Other Great Support Groups in California
These groups are not affiliated with TACA
General
En Español
Japanese
Adults Only Meetings
Online Communities for Adults
Autism Society North Orange County
Patti Arnold at 714-318-7571, 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30pm
South Orange County Autism Support Group
Beverly Lee 949-249-9277
Huntington Beach
Leaza Howe 714-841-6766
Access Autism Coalition for Creative Educational and Special Services
714-593-4906
The DADS Group
Norm Booth 714-961-1315
Foothill Autism
(serving Burbank, Glendale, La Canada, La Crescenta & Pasadena)
Meetings the 2nd Wednesday of every month in Pasadena.
818-66-AUTISM (818-662-8847).
Autism Society of America, Los Angeles
8939 S Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 110-788
Los Angeles, CA 90045, 562-804-5556
LA FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment)
2nd Monday of the Month at First Lutheran Church 1100 North Poinsettia Ave, Manhattan Beach 90266, Time: 7-9 p.m.
Gretchen Shanofsky, 866-4-LAFEAT
Orange County Asperger’s Support Group
949.854.7415 or Aspergers Meetup
Monthly meetings in Irvine, Placentia and Laguna Niguel.
These meetings are open to Adults, Parents of children and Children (age 11 and older) with:
• Asperger's (diagnosed and not diagnosed)
• Autism (HFA) (diagnosed and not diagnosed)
• PDD-NOS (diagnosed and not diagnosed)
It is suggested that children bring a book, gameboy or other activity. Informal socialization among children is encouraged but not forced. Children must be able to sit with other children during the meeting in a separate section from their parents. Speakers are invited to meetings no more than once per quarter (4 times a year). Speakers start from 8pm to allow time for members to connect with each other.
South Bay Autism Support Group
21231 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
Contact: Arwen Davis (310) 792-4508, Kristina Kilmer (310) 792-4509
This is support group for parents, come share information and resources with other families. Meetings are scheduled generally 2nd Tuesday evening of the month, 6:30-8:30 pm at Harbor Regional Center. Please contact facilitator for additional information.
Autism and Schools, Long Beach Support Group
1155 E. San Antonio drive, Suite B, Long Beach, CA 90807.
Contact: Brian Lockhart (310) 543-0605
A support group for parents with school-age children with autism
Los Angeles Asperger Syndrome Parent Support Group
3200 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Contact: Fran Goldfarb (310) 543-5064
E-Mail: beadsme@verizon.net or jdevine@lmu.edu
Meetings are 7-9 PM the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Julia Ann Singer. (Vista del Mar) Meetings are free and no reservations are necessary. Call for information.
Santa Clarita Autism Asperger Network (SCAAN)
P.O. Box 55542 Santa Clarita, CA 91385 Phone 661-297-8381
Meetings are usually on the 3rd Wednesday (9-11:30 a.m.) at Regional Center office in Valencia, and 3rd Thursday (7-9:30 p.m.) at a member’s home. Check website for exact schedule. No meetings in December.
Bakersfield
Unique Perspectives AS Support Group for Teens
Sponsored by H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection
• This group is for teenagers of high school age who have Asperger's Syndrome.
• Meeting time and Dates: To be announced. Please call for information.
• Location: H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Family Resource Center 31O1 N. Sillect Ave., Suite #115 Bakersfield, California
• Contact: Please call Cynthia at 661-399-0856. Calls will be returned promptly.
Sacramento Asperger Syndrome Information & Support Groups
Support groups meet from 7 PM - 9 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Three groups meet at the same time and location in separate rooms:
• Parents & Caregivers
• ASD teens/ASD adults, 16 and older
• Partners & Spouses of AS individuals
Location: UC Davis MIND Institute 2825 50th Street Sacramento CA 95817, 888-883-0961
BAASIS: Bay Area Asperger Syndrome Information and Support
Offers support groups for parents, adults, and teens in San Francisco/Oakland.
En Español
Angeles
Gloria Hernandez (714) 995-1955 or (714) 542-7032
Grupo de Apoyo en Español
Third Thursday of each month | 6:00-8:15pm
Parkway Community Center (Craft Room)
373 Park Way | Chula Vista, CA | 91910
Japanese Speaking Parents Association of Children with Challenges (JSPACC) is parent support organization of children with disabilities. We meet monthly in Little Tokyo, Downtown L.A. for parent education through seminars, workshops and networking. For more information go to www.jspacc.org or e-mail info@jspacc.org
For Adults on the Spectrum Only
From time to time TACA receives requests from adults on the spectrum for help. Unfortunately TACA does not specialize in adult issues, but we realize how important this issue is to many.
Please note, adults with autism are always welcomed at our group functions.
Below are different avenues for adults to receive help and build community with other adults on the spectrum.
Dr. Pontius' adults with autism group – South Orange County:
4th Monday of each month.
Call 949-459-6781 for time and room number
Saddleback Church, 1 Saddleback Parkway Lake Forest, CA 92630
Orange County Asperger’s Support Group
949.854.7415
Monthly meetings in Irvine, Placentia and Laguna Niguel.
Los Angeles
AGUA: Adult Gathering, United and Autistic
AGUA's homebase is Los Angeles County. AGUA was founded at an ASA Conference on Adults in April of l993. It is a self run support and social group for adults with a diagnosis of either autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Adults without a diagnosis may submit a reference from a local professional, stating that enough symptoms are verifiable of either condition, to warrant inclusion in AGUA.
AGUA is sponsored by three local ASA (Autism Society of America) Chapters. AGUA holds monthly meetings, usually on the third weekend, at homes and apartments of members. AGUA members must be able to manage their own behavior at meetings or are allowed to bring aides. AGUA has a wide spectrum of people: ages range from 18 to 52 and comparable variation exists on every level.
Beyond meetings, AGUA members are involved in the local community on all fronts, inclusion consulting, self-advocacy, panels, ASA and other autism activities, and social and vocational networking. Informal outings have included art museums, zoos and whale watching. Some AGUA members also belong to other adult organizations like Autism National Committee and People First of California.
Meetings are held on the 3rd weekend of each month, from 1-4 p.m. in West Los Angeles.
AGUA will accept penpals if they can meet membership criteria. Those interested in this, or more information on how to form support groups may may e-mail inquires to Ken Brewer or, Derek Hall at 323-980-8552.
Online Communities for Adults to Receive Support
ANI-Autism Network International
An autistic-run self-help and advocacy organization for autistic people. ANI offers annual retreats and an on-line discussion group. Members who live in close proximity to each other arrange get togethers.
Independent Living on the Autistic Spectrum
Online support group for individuals with autism or related disorders
The Square Circle
The Square Circle is a place where people with Asperger syndrome or similar autistic spectrum conditions can communicate with each other. It is ONLY for people who consider themselves to be on the autistic spectrum and who are genuinely interested in talking with and listening to others in the same situation. It is not a support group for parents and you may not join on behalf of a child.
University Students With Autism And Asperger's Syndrome
Wrong Planet
Wrong Planet is a web community designed for individuals (and parents of those) with Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and other PDDs. We provide a forum, where members can communicate with each other, an article section, where members may read and submit essays or how-to guides about various subjects, and a chatroom for real-time communication with other Aspies. Asperger's Syndrome, a pervasive development disorder, is a form of autism. People with Asperger's Syndrome usually have normal or above normal IQs. It is described as an inability to understand how to interact socially.
AspergersAndOtherHalf
Aspergers/NT Relationship support group: NT partners / spouses of individuals suspected to have, or officially diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome connect here with people facing similar situations and who understand the realities of living with a partner on the spectrum. This is a safe place where you can talk about your experiences without facing disbelief, finding women who are familiar with what you are going through and who will offer empathy and support.
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