Local Resources  

National Resources  

Parent Support  
ABA Seek/Post
Recreation Programs
Social Groups  
Northeast Ohio Parent Support Groups / Mentors

This webpage is a resource. Milestones Organization does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services from any of the groups or companies listed below.

Support Groups Listed by County

Online Parent Support Groups, Cleveland, Ohio

Greater Cleveland Asperger's Support
Theresa Szalkowski Moderator
pennycat3@juno.com
(440) 846-9845
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gc-as
We are a group of nearly 200 Northeast Ohio parents and caregivers of
children affected by Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder and Hgh Functioning Autism. Our membership also includes professionals specializing in pediatric neurology, psychology and psychiatry, counseling, occupational therapy and special ed law.  You can post a question or share experiences any time on-line through our Yahoo e-mail forum.   You will also find information on local service providers, programs, seminars and social activities.  We meet periodically over dinner to share experiences and trade information.


Parent to Parent for Autism NE Ohio Online Support Group
Marian Helmick Moderator
http://hometown.aol.com/parentschat/homepage.html
DMHelmick1@wmconnect.com
216-310-9692
We provide networking, information, a parent discussion email group, a
parent contact list for finding a family in your area, family get
togethers, and outings. Our information regards our Northeast Ohio
area and we have directories for schools, therapy services, Doctors /
physician list, other lists of interests, and health and therapy
information.

ASAN starts online group for teens with autism

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN):

Dora Raymaker (moderator)
dora@aaspireproject.org mailto:dora@aaspireproject.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASANTeens
A new yahoo group has just been created to be open exclusively for adolescents and teens on the autism spectrum, offering an opportunity for autistic adolescents and teens to interact in a supportive, autistic-friendly internet environment. It is sponsored by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, an international non-profit
organization run by and for autistic adults and youth, working to
advance neurodiversity, disability rights and autistic culture.
Group Rules:
1. To join you must be on the autism spectrum (self-diagnosed
individuals are welcome) and at least 13 years of age.
2. Be respectful of your fellow list members.
3. Do not repost messages outside of the list.
4. If you have a question, feel free to ask.
5. Do not engage in personal attacks against other list members.

The list will be closely moderated by adults from the Autistic Self
Advocacy Network to ensure that all list content remains legal,
age-appropriate, free of spam and solicitation, and in compliance with the group rules.

Online Parent Support Groups, National

MDJunction
"A community of family members and friends dedicated to dealing with
Autism, together."

AutismLink

A new yahoo group where parents can discuss marital troubles, divorce, and raising a child(ren) with autism spectrum disorder as a single parent.

Autism Society

Autism Society of America, North Central Ohio Chapter
Avon Lake Public Library
7:00- 9:00 pm, second Tuesday each month
www.ncoc-asa.org

Autism Society of Greater Cleveland
Rory McLean - President
216-556-4937
www.asgc.org
6:30-8:30 pm, first Tuesday of every month at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center on 8001 Brecksville Rd. in Brecksville OH
The goal of this Chapter is to help you; parents, caregivers, individuals with autism, and professionals, grow in understanding so that you may comfortably and confidently work together toward brighter futures. We cannot take your place. You have an important role to play in ensuring the best possible outcomes for individuals with autism. Our efforts are aimed at helping you to make the best decisions possible. We function as a catalyst for change by providing you with support and the very latest information, so that your insight and talents are able to be used to their fullest potential.

Autism Society of Greater Akron

Lisa Weaver - President

330-543-3955

www.asagreaterakron.com


Support Groups Listed by County

Cuyahoga County
Geauga County
Lake County
Lorain County
Medina County
Portage County

Stark County

Summit County

Wayne County
Akron Area

Contact infomilestones@yahoo.com if there area any additions or changes for these support groups.

Ohio Parent Mentor Website- If county is not listed.


Cuyahoga County

Bay Village City Schools
Mary Woods (Parent Mentor)
bayparentmentor@aol.com

440-617-7625

Brecksville-Broadview Heights
QUEST Parent Support Group
Heidi Karthan
440-740-0098
Carin Kubera
440-546-9165
The group meets at the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Media Center Library from 6:45 - 9:00 pm Their next meeting is April 3rd.  They meet every other month.

Brookpark

Michele Abraham

440-724-1848

Michelle Javorsky

Frederick3@roadrunner.com

216-826-0527

We will have our first meeting at 7:00 on April 24th at: United Methodist Church 6220 Smith Road Brookpark, OH  44142

Cleveland Municipal Schools
Raychelle Reeves (Parent Mentor)
216-592-7264
Sandra Jordan (Parent Mentor)
216-592-7265


East Cleveland City Schools
Jackie Reid
(Parent Mentor)
jreidmentor@yahoo.com
216-268-6471

Lakewood City Schools
Susan Hegarty (Parent Mentor)
Susan.Hegarty@lakewood.k12.oh.us
216-529-4279

Mayfield City Schools
Zivile Khoury (Parent Mentor)
Zkhoury@mayfield.k12.oh.us
440-461-8235

Orange City Schools

O.P.E.N. Parent Group
Cindy Wiley
Open_orangeoh@hotmail.com
www.Open_OrangeSchools.Tripod.com
May/2008 – Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities – Transition to College
May 17, 2008 – Orange Jubilee Kids Fun Run


Parma City Schools
Michelle Pallo/Lisa Neumeyer (Parent Mentor)
440-885-3761

Shaker City Schools
Holly Palda (Parent Mentor)
Palda_h@shaker.org
216-295-4372
This support group, for families of children with special needs, generally meets the 4th Thursday of every month for networking and  a workshop from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Shaker Heights Middle School, located at 20600 Shaker Blvd.  To confirm date and topic of meeting contact Holly Palda, Parent Mentor, at 295-4372 or by email at palda_h@shaker.org.

Solon City Schools
Donna Boss (Parent Mentor)
Dboss@solonboe.org
440-349-7757 ext. 5184
O.P.E.N. Organized Parent Education Network

South Euclid/Lyndhurst
Special Needs Advocacy and Parent Support (SNAPS) Parent Support Group
Brenda Goodman
Doublebn@aol.com
SNAPS is a parent based group designed to support and educate other interested parents of special needs children in our community.  In addition to a speaker series, regular monthly meetings occur on the 2nd Friday of the month.  Please join us in becoming effective advocates for our children and great supporters to each other!

Strongsville City Schools
Teresa Karsnak (Parent Mentor)
Karsnak@strongnet.org
440-572-6593

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Geauga County


Anne Porter (Parent Mentor/Advocate)
440-279-1738

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Lake County

Autism Parent Support


Tia Kozlovich LSW, M.Ed
Family/Education Coordinator
(440) 477-6544
Tia.Kozlovich@weschools.org
Parent/Professional Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:30-9:00 Arabica Coffee House, Erie Street Downtown Willoughby. Everyone is welcome.
This group is for families, professionals or anyone who has or works with a child with ASD.Group offers support, advocacy, resource, referral, regular speakers on varied topics, resource library and many other families.Facilitator is also parent of child with Autism.

Mentor Local Schools

Kelly Slovenkay (Parent Mentor)

440-974-5258

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Lorain County

Autism Society of America, North Central Ohio Chapter
Avon Lake Public Library
7:00- 9:00 pm, second Tuesday each month
www.ncoc-asa.org
October 9, Steps Behavioral Consulting Services
November 13, Karen Lyke, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)


Sandy Gasior (Parent Mentor)
gasior@esclc.org
440-967-8355
Northern Ohio SERRC

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Medina County

Autistic Spectrum Kids
Brenda Goodwin, president of A.S.K.
(330) 723-4778
Email: askaboutautism@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.askaboutautism.org
We are a support group for families who are affected by autism spectrum disorders. We have meetings, speakers, family get-togethers and advocacy.

Special Children Support Group

Chuck Provance

(216) 780-2508

Brunswick Recreation Center

All Parents with concerns, issues and obstacles
regarding their Special Needs Child are encouraged to attend.

Parents of any child regardless of their child’s disability are
welcome to attend our meetings and encouraged to discuss
their specific issues pertaining to their child or family.

No child care

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Portage County

Portage County Parent Mentor

(Aurora, Streetsboro, Crestwood, Rootstown and Windham)

Kelly Butler (Parent Mentor)

kbutler@portage-esc.org

330-297-1436

Partners For Full Potential Parent Support (PFFP) Aurora, Ohio
Vicki Webster
aurorapffp@yahoo.com
330.995.4440
Parent Coffee and Conversation at Starbucks Coffee in Aurora. It is an open forum to share ideas, strategies, contacts & learn from other parent’s experiences.   Our first Coffee will be Thursday October 25th at 9 am.

Field Local Schools
Robin Howard (Parent Mentor)
Field Local Schools, Mogadore
rhowardpm@aol.com

330-677-2509 x3017

Kent City Schools
Jeanne Schmidlin
(Parent Mentor)
Ke_parentmentor@kentschools.net
Susan Foley
330-676-7661

Southeast Local Schools
Sandra Craft (Parent Mentor)
sandra.craft@att.net
330 678-2216 (x1226)

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Stark County

Autism Support Group

Becky Milsap (Parent Mentor)

330-588-2145

Canton

Asperger's Family Support Group

Dana and Malinda Evans

devansohio@myfishonline.net
330-877-1905
Location @ Summit Academy, 2400 Cleveland Ave. N.W./Canton

Meets every other month with a resource person to cover topics that have been requested by parents.

Dragonfly Academy

330-488-8100

This support group is for adult family and community members. Featured speakers and general discussions will take place during this time. Please check out their sibs support group also!

SCAAN – Stark County Autism Awareness Network
Matilda

330-445-1225

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Summit County

Cuyahoga Falls City Schools
GeorgeAnne Pinter (Parent Mentor)
cf_pinter@cfalls.org
330-926-3800 ext.2041

Woodridge Local Schools
Jeanne Schmidlin (Parent Mentor)
Ke_parentmentor@kentschools.net
Susan Foley (Parent Mentor)
330-928-9074 ext 320

Hudson City Schools

Diane Rudzitis (Parent Mentor)
rudzitid@hudson.edu
330-653-1296
SPED support group meeting for parents of kids with all special
needs in Hudson at the Hudson Library on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
from 9:30 - 11:30 am.

Stow- Munroe Falls City Schools
Barb Greenwald and Sue Zavodnik (Parent Mentor)
Stow-Monroe Falls Board of Education
st_greenwald@smfcsd.org
st_zavodnik@smfcsd.org
330-689-5426

Twinsburg City Schools
Beckey Thomas (Parent Mentor)
bthomas@twinsburg.k12.oh.us
330-486-2416

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Wayne County

OASIS (Organization for Autism Spectrum Information & Support)
Angel Thompson

oasis_wc@yahoo.com

Meetings are every other month, third Monday from 7- 8:30 pm

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Akron Area

Akron Children's Hospital

Parent Mentor Program

330-543-3072

Autism Society of Greater Akron

Lisa Weaver - President

330-543-3955

www.asagreaterakron.com

7:00 pm, third Tuesday of every other month at Akron Children's Hospital (William Considine Professional Building) The Greater Akron Chapter offers support, guidance and general information about Autism and other related spectrum disorders such as PDD & Asperger Syndrome.


ASPIES Support Group
Joy Spencer
Rreindeer@aol.com
330-745-5115

6:30-8:30pm, 3rd Tuesday of each month Parent Support Group 7:00-9:00pm, 1st Thursday of each month Adult Support Group (18 years & older) Family members are welcome to attend.  Both groups meet at the William Considine Professional Building in rooms 5 & 6 across from the main entrance of Akron Children's Hospital. www.asagreaterakron.com

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Contact infomilestones@yahoo.com if there area any additions or changes for these support groups.

 

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