Northeast Ohio Parent Support Groups / Mentors
This webpage is a resource. Milestones Autism 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
(440) 846-9845
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.
Parents Group For Those With Children 18 Years Old And Older
Judi Keene Greenspan
216-932-1989
I have been asked to facilitate a support group for PARENTS ONLY WITH A CHILD 18 and up with autism. This group is going to have the first meeting, June 22, 2009 at 7:00 PM- 9:00PM at the Shaker Community Building now called the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Building at 3450 Lee Road , ShakerHeights , Ohio.I am hoping we can identify issues of concern and try to find solutions to problems that have been identified.
The first few meetings have been scheduled: June 22, 2009, July 27, 2009, August 10, 2009, September 14, 2009.Please RSVP to Judi.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN):
Dora Raymaker (moderator)
A Yahoo Group 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.
Online Parent Support Groups, National
MDJunction
"A community of family members and friends dedicated to dealing with
Autism, together."
Yahoo Groups
Some groups require a membership. Sign up here to join Yahoo!
There are also Google Groups & groups at Ning.com
Autism Society
Autism Society of Greater Cleveland
Rory McLean - President
216-556-4937
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
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 info@milestones.org if there area any additions or changes for these support groups.
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
216-826-0527
Meetings held 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)
216-268-6471
Lakewood City Schools
Susan Hegarty (Parent Mentor)
216-529-4279
Mayfield City Schools
Zivile Khoury (Parent Mentor)
440-995-7484
Orange City Schools
O.P.E.N. Parent Group
Cindy Wiley
Parma City Schools
Michelle Pallo/Lisa Neumeyer (Parent Mentor)
440-885-3761
Shaker City Schools
Holly Palda (Parent Mentor)
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.
Solon City Schools
Donna Boss (Parent Mentor)
440-349-7757 ext. 8039
O.P.E.N. Organized Parent Education Network
South Euclid/Lyndhurst
Special Needs Advocacy and Parent Support (SNAPS) Parent Support Group
Brenda Goodman
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)
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
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
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)
330-297-1436
Partners For Full Potential Parent Support (PFFP) Aurora, Ohio
Vicki Webster
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
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)
330 678-2216 (x1226)
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Stark County
Autism Support Group
Carmelita Smith and Angela Howard
(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
Peak Potential Therapy
Holly Reimann
330-405-8776
This support group will consist of a group of parents, relatives, guardians, and care-givers. We welcome their questions, and assist them in making informed decisions for their children. The primary purpose is to meet and share information, especially with regard to helping children, relatives, and others affected by a disability. Meeting at
8848 Commons Blvd., Suite 101 Twinsburg, OH 44087
Cuyahoga Falls City Schools
GeorgeAnne Pinter (Parent Mentor)
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)
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
330-689-5426
Twinsburg City Schools
Beckey Thomas (Parent Mentor)
330-486-2416
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Wayne County
OASIS (Organization for Autism Spectrum Information & Support)
Angel Thompson
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
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
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.
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Contact info@milestones.org if there area any additions or changes for these support groups. |
