Support Groups & Parent Carer Forums

BANDs (Bath Adult autism Neurodiversity groups) are peer advocacy and support groups which meet one afternoon and evening a month in central Bath. These groups are for adults on the autism or neurodiversity spectrums.

Adults whose partner has a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (this includes Asperger syndrome). This is a regional group open to people in areas covered by BASS, i.e. Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

The SEND Partnership Service (SPS) provides free confidential and impartial information, advice and support about matters relating to special educational need or disability, including health and social care. SPS is a Statutory Service provided in-house at Bath & North East Somerset Council and operates at “arms-length” from the Local Authority.

Do you have a child who is has autism or you suspect is somewhere on the autism spectrum? Do you find it hard getting out to meet people? Come to our support group and meet other parents who are going through the same issues as you.

Family Link is a type of caring which enables the needs of a disabled child or young person to be met by someone other than their main carer. This may be for day care or for a longer period including overnight stays, but is usually agreed in advance, rather than in an emergency.

Its mission is to help children aged from six months to 18 years with conditions affecting their social, communication and learning abilities to achieve their potential for a happier and more fulfilled life.

Preschool for children with additional needs from birth to 5 years

Providing Information, Advice and Support for Children & Young People with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) and Parents/Carers of Children with SEND.

We are a support group based in Bridgwater for parents & carers of family members with special needs and/or a disability.

Providing the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) for Parents/Carers of Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) and Children & Young People with SEND.

Butterflies-Haven support families affected by autism spectrum disorders by providing two social groups - The Young Voice Social Group (for ages 3-11) and The Step-Up Youth Group (for ages 12-16). We are a caring, supportive organisation providing social events for Parents/Carers, Children and Youths who experience Autism Spectrum related challenges.

A monthly group offering friendship, support and advice for families who have a child with an additional need or disability.

Contact provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children no matter what their condition or disability.

Our friendly and dedicated team can provide information, advice, support and training around Education, health and Social Care for young people and parents and carers of children with special education needs and/or disabilities (age 0-25).

Our groups holds social meetings and outings for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome, their friends and carers in Cheltenham and Cirencester.

We provide information, advice and support to children and young people, aged 0-25, who have or may have special educational needs and disabilities, and their parents.This is impartial, confidential and free.

We provide support and information for adults with Asperger's Syndrome and their carers, families, friends and supporters in the Dorset area

Special Educational Needs and/or Disability, Information, Advice and Support Service for parents/carers and children/young people aged 0-25 living in Dorset with SEND.

EarlyBird is for parents whose child has received a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is of pre-school age (not yet of statutory school age).

FAST is a parent run support group for families with children with an ASD. We mainly cater for families with 0 -18 yr olds but would be happy for parents of older children to come along to a meeting.

Supporting children and young people with disabilities and their families in the Forest of Dean.

Do you have a child who is on the Autistic Spectrum or think might be? There is a supportive group that runs on the second Tuesday of the month from 10-12. It's located at the Spring Centre in Quedgeley.

SENDIASS Gloucestershire provides information, advice and support on matters relating to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The service is offered to parents and carers of children and young people aged between 0 and 25 years old.

Incredible Kids aims to provide play and support services to families with a child with a disability or additional need to reduce inequality and social isolation.

Plymouth Information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS) provides information, advice and support relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for parents, carers, children and young people within the Plymouth Local Authority area.

Working with disabled children, young people and their families.

Kingswood hub provides access to a range of health, children’s, young people and family services under one roof.​​

We provide children who have additional needs with the opportunity to play alongside children following the normal developmental path, in a friendly and safe environment. Parents and carers can gain support, information, advice and a few minutes to themselves and at the same time their children can gain new experiences through education and stimulation.

A supportive group for parent carers of children and young people with Autism.

The purpose of the group is to support parents/carers of adults with an autism spectrum condition. Meetings are held at a central location in Bristol.

We have informal support meetings (term times only) and try to invite guest speakers to discuss topics that may affect our families. We have books and resources to look at, as well as details of local groups, clubs and events.

NAS East Devon ASC Parents and Supporters Group (formerly known as East Devon ASC Parents and Supporters Group) is a parent group which provides a monthly meeting for mutual support and bi-monthly speakers. Email contact weekdays is preferable.

The Gloucestershire Branch of the National Autistic Society provides help, support and information to families, carers, partners, individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anyone in the county of Gloucestershire with an interest in autism.

This is a parent support group meeting in Frome once every term at 7.30 to offer information and advice to parents/carers of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

NAS North Somerset Group offers support to parents of children or adults who have an autism spectrum condition (ASC). This is in the form of support group meetings held once a month in Portishead. Please email for dates and further information.

The NAS North Wiltshire Branch offers support and information for parents of children with an autism spectrum Disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC).

A Peer support group for adults with Asperger Syndrome or High-functioning autism. We have regular free meetings providing a safe space to socialise and share our experiences of living in a neuro-typical world. We organise group activities like garden visits and ten-pin bowling, and have speakers sometimes on useful topics.

Support group for the local autism community

The group works to promote awareness of ASD throughout the community. The group, supporting parents, aims to work with all concerned towards the development of a brighter future in Somerset for those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly Asperger syndrome.

The NAS South Gloucestershire Branch offers support to parents and carers of children who have an autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome or Pathological Demand Avoidance.

The branch provides social events such as fun days, skittles and barbeques and offers information, support and signposting services, as well as having speakers at their meetings. They currently provide a social group for young adults with Asperger syndrome but would like to expand this to have more social groups for a younger age group and another for those lower on the spectrum.

NAS Tavistock and District Asperger Support Group (TAD AS Group for short) is a local group for adults with/or awaiting a possible diagnosis of Asperger syndrome or High Functioning Autism.

The branch exists to do what it can to help people with autism and their families. It does this by having open meetings every month with guest speakers where people have the opportunity to meet and support each other.

This branch offers support and information for parent/carers of children on the autistic spectrum. The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month 7-9pm at The Horse and Groom, Westbury.

We are a parent/carer led support group. In March 1992 a group of parents and professionals, concerned with children on the autistic spectrum, form the North Devon Forum for Autism and Related Behaviours. The scope soon widened to include adults. In 2015 the name of the forum was updated to reflect the whole spectrum of conditions and also ADHD (incorporating ADD).

Providing the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) for Parents/Carers of Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) and Children & Young People with SEND.

A support group for parents/carers of children (or adults) with autism. We have regular free meetings providing a safe space to share our experiences of caring for someone with autism. We also provide signposting to services where possible.

Plymouth information, Advice and Support for SEND (PIAS) provides information,advice and support relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for parents, carers, children and young people within the Plymouth Local Authority area.

Poole Special Educational Needs and Disability information, Advice and Support Service (formerly known as PoPPs Poole Parent Partnership Service)

Rainbow Resource forms part of Bath and North East Somerset’s Local Offer, providing online resources, information on support groups/services, an events calendar and news section to support families with a child/young person aged 0-25 years with SEND.

Aiming to improve the lives of families affected by Autism & Asperger's in the Shepton Mallet area

Social Opportunities (SOCOPS) provides support for children from 8 years of age with a High Functioning Autistic Spectrum Condition and their families.

Somerset SENDIAS is a free, impartial and confidential service which provides information, advice and support about special educational needs and disability (SEND) for parent carers, children and young people (up to the age of 25).

Supportive Parents provides the Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice & Support (SENDIAS) Service in Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire. We are an independent organisation offering free, confidential and impartial advice to parents, carers, children or young people.

We are a small service offering confidential impartial support and advice around all aspects of Special Educational Needs and Disability. We help parents and carers to make informed choices based on knowledge of their rights and responsibilities.

Taunton Autism Support Group is a support group for parents and carers of children and young people with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome in the Taunton area.

Special Educational Needs Torbay SENDIASSand/or Disabilities, Information, Advice and Support Service for parents/carers and children/young people in relation to children/young people with SEND aged 0 – 25 living or attending education within Torbay.

A supportive group for parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities

Wiltshire Independent Support and Advice (WISA) Service offers free and impartial information, support and advice to parents, children and young people in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).