All parents require a little bit of support at one time or another. Parents of children who have special needs can benefit from talking with other parents who are going through similar parenting experiences. It is a way to relieve stress, to find emotional support, and to feel understood. Here are some support groups for parents of children who have special needs.
Parents of Children With Special Needs is a support group that was created by a group of moms who have children with special needs. The moms in the group provide emotional and spiritual support for each other, and share medical and therapeutic information. They meet the first Friday morning of each month at the Osprey Clubhouse Meeting Room in FishHawk Ranch, in Lithia, Florida.
The Umbrella Network offers information and support to families of children with special needs in the Townsville area in Australia.
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania is a statewide program that provides support for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs. They connect parents with volunteers who have experienced similar situations.
Parents and Friends of Special Needs Children is a support group that offers listening ears, support, ideas, and information. Those with a special needs child or family member are welcome to join. The group meets at the Teays Valley Church of God in Scott Depot, West Virginia.
The Effingham County Navigator Team is a parent-run support group for parents and caregivers of special needs children (ages newborn to 26 years old). They meet at 6:30 in the evening on the second Tuesday of the month at the Blandford Elementary School media center in Rincon, Georgia.
All In Need, Family Support provides respite care to families with children ages 18 and under that have special needs. They understand that parenting a child that has a special need can, at times, be overwhelming. They are located in the East Bay Area, in Pleasant Hill, California.
If none of these groups are located near you, there is still hope. Check the website for your local newspaper to see if there is a parent of special needs children group that meets where you live.
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