Teen Autism » Social Groups

Social Groups

Many ASD teens want to connect with others like themselves. Areas with large populations offer many resources for social groups through ASD schools and day camps. But what if you don’t live in or near a big city? Teen Autism is pleased to fill that gap by being the resource to start your own social group in your area. How does it work?

Just e-mail “tanya (at) teenautism (dot) com” and list your area, your name, and your preferred method of communication (phone or email). Teen Autism will post your information right here on this page, which will function as a bulletin board. Anyone in your area (who visits TeenAutism.com) can contact you directly to start a social group with you.

Please note that the groups are not just limited to ASD teens! We’re happy to post contact info for any age group, including parents and siblings wanting to contact others in their shoes. Connect with others who understand your life!

Additionally, I received an email from a reader named Patti who had such a fantastic idea that I had to share it here:

“I was reading the posts in your website and clearly most of our kids have little socialization opportunities. I was wondering if parents (local or in other parts of the country) would be interested in helping their kids use Skype so they can actually see and get to know each other over the internet and hopefully eventually meet. Why wait for local kids in our area to have our kids start making friends when there are so many kids across the country waiting to have pals.”

It’s definitely one of those why-didn’t-I-think-of-that? ideas! If you’re interested in connecting with Skype, please contact Patti at phoenix.newyork@hotmail.com, and thanks for helping our kids connect!

SOCIAL  GROUPS  BULLETIN  BOARD 

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *         

I have a 14 yo boy and an 11 yo boy who are both PDD.  As parents,
we’re finding it hard to know what’s teen behavior and what’s autism
and what’s in need of correction.  Knowing what to advise in peer
situations is hard enough with NT kids, so I’m often at a loss.  My
oldest tends to avoid social settings with peers his age especially
without me. 
Kori
contact by email: korikitts@charter.net
*        *       *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *       
My son is 18 years old. We live in Washington Twp, (warren cty) New
Jersey and are interested in attending a social group.
Michelle Torre
contact by email: mtorre1127@comcast.net
*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *       
If you live in the WNY area, our 15 year old son (PDD) is looking for other
teens who want to get together, enjoy Star Wars, Legos, Playstation,
Lasertron, golfing, movies or just shooting hoops and playing sports.
Feel free to contact us at katdale@roadrunner.com. –Kathy
*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *
Hello, my name is Jessica, and I’m 22 years old

I live in QLD, Australia

I’m very interested in getting in contact with people with ASD as I have it

Please contact me by email: silverwolf-22@hotmail.com

thnx

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *
I am a teacher at Glynn Academy High School in Brunswick, GA. Many of the students I work with have ASD. I see a strong need to address their social needs through interaction with other teens with ASD. Self concept and “fitting-in” are big issues shared by my students; therefore, I am interested in developing social groups of like minded teens to provide opportunities for these teens to interact and develop relationships. If there is anyone in this area that has information of pre-existing groups or connections to develop one, please let me know.

Thanks,

Sands Herrin
Behavior Consultant
Glynn Academy
267-4210 Ext. 3167

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

I LIVE IN WELLNGTON KANSAS
> I HAVE A 13 YEAR OLD BOY WITH PDD/ ASBERGERS. HE IS HIGH FUNCTIONING AND
> HAS A VERY HARD TIME MAKING FRIENDS.  IS THERE ANYONE AROUND THIS AREA THAT
> WOULD WANT TO START A GROUP???
> jeanette_rebold@yahoo.com
> thank you

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

Hi, we are new to the Springfield Mo area and my slightly ASD 14 year old
> son is having trouble making new friends. If there are any other young men
> out there who would be interested in just hanging or playing video games,
> please send us an email at cib11mike@yahoo.com. Thanks, Nicole

*        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

<pamral@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> I have a 15 year old son, who has PDD.  His name is Jonathan. I am
>> interested in getting him to socialize with other teens. He is
>> interested in video games and music. We live in the Dallas area, in the
>> suburbs of Cedar Hill. If you have a teen with similiar interests we
> would love to hear from you.

 *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Hello, We live in Raynham, MA (southern Massachusetts)  and our
almost 17 year old son with PDD would love to make some more
friends in the area.  He is interested in video games, hiking,
travel, camping, swimming and talking on the phone.  Please
contact us at rch728sm@comcast.net  if you want to get together
for some summer fun.  Thanks, Marianne and Robert
*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
 My 14 (almost 15) year old son was recently diagnosed with PDD NOS,
 high functioning autism.  We have been trying to find a social group
 locally with no luck.  We are in Franklin,MA best to reach me at
> kgarrigan@baystatept.com.  If you know of any local groups or people
 in the area who want to start a group, please contact me.
>
> Thank you
>
> Karen Garrigan
*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
I lead a parent support group for Asperger's/High Functioning
Autism in Brookfield, WI (near Milwaukee).  We allow our children
to attend and play video games (and other games) in a nearby room
while the parents have their group meeting.  Most of the kids are
in middle school and high school, with a few younger, but they all
get along and have fun.  Parents can e-mail me, or check out our
website at http://support4as.com for all my contact info and our
schedule.
Cathy M.
*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *





My name is Paula Parker and I am looking for other high school-aged 

high-functioning autistic kids for my 15 year old son. 

We live in Hillsboro Wisconsin.

My email is: tpnmb4147@gmail.com

*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *

My name is Dawn Berrios and I have a 10 yr old son with PDD-NOS.


I live in Savannah, Georgia and I am interested in creating a social


group for children 10-14 in my area. Basically I would love to meet


with parents who have kids similar to my son who will be entering


middle school in near future. Also would like to meet with children


and their parents that are already in middle school to hear about


their experiences and how they have overcome certain situations.



*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Posted March 2011
My name is Luciana, I have been working with children and adults


with special needs for four years. I am offering two social groups


for teenagers with special needs.  One social group will meet


weekly and is a lego social group and the other one will meet


bi-weekly and it will involve activities like movie day, bowling,


table games, etc. 










The Lego Club Social Groups meet at GAIN:


351 Minorca Ave.  Coral Gables Fl 33134


For more information call (305)461-8229






The Lego Club is a great opportunity for individuals 


to “hang out” and interact with their peers!




Groups of ages 7 to 19 meet on Wednesdays at 5:30pm




Luciana C Leo LAc DOM
351 Minorca Ave
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
Office Number: 305-461-8229
Cellphone: 786-306-4967
Fax: 305-461-8230
lucianaleolac@gmail.com





*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


posted 3/20/11





My 15 yr old freshman son would love to socialize with someone.


He wants friends so much, but still has many challenges in know-


ing how to do it.  And there are not many opportunities.  Anyone


interested?

Pat
Austin, TX
psumption@austin.rr.com




*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


4/22/11:













My son, Matthew, is 13 years old and is looking for opportunities


to make new friends.   We recently moved to Surprise, AZ and he is


currently attending school (7th grade) online so his opportunities


for making friends is limited.   Even if you do not live near our


area, he would like to hear from others that would like to be email


pals.


Jennifer


 contact by email:   jengu3@live.com


*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


4/25/11: My name is Joyce Albu and I currently have a teen Group


meeting in Boca Raton.  As a facilitator for over 25 years work-


ing with individuals with ASD, I can attest that these groups are


terrific!  Please feel free to contact my office manager at


561-368-8686 or email me directly at AUT2teach@aol.com.  


Come Join us!!!


*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *




I would love to help my son connect with older teens and young


adults in Southern Oregon.  He is 19 and we live in Glendale. 


He has Autism. Please email Nancy.Lillie@glendale.k12.or.us


*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


posted Aug. '11

I have a son Chris who is going to be 16 years old and has been recently diagnosed with 


Autism.  Chris has a few good friends but I am looking to widen his social experiences 


by perhaps being involved with other kids that have Autism in the area. I live in Ashland 


MA and would like to have the opportunity for Chris to connect with other kids like him 


and even for me to connect with other parents in the area that have a teen with Autism. 






It is best if you could contact via email at cnole@comcast.net as I am not always available 


by phone.


Thank you,


Carolyn Nole 


*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Les & Maryann Salsbury <maryales@hotmail.com> wrote:





My 2 sons are 17 and 18 and both have asd.  please


help us with getting some social network in place.


Names are Harley  and Zachary and we live in


lambertville, nj (posted Oct. '11)


*       *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Hi. We are the parents of a "just turned" 16 year


old son with high functioning autism/aspbergers.


We have become disheartened trying to find him a


REAL friend. (just 1) His siblings have friends


and get phone calls. Praise God for our church and


its youth programs that include him, but after its


over, still no contact by anyone. I'm sad when he


calls everyone he knows and they all have excuses


or won't even come to the phone. He is an extremely


honest, very (overly) polite, Christian teen that


all Adults love to have around and trust completely.


He has a good work ethic but needs to be a bit more


self starting. He loves Star Trek and thought


provoking movies and shows. He plays the piano very


well and finds comfort from that. His feelings he


wears on his sleeve when he gets lonely. He is a


handsome young man and doesn't pre judge anyone with


friendship potential because his options are limited.


He also seems to click with kids a bit younger than


him although a person a bit older could mentor him,


too. He would be a trusted, morally excellent friend.


His name is Aaron and we are hoping to find a social


group in Mid TN or just establish some email-pals


from anywhere to start. Some traveling to near-by


states or areas is a possibility. This is our first


stop on the road to being more pro-active. Please


contact me (Mark) or my wife (Tracy) if you are at


all interested or would just like a caring person


to talk with.  Thanks! quafamily@yahoo.com


(posted Oct. 2011)