjoy simple days out or other activities, surrounded by people who understand.
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London
Filter by A2ndVoice
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To inspire, to empower, to share information and build a network in providing ongoing support pertaining to the wellbeing and lifestyle for parents & carers with children or adults on the Autistic Spectrum.
Action For Kids
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Action For Kids is a charity that helps young people with physical and learning disabilities across the country find greater levels of independence and opportunity through the provision of mobility aids, employability training and family support.
Ambitious about Autism
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Talk about Autism is the UK's largest online autism community. It's safe - we have a team of moderators - and it's friendly - our community is supportive and welcoming to new members. You can discuss anything related to autism.
ASD Support Group Hounslow
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The Helping HANDZ Monthly Surgeries are a great opportunity for carers and parents to find out more about Special Educational Needs procedures in Hounslow; as well as attend a second free topic-based workshop by a local professional.
Autism Partnership UK Ltd
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Autism Partnership UK provides Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) consultation, supervision and direct therapy services to students with diverse needs across the UK. Services are provided to families, schools, parent groups and other organisations.
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North East
Filter by ACE Education Advice & ACE Education Training
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The Advisory Centre for Education provides free, independent and legally accurate advice on education via an advice line, helping parents to support their children's education.
Action for children
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We're a children's charity who: work with over 50,000 children and young people of all ages run 480 projects across the UK tackle issues such as child neglect and abuse.
Afasic - Unlocking Speech & Language
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Afasic is the UK charity representing children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers.
Arcadea
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Based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and working across the whole North East England region, ARCADEA is an exciting part of new thinking in Art and Culture, and we work with some of the most innovative artists, thinkers and partners in the country.
Autism Dads Group
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A support group for dads and male carers living with ASD. Autism Dads is a self-help support group for fathers and male carers in and around Teesside.
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North West
Filter by A.S.P.E.C.S. - Autistic and Aspergers Persons of Every Category of (Queer) Sexuality
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Are you Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or just questioning your sexuality, AND have been diagnosed as having an Autistic or related condition (Aspergers Syndrome, Tourettes Syndrome, Autism, etc.)? This is intended as a BRAND SPANKING NEW Group for LGBT's over 16 with Autistic and allied conditions, as well as friends, parents, helpers, etc.
Action For ASD
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Brief description of your service: We are an Autism Centre based in Burnley, who support both adults and childrens who have been diagnosed with Autism/Seeking diagnosis.
We also carry out diagnosis for clients who are 16+ and who are living in the East Lancashire/ Blackburn with Darwen Area.
We have support groups available in Burnley/Blackburn.
ADDvanced Solutions Community Network
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ADDvanced Solutions Community Network encourages, equips and empowers children, young people and their families living with neurodevelopmental conditions, learning difficulties and associated mental health needs.
Our engaging, community-based, learning, coaching and mentoring programmes will help you and your family to better recognise, understand and meet your individual needs, enabling you to manage the day to day challenges.
Afasic Stockport - Voice For Life
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Afasic supports parents and represents children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
Aiming High Short Breaks
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The Short Breaks Team provide a wide range of activities for children and young people with a range of disabilities and additional needs, from aged 0 up to their 18th birthday
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Northern Ireland
Filter by Add Up Group NI
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The Add Up Group NI have a drop-in centre in Belfast - Star Theatre Company's Muse Gallery, at 79 Botanic Avenue, Belfast.
Aspergers Family Support Group Youth Club Dublin
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Aspergers Anonymous provides regular free support group meetings and a program to practice social interactions, acceptance positive thinking
Autism Network NI
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The Charity is run by a management committee who volunteer their time to help those with Autistic spectrum disoder and their families; our experience comes from living with Autistic spectrum disorder and or caring for someone with Autistic spectrum disorder.
Autism NI
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Autism NI's Family Support team offers support to parents/carers of newly diagnosed children as well as support to families who have been living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for longer periods.
Barnardo's Forward Steps
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Support for pre-school children with autism and their families.
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Scotland
Filter by Achievement Bute
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We provide a range of inclusive children's activities and an individualised family support service. Our inclusive children's events, clubs and holiday activities are designed to ensure that all children can participate, regardless of ability or disability.
Angus Carers Centre
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Our vision is all carers in Angus will be given the opportunity to access relevant information and support to enable them to feel valued and empowered in their caring role.
Auticulture Network
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This is a group formed by autistic adults, for autistic adults interested in nature and in gardening with related activities. The group is using its experience of forming a group from scratch to help other autistic adults do the same in their own area, so they can create a safe space to enjoy the restorative qualities of the natural environment.
Autism Network Scotland
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Autism Network Scotland works with charities and organisations based around Scotland to bring you information, news, resources and support from across the country.
Befrienders SCIO
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Befrienders is an independent voluntary organisation which recruits adult volunteers to offer friendship and support for children aged 7-16 years, living in Argyll and Bute, and experiencing difficulties in some area of their lives (including children with autism spectrum disorders).
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South East
Filter by Action for Carers Surrey
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We provide information, advice and support for carers of all ages, right across Surrey. Our support includes benefits help, advocacy, guidance on moving and handling, workshops, events, support groups, free resources and more.
Action for Carers, Surrey, Elmbridge Parent-Carer Support Group
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Support group for parents caring for children with additional needs.
Adults with Aspergers Groups (Aspens Charities)
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The aim of the groups will be the personal development of the clients. They aim to increase participants self-esteem, give each other support and information and to form friendships.
Amaze
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For children and young people 0 -25 with SEND and their parent carers. Information and advice via telephone helpline and email. Information via website, parent handbooks, factsheets and newsletter.
ASD Family Help
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The ASD Family Help charity is a 'User Led' independent and voluntary group that offers free support and advice to individuals on the autistic spectrum, their parents, carers and professionals within Wokingham Borough, Berkshire
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South West
Filter by Allsorts
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Allsorts is run by members for members. We always listen to what our families tell us they want and try to give them the services they say they need.
Asperations - South Devon Asperger Group
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We are a voluntary self- help organisation providing help and support for children and young adults aged 5-18 years with ADHD, Aspergers or Autism and their families in the Teignbridge, Torbay and South Hams areas
Aspergers and Autism - Tewkesbury
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This is an informal support group for families in the Tewkesbury area who have children affected by Aspergers Syndrome or Autism.
A-Stars
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Is a club for children aged 5 or over, and young adults with Asperger's Syndrome or an autism related condition (ASC),and their families. We serve the Dorset area and parents come from Weymouth, Dorchester, Blandford & the surrounding area.
Autism Wessex
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We run drop-in groups for adults in Bournemouth, Dorchester, Yeovil and Southampton. The groups provide an opportunity for people to meet others with the condition to socialise and share ideas in a supportive and friendly environment. People do not have to have had a diagnosis to attend.
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Wales
Filter by Action for Children – Gweithredu dros Blant
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Action for Children is committed to helping the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK break through injustice, deprivation and inequality, so they can achieve their full potential.
Autism Aber
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This group offers meetings with parents and whose children have autism; making new friends; discussing issues; organising trips and events; being a support; and teacher of children with autism.
Bangor Social Group
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Social Group for people aged 18 or over at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum, such as those with Asperger syndrome (AS).
Barnardo's Pembrokeshire Family Link Scheme
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The service aims to support children and young people with disabilities and their families, within their own communities, by providing a range of short break services based on the assessed need of the individual child or young person.
Bridgend Carers Centre
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We support people caring for family members, partners, friends or neighbours. We can help with information, support and social events.
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West Midlands
Filter by A.S.L.A.N - Autism support leek area network
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ASLAN is a parent support group for families who have children have autism, aspergers, traits of autisum. Who are undergoing assessment for ASD. We meet on a monthly basis for a support group.
A4U
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Provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and advocacy on all aspects of disability, to people with disabilities, their families and carers as well as health and social care professionals.
AbilityNet
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AbilityNet offers free services to enable disabled people of any age and with any disability to use computers and the internet at home, at work and in education. It offers telephone helpline and email support, factsheets about how disabled people can use computers and the internet, home visits from CRB-checked volunteers and free tools including My Computer, My Way and an Online Assessment Tool.
AS Active
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Play Group & Youth Groups in Stratford Upon Avon & Redditch/South Birmingham
ASA+ Autistic Spectrum Adults Plus
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ASA Plus is a Support and Social Group for Adults (18 years plus) who are on the Autistic Spectrum, and their parents or carers.
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Yorkshire and Humberside
Filter by A.S.P.E.C.S. (Autistic and Aspergers Persons of Every Category of (Queer) Sexuality)
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