Support Groups
State and local support groups for all ages with a wide variety of resources, help, events, and meetings.
Autism Society of Greater Phoenix & Affiliates Support Meetings:
Autism Society of Greater Phoenix/ROK Support Meeting
This group is for all people interested in autism, including parents of children/adults, people with Autism/Asperger’s, and the general public. There is no admission charge for the meeting.
Meets: 4th Tuesday of each month from 6-7-Q&A, 7-8:30-Speaker
Location: Coco’s Restaurant at Paradise Valley Mall, 4514 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, 85032-7702.
Contact: For AS-GP contact us at info@phxautism.org or call (480) 940-1093 for more information or for ROK: Cynthia Macluskie at cynthia.marksmom@cox.net
East Valley Autism Network (EVAN)
EVAN is a parent-led organization dedicated to providing hope, information and support for families with children on the autism spectrum. We are striving to implement positive lasting changes in the educational system for the success of our children as well as inclusion and acceptance of those with autism spectrum disorder in the community.
Meets: Every other month (alternating with ABC-below) on the 3rd Tuesday evening of the month at 7:00pm (August/October/January/March)
Location: Usually at Holly’s home in Gilbert.
Contacts: Melissa Van Hook: melissavanhook@hotmail.com; Katie Wride: wridetribe@cox.net; Holly Reycraft: hreycraft@cox.net
Autism Biomedical Connections (ABC)
ABC is an East Valley support group for parents who are using or are interested in learning more about biomedical interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Meetings will include information to reduce toxins, address GI function and improve the nutrition and health of children with autism. Come and share resources, recipes and research updates. This group promotes learning and discussion of improving children’s outcomes. We exist to share options with parents and we desire to establish a supportive community for parents using any type of biomedical interventions.
Meets: Every other month (alternating with EVAN-above) on the 3rd Tuesday evening of the month at 7:00pm (September/November/February/April)
Location: Usually at Heidi’s home in Gilbert
Website: http://abcaz.synthasite.com/
Other Metro Phoenix Support Groups-
Northwest Valley Autism Support Meeting
Meets: 2nd Monday of each month.
Location: New Life Community Church, 8155 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ 85381.
Contact: shellyvin@cox.net or (623) 572-5289.
North Phoenix High Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Family Network
It’s all about our kids! New North Phoenix high functioning autism/Asperger group to help share information on doctors, therapies, school issues, camps and counseling. If you are one of our neighbors who live in North Phx, North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek or Carefree, you are invited to join.
4512 E Juniper Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Email: hfautism@cox.net
602.492.8033 (leave message and we will get back to you)
Website: www.phoenixautism.com
Dads 4 Special Kids (D4SK)
This is a group of dads/men that have a child with special needs in their life. They also have a Buckeye group that meets.
Meets: Third Saturday of the month from 9:30-11:00 am.
Location: Shiloh Community Church, 19021 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85050 (N. of Union Hills)
Contact: Ray Morris at 602-909-5463 or ray@dads4specialkids.com
Asperger Parent Network (APN)
APN offers information and support for families of children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome, and for professionals who work with them. Monthly meetings and online e-group.
Contact: Carolyn Warden at (480) 759-6329
Website: www.apn.150m.com
Connecting, Learning, and Special Education Support (Ahwatukee, Chandler, Tempe) CLASS ACT Support Group
Do you have a child with special needs? Are you looking for support and local information about schools, therapists, and social
interactions for your child? Come join other parents of special needs children for support, information, and networking.
Meets: 1st Tuesday of every month at 7pm
Location: Melissa Shah’s House, 16041 S. 27th Street Phoenix, AZ 85048 (near Chandler Blvd & 28th St)
Resources, Inspiration, Support, Empowerment (RISE)
RISE is a support group for parents of children with disabilities. An informal gathering that meets once a month, this “parents supporting parents” format seeks to provide opportunities to share and support each other.
Meets: first Saturday of every month from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Contact: info@higheroctavehealing.com
Men Meet Autism
An informal gathering of men who have someone in their life affected by autism. Fathers, grandfathers, adult siblings, friends of someone with autism. Come together in a laid back setting and autism is usually the forefront of most conversations.
Meets: Varies
Location: Zipps Sports Grill 211 E Warner Rd Gilbert 85296
Contact: Jason Geroux at 480-748-8620 Email: jasonautismaz@gmail.com to get on email list
Crossroads Autism Ministry Support group for people on the Autism Spectrum and Neurotypical people looking to connect in the East Valley.
Meets: 1st and 3rd Friday of every month
Location: Guthrie Mainstream Ability Center, 6549 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85205
Contact: Sam Bartlow at 480-251-4261or circumstantialterror@yahoo.com
Fountain Hills, In Teaching Our Unique Children (FH-InTOUCH)
A support group for parents and caregivers of special needs children living in Fountain Hills.
Meets: Monthly, time and day to be determined for this next school year
Contact: fhintouch@cox.net
Website: www.members.cox.net/fhintouch/
Adults & Parents of Adults Support Groups
Adults with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Group
Contact: Tara at jamethiel9@hotmail.com or (602) 421-2215
Parents of Adult Aspergers Group
Meets: 2nd Saturday of each month.
Location: Pyle Center in Tempe.
Contact: Sherman Minkoff at SabaHJM@aol.com or (480) 209-1952.
Adults with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Group
Tempe Contact: trish_crew@yahoo.com
Phoenix Contact: Tom at (602) 340-8717
Tuscon Contact: Jerry Newport at jwholphin48@aol.com or (520) 770-1591.
Online Asperger’s support group: go to http://www.meetup.com/AZ-aspie-adults-and-parents/ to join.
National Autism Self-Advocacy Network- Arizona Chapter
We are a new chapter of the national Autism Self-Advocacy Network and are looking for members who are interested in supporting autistic individuals who are seeking to advocate for themselves. We welcome anyone who is on the autism spectrum, or who lives or works with individuals on the spectrum or related disorders, who would like to help us speak up for what autistic people need and present to the world what autistic individuals are capable of doing and contributing to society. We need and welcome individuals with any type of disability who have fought for their rights and the respect they deserve who can guide us along that same path.
Meets: 2nd Friday of every month
Location: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington St. Phoenix
Time:6:30 – 8:00 pm
Contact: Sue at makingsenseofautism@msn.com
Website: www.autisticadvocacy.org
West Side Group For Adults with Autism/Aspergers
Location: 5970 W. Brown Street (1 block south of Peoria ave, west of 59th Ave).
Contact: Hope at hopehagen@juno.com
Website: http://www.meetup.com/Westside-Autism-Aspergers-support-group/
En Español
East Valley Autism Support Group for Spanish-Speakers
Group meets with experts from different fields related to autism. Group shares valuable information and offers support to families.
Contact: Alberto Serpias at (480) 831-1009
Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Grupo de apoyo para niños especiales (G.A.N.E.)
Somos un grupo de padres y profesionales que nos renuimos El ultimo Lunes de cada mes. Ven y conoce mas sobre los servicios y agencias que hay en tu comunidad.
Location: 7102 W. Thomas Road, Suite 105, Phoenix, AZ 85323.
Contact: Gabriela Orozco at (623) 478-7277
Other Arizona Support Groups
Autism Spectrum Support, Information & Strategies for Transition (ASSIST)
For Parents, teens and young adults.
Meets: 3rd Monday of each month from 7-9pm
Location: Campus of EdOptions, 2150 East Southern, Tempe 85282. Just west of the 101 on the north side of Southern Contact: Cinder at sandylioness@gmail.com or Debbie at azparentsupport@gmail.com or post it on our Google Group at AZassist@googlegroups.com Website: http://azassist.wetpaint.com/
Council for Jews with Special Needs
Provides a range of services and support.
Location: 12701 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 205 Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Contact: (480)629-5343
Email: info@cjsn.org
Webpage: www.cjsn.org
Fragile X Society of Arizona
Provides information on Fragile X.
Location: 3418 W. Lucia Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85085
Phone: (623) 587-7580
African American Autism Support Services of Arizona
Founded to address the unique needs within the African American community around cultural competency in addressing the initial diagnosis, emotional needs, and the systemic navigation of services for families in this population.
Contact: Call (602) 559-1485
Email: african-americanautismofaz@cox.net
Website: www.africanamericanautismofaz.org
SARRC’s Grandparents Group
Informational group focused on educating grandparents of children with autism. Discussion-based group meets monthly to learn from experts on autism and volunteer.
Contact information: Addie Mocca, volunteer coordinator, at (602) 218-8203 or Kathy Bosco at (602) 340-8717
Support Groups Outside of Metro Phoenix
Yuma Autism Support Group
Meets: first Wednesday of every month from 6-8pm
Location: YRMC at 399 West 32nd Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (between Mervyn’s and Spragues)
Contact: Pilar Sanchez at pss.12@hotmail.com Webpage: www.autismyuma.cfsites.org
Northern Arizona Chapter – Autism Society of America
This is a Northern Arizona group dedicated to increasing public awareness and providing support to family members and individuals with autism spectrum disorders within the Northern Arizona region serving Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai Counties. Monthly support and informational meetings are held in Flagstaff, AZ on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00-8:00pm.
Email: nazasainformation@nazasa.org
Webpage: www.nazasa.org
Tucson Support Groups
Adult Asperger’s Support Group
A support group for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and their families.
Meets: 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Adult Asperger’s Family Member Support Group
Meets: Third Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Location: Sanctuary building of the Trinity Presbyterian Church at 400 E. University Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. The southeast corner of University and 4th Avenue. The Sanctuary is on the east side of the building and the door to the sanctuary is labeled “Sanctuary”.
Webpage: www.aspergers-tucson.org
Tucson Chapter – Autism Society of America
This group serves people with autism of all ages, and holds monthly meetings.
Phone: (520) 770-1541
Webpage: www.Tucsonautism.org
