Support groups
Adhd/ADD
Metrowest CHADD: Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 7-9PM at Wayland Town Hall, School Committee Meeting Room, 41 Cochituate Road.
CONTACT: Wendy Peverill-Conti, 508-655-2590
ANGELMAN SYNDROMEAngelman Syndrome Foundation: This group meets periodically; call for dates and times. CONTACT: Kathy O’Loughlin, 781-275-0166 E-MAIL: katstac@aol.com APRAXIA (oral and/or verbal) Apraxia Parent Support Group: Check website for exact schedule; usually meets 4-5 times a year on weekends, Burlington Public Library, Burlington. CONTACT: Caroline ARTHRITIS Arthritis Foundation-Newton: Parent Support Group meets periodically; call for dates and times. CONTACT: 617-244-1800, ext 119 ASPERGER’S SYNDROME AANE Parents of School-Age Children: Meets the 1st Monday of the month from 7:30-9PM at the AANE Office, 182 Main Street, Watertown. CONTACT: Dania Jekel, 617-393-3824
AANE Parents of High School Students: Meets the last Tuesday of the month, from 7:30-9PM at the AANE office, 182 Main Street, Watertown. CONTACT: Stephanie Loo, 617-393-3824
AANE Parents of Young Children: Meets the 4th Monday of the month from 9:30-11AM at the AANE office, 182 Main Street, Watertown. CONTACT: Stephanie Loo, 617-393-3824
AANE Parents of Elementary/Middle School Students: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7-9PM at Minuteman ARC, 1269 Main Street, West Concord. CONTACT: Denise Grenier, 781-862-3437 Asperger’s/HFA Support Group: Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM at the Shaw’s Market Conference Room, Rte. 3A and Beechwood Street, Cohasset. CONTACT: Anne Reel, 781-383-2131 Parents of Children with Aspergers and Related Disorders: Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30PM at Westborough Unitarian Church, Rte. 30. Call for details. CONTACT: Gina Beaney, 508-366-7045
Parents of School Age Children / Metrowest Area: Meets the 4th Monday of every month from 7:15-8:45PM @ the Natick Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick. CONTACT: Christine Connolly, 508-359-6283
ASTHMA AND ALLERGY Asthma and Allergy Foundation/ New England Metro-Boston: Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7PM at Newton Wellesley Hospital, call to confirm. CONTACT: Sharon Schumack, AAFA 617-965-7771 Metro-West Allergy & Asthma Support Group/Framingham: Meets from 7-9PM at Allergy & Asthma Treatment Specialists, 475 Franklin St, Suite 206, Framingham. Call for dates. CONTACT: Linda Drews or Lori Brockway, AAFA, 617-965-7771 Northwest Suburban Boston Area/Lexington: Meets from 7-9PM at Beth Israel and Children’s Hospital Medical Care Center, 482 Bedford Street, Lexington. Call for dates. CONTACT: Sharon Schumack, AAFA 617-965-7771 Southeastern Food Allergy Support Group: Meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call for dates and times. Pediatric Specialists 132 Central Street, Foxboro. CONTACT: Sharon Shumack, AAFA 617-965-7771 Waltham/Watertown Food Allergy Support Group: Held periodically at Media Center of Waltham High School. Call for dates and times. CONTACT: Sharon Shumack, AAFA 617-965-7771
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
BANDS Together (Braintree Autism Network for our Daughters and Sons): Meets every 2nd Monday at 7:30PM at Emmanuel Parish, 519 Washington Street, Braintree (corner of West Street). Meetings are open to all parents or guardians who live in Braintree or whose child attends school in Braintree. CONTACT: Natasha Chomas, 781-356-4740
Common Bonds: This is a networking and informational group for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, that meets periodically. CONTACT: Kris Kroc, 781-444-9762; call Kris for information about website access for parent networking. Dads of Children with Autism: Meets at the Family Autism Center, Westwood on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:15–8:45PM. Facilitator: Jerry Jacobs, LICSW. CONTACT: John Kelly, 617-868-4858, Ext. 206
First Tuesday Group for Parents of Children with Autism/PDD: Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 7:30–9:30PM at the Family Autism Center, Westwood. CONTACT: Lois Kraus, 781-329-6874 (Please call first.) Grandparents of Children with Autism: Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 9:30–11:30AM at the Family Autism Center, Westwood.CONTACT: Dick McKeen, 617-825-0589
Medfield Parents Alliance: Support group for families of children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Developmental Delays: meetings and workshops are scheduled at the convenience of its members. CONTACT: Jennifer DeCoste, 508-359-2033 or Michelle Giunta McKay, 508-359-8547 Residential Support Group: Parents of children in residential placement come together to discuss issues and provide support to each other. Meetings are on the 1st Tuesday of every month from 7:30-9:30PM at the Family Autism Center, Weymouth. CONTACT: Nancy Borr, 781-784-7681
South Coastal Support Group for Families of Children with Autism: This group meets on the 2nd Monday of the month from 10AM-Noon at the Autism Center of the South Shore, 190 Lincoln Street (Rte. 3A) at the Anderson Dental Building, 2nd Floor. CONTACT: Karen Schusterman, 781-749-8568
WANDS (Weymouth Autism Network for our Daughters and Sons): A networking group in Weymouth; meets from 6:30-8PM at the Tuft's Library. Call for details. CONTACT: Jennifer Collova @ (781) 335-1534 or JCSWEY@aol.com for details.
BEREAVEMENT GROUPS Bereavement Group of Foxboro: Within this group is “The Circle” whose mission is to provide bereavement support to families who have lost a parent or sibling. Meets September to May, every other Monday evening at the Foxboro Regional Charter School, 131 Central Street. CONTACT: Noreen Sherys, 508-543-1252 or 508-543-7336
CARDIAC CONDITIONS Little Hearts of Massachusetts Parent Support Group: Call or check website for information on meeting date, time, and place. If you are interested in forming a Greater Boston chapter, please the national headquarters. CONTACT: Lenore Cameron, 866-436-HOPE (4673) CROHN’S DISEASE AND COLITIS Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Parent Support Group: This group meets periodically at Harvard-Vanguard Medical Associates, Conference Room 2, 230 Worcester Street (Rte. 9), Wellesley, from 12:30-2PM. Childcare is available. CONTACT: Marcia Shuman, 781-449-0324, ext 20 DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY Latino Health Institute Educational Support Group for Families with Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (all ages, Spanish-speaking families): Meets on the last Thursday of every month from 10AM-Noon at Latino Health Institute, 95 Berkeley Street, Boston. Call to register. CONTACT: Delia Malqui, 617-350-6900, Ext. 193 Yesodot: Call for meeting schedule and more information. CONTACT: Sue Wolf-Fordham, Jewish Vocational Service, 617-542-1993, Ext. 299; Toll-free: 866-JVS-WORK, TTY 617-451-1496 DIABETES Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Networking Coffees: Groups meet monthly to discuss a variety of topics. Please call for dates, times and locations. CONTACT: Kristin Dolberg, 781-431-0700 Parent Coffees: Monthly or bi-monthly meetings offered from September to June in different locations. Call to be on the mailing list for the schedule.
Contact: Lauren Shields, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, New England/ Bay State Branch, Wellesley, 781-431-0700 DOWN SYNDROME / SINDROME DE DOWN Familias Latinas Unidas por el Sindrome de Down: Un Sabado por mes, 10AM-Noon, Federación para Niños con Necesidades Especiales, 1135 Tremont Street, Suite 420, Boston. Llame para las fechas. Se Provee quidado de niños. CONTACT: Marilyn Gutierrez, Federación para Niños con Necesidades Especiales, 617-236-7210, Ext.351
Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress: Call for assistance in locating local support group meetings. CONTACT: 800-664-MDSC (6372) Metro West Parents of Children with Down Syndrome: Meets on a monthly basis in Hopkinton. Call for more information. CONTACT: 508-856-6682
South Shore Parents: Meets periodically in Cohasset; call for date, time and location. CONTACT: Wilma, 781-659-7233, or Taffy, 781-383-0895 EATING DISORDERS MEDA Support Group: Hope and Inspiration is a free drop-in group that takes place on the 1st Saturday each month from 10:00-11:00AM at the MEDA (an eating disorder treatment and prevention organization) office located at 92 Pearl Street, Newton. During the hour, a recovered individual shares his or her story of recovery, leaving time for discussion and questions.CONTACT: MEDA, 617-558-1881, Ext. 12 EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE DISORDERS Parent and Family Network Get-Togethers: Meets 4th Monday of each month from 7-9PM in the Meeting Room, Melrose Public Library, West Emerson Street, Melrose. (Changes when Monday is a holiday; call for schedule.) CONTACT: Susan Welby, Epilepsy Fnd. of Mass. and R.I., 617-506-6041, Ext.19 FRAGILE X SYNDROME Frax’em: Meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 10AM-Noon in Tewksbury. Please call for location. CONTACT: Sandra Morse, 978-927-5269
GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER RELATIVES RAISING CHILDREN Kinship Support Group: Meets monthly from 10AM-Noon @ KINnection, MSPCC, 555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain. Call for dates. CONTACT: Jenniffer K. Munguia, 617-983-5850
HAITIAN AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES (HAPHI) Family Support Group: Meets the last Sunday of the month at 10 Fairway Street, Mattapan. Please note: Department of Mental Referral needed. CONTACT: Dr. Raphael, 617-298-8076
LEARNING DISABILITIES TAWK: Talking As a Way of Knowing: This is a support group for families of children with non-verbal learning disabilities (NLD). The group meets monthly with parents and has facilitated group activities for kids. Call for details. CONTACT: Barbara Wilder-Smith LEUKEMIA/LYMPHOMA Leukemia/Lymphoma Society: Family Support groups meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Call for location and time. CONTACT: Leah Sherman, 800-688-6572, Ext. 20
LIMB DEFICIENCY Helping Hands Foundation: A support group made up of parents who have children with upper limb differences and who are concerned with the challenges facing the child and the entire family. Massachusetts Chapter is located in Medfield. MEDICAL SUPPORT Kids with Tubes: Support group for parents and caregivers of tube-fed children; speakers meet with the group on a variety of issues and concerns. CONTACT: Irene Walborsky, 781-275-0469
New Hope Coalition: Meets at Winchester Town Hall; for parents of children 18 years or younger who experience multiple, severe and complex medical needs. CONTACT: Eileen Lee, 978-738-0070
TrachCare, Inc.: Statewide support for parents of children of all ages who have a tracheostomy. Telephone support and occasional group meetings are available. CONTACT: Julie Leahy, 617- 527-1990 MENTAL HEALTH Arlington Parent Support Group: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 7-9PM at 406 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington (opposite the fire station). CONTACT: Anne Sullivan, 781-643-2580, Ext. 123
Caregivers for the Mentally Ill: Sponsored by the Norfolk Alliance for the Mentally Ill, meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 7PM in the cafeteria of the Norwood Caritas Hospital, 800 Washington St., Norwood. CONTACT: Ray Breton, 508-668-2941
Metrowest Parent Support Group: Meets monthly on the 2nd and 4th Monday from 6:30-8:30PM at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, 75 Fountain Street, Framingham. CONTACT: Lois DeRusha, Parent Support Coordinator, Wayside Youth, 508-620-0010 x308 Metro Suburban Support Group: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday from 7-9:30PM at Wayside Youth & Family, 406 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington. Reimbursement for childcare. CONTACT: Anne Sullivan, 781-643-2580, Ext. 123 NAMI Newton-Wellesley Support Group: Meets each 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7-9PM at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Call for exact location. CONTACT: Eileen O’Toole, 781-444-0750
NAMI Parent Support Group, Norwood: Meets the 1st Thursday of every month from 7-9PM at Caritas Norwood Hospital. Call for room information. CONTACT: Ray Breton, 508-668-2941
NAMI Parent Support Group, Quincy: Meets at the Quincy Mental Health Center, 460 Quincy Avenue, Quincy. Call for dates and times. CONTACT: Fanny Zambuto, 781-878-4400
NAMI Support Group, Somerville: Meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:30PM at Somerville Hospital, 230 Highland Avenue, Somerville. CONTACT: Karyn, 781-861-8819 PAL Parent Support Group, Acton: Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 10AM-Noon at the Acton Memorial Library, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 486 Main Street. Reimbursement for childcare. CONTACT: Anne Sullivan, Parent Support Coordinator, 781-643-2580, Ext. 123 Project Connect Support Network: Meets the 1st Monday of each month from 7-9PM at the Norwood Civic Center, 165 Nahatan Street, Norwood.CONTACT: Janet Furnari, 617-983-5805 or Bernadette Giacoppo, 617-983-5820
The Father’s Group: Meets on Thursdays from 7:30-9PM at the Striar JCC, 445 Central Street, Stoughton. CONTACT: Nancy Present, LICSW, 781-341-2016, Ext. 201
MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE Mitochondrial Disorders Support Group: Meets monthly at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. CONTACT: Bill Shea, 508-946-7194
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Parent Support Group: Meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:30PM–9PM at the MDA Office, 275 Turnpike Street, Suite 201, Canton. CONTACT: Christine, Healthcare Services Coordinator, Muscular Dystrophy Association, 781-575-1881
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS Rett Syndrome Support Group: Meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at ARC of Massachusetts, Waltham. Call for more information. CONTACT: 781-891-6270
NON-VERBAL LEARNING DISABILITIES TAWK (Talk As a Way of Knowing) Support Group for Parents of Children with NLD: Monthly meetings at Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick, often with speakers. Call for schedule. CONTACT: Barbara Wilder-Smith, 508-650-8885
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (OCF) / Greater Boston Support Group for Friends and Family: Meets 1st Tuesday of every month at the DeMarneffe Bldg., McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont. Call for meeting time. Obsessive Compulsive Foundation(OCF) / Greater Boston Support Program: Meets 1st Tuesday of every month, beginning at 5:30PM at the DeMarneffe Bldg., McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont. ($25 fee) Parent Support Group: Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10-11:30AM at the Boyden Library, Foxboro. PARENTING SUPPORT Boston Family Support Group for Cantonese/Mandarin-speaking families: Meets every other month on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 4-6PM at the Josiah Quincy School Elementary School. Group coordinator: Agnes Wong CONTACT: Lusa Lo Mothers and Infants who are Creole-Speaking: Meets at Thom Boston Metro Early Intervention, 555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain. Please call for dates and time. CONTACT: Sonnia Borgard, 617-383-6522
Parent Association who Cantonese/Mandarin-speaking families: Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Great Wall Center, 110 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor, Malden. CONTACT: Lily Chin, 781-388-6931
Parents Helping Parents: Call for schedule of all groups and for exact locations in the region. CONTACT: The Roundtable of Support, 1-800-882-1250
Support Group for Mothers and Babies Under 1 Year: Meets on Tuesdays from 10-11:30AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 97 South Street, Jamaica Plain. Call for details. (Sponsored by The Center for Early Relationship Support, JFCS.)
CONTACT: Andrea W. Insoft, 617-558-1278
Support Group for Mothers and Babies Under 1 Year: Meets on Wednesdays from 10:30-Noon at Temple Obahei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline. (Sponsored by The Center for Early Relationship Support, JFCS.) CONTACT: Andrea W. Insoft, 617-558-1278
Support Group for Mothers and Babies Under 1 Year: Meets on Mondays from 10:30-Noon at Temple Eitz Chayem, 134-136 Magazine Street, Cambridge. (Sponsored by The Center for Early Relationship Support, JFCS.) CONTACT: Andrea W. Insoft, 617-558-1278
Support Group for Mothers and Babies Under 1 Year: Meets on Thursdays from 10-11:30AM at Havurat Shalom, 113 College Avenue, Somerville. (Sponsored by The Center for Early Relationship Support, JFCS.) CONTACT: Andrea W. Insoft, 617-558-1278
New Fathers Support Group: Meets every other Tuesday from 7-8:30PM at Heritage House at Vernon Court, 430 Centre Street, Newton Centre. Call to register. (Sponsored by The Center for Early Relationship Support, Jewish Family and Children’s Service.) CONTACT: Victor Nussbaum, 617-558-1278
This Isn’t What I Expected: A Postpartum Adjustment Group: Meets Tuesdays, 10-11:30AM at Second Church of Newton, 61 Chestnut Street, West Newton. CONTACT: Kaylee Murphy, 781-647-5327, Ext. 2208
SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER SPD-Parents Connect: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7-8:30PM at OTA Watertown, 124 Watertown Street, Watertown. CONTACT: Carrie Pekor-Jasper, 617-964-0138 Sensory Integration Issues Parent Support Group: Meets once a month at the Congregational Church, 24 South Main Street, Sharon. Call for details.CONTACT: Smadar Gekow, 781-784-9086 SIBLING SUPPORT Sibling Support Group (ages 5-12): Wayside Family Works offers this group on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 6-8PM at Wayside Academy, 31 Main Street, Marlborough. CONTACT: Lois DeRusha, Parent Support Coordinator, Wayside Youth, 508-620-0010 x308 SPINA BIFIDA Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts: The Spina Bifida Association hosts a listserv for families who have loved ones with Spina Bifida. CONTACT: 888-479-1900 TRANSITION EDUCATION GROUP Transition Education Group for Parents of Young Adults (ages 15-25): An educational/informational group for parents of adolescents/young adults with behavioral, emotional, or learning challenges. Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 7—9PM at TEMPO Young Adult Resource Center, 68 Henry Street, Framingham. CONTACT: Lois DeRusha, Parent Support Coordinator, Wayside Youth, 508-620-0010 x308
VISION IMPAIRMENT Low Vision Support Group: Come and learn more about vision loss, listen to guest speakers, share coping strategies, and the company of others. Meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 1PM at the Senior Center. This is an open group with an informal hour of sharing. Newcomers are welcome. CONTACT: Noreen Sherys, 508-543-1252 or 508-543-7336
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