Support Groups & Parent Carer Forums

ASA Plus is a Support and Social Group for Adults (18 years plus) who are on the Autistic Spectrum, and their parents or carers.

The group offers informal advice and support to parents and an opportunity for parents in similar situations to get together and share experiences and ideas. It also offers opportunities to find about other services in the area.

We are a Support Group for Parents / Carers of children and young adults with Asperger’s, Autism and ALL associated conditions, whether diagnosed or not.

Charity dedicated to supporting adults with Asperger's Syndrome, and their families, in Worcestershire and beyond.

ASSERT are a small team of Case Coordinators who are funded until 2015 to provide support to families who have a child with autism with SEN-related issues, including statements and EHC plans, self-directed support, personal budgets, transition to adulthood.

This services provides mentoring to young adults who are leaving secondary school and unsure of what to do next.

We provide advice, information and support to parents, carers and family members who have a child or family member with an autistic spectrum condition or who they feel may be on the autistic spectrum. The work will be delivered in a variety of settings and times to suit the needs and demands of the clients’ family situation. To raise awareness of autism and the issues that can face the person with a diagnosis and their families with representatives of the youth and community, social care and business sectors

An online support network for parents of autistic children in Warwickshire

This is a group for families who have children on the autism spectrum alongside other conditions such as ADHD and Epilepsy (hence the name Autism Plus). The group meets every 3rd Monday of the month (except during school holidays) at 8pm at the Parish Centre of Our Lady of the Assumption (Mary Vale) in Great Barr.

A group especially for dads of children with autism. Learn more about autism, meet other dads in the same situation and discuss ideas and strategies to help manage behaviour.

Group meets once a month at the Quaker Meeting House, Selly Oak, 10 am-12 noon. Speakers are invited to meetings to reflect on topics of interest.

Autonomy is a social enterprise which runs social events for young people and adults with high functioning ASDs, whether diagnosed or not. It also offers support and advice to its members along with free a bi-monthly newsletter and a range of outings each year.

This programme is designed for parents and carers of children and young people aged 7-18 years with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). It is delivered over six 2.5-3 hour sessions which cover a number of topics: Autism and diagnosis; Communication; Sensory Issues; Understanding behaviour; Managing behaviour; and Choice of topic decided by parents/carers.

Barnardo's Harris House project provides services for families who have disabled children in need of intensive support. It aims to address specific and complex issues that significantly impact upon parenting capacity.

Birmingham Carers Centre provides support, information and advice to people who care for friends and family with disabilities. Support Workers based at the Centre provide support to Carers on all issues related to their caring role.

The Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC) provides a range of services to disabled people and their support networks living in Birmingham including general information and advice, counselling, support groups and activities and employment preparation.

Birmingham SEND Information, Birmingham IASSAdvice & Support Service provides advice and information on all aspects of special educational needs, for parents, children, and young people.

Our services help develop the organisations who provide services, and the people who give support.

The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Support Group for Redditch and Bromsgrove meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month, from 8pm-10pm, for parent meetings. We have a variety of speakers attend the meetings and have meetings where parents have opportunities to chat and exchange ideas.

The Carer Support Team supports informal carers that care for someone living in Wolverhampton with an illness or disability. As part of a Carers Assessment the team provides Information, Advice and Guidance as well as benefits advice and emotional support. The service is aimed at adult carers looking after another adults with an illness or disability or a parent/carer of a child with a disability.

CARES provides information, help and support to unpaid family carers and the people they look after within Sandwell in the West Midlands.

Autism West Midlands' Parent Support Groups run across the West Midlands region and are accessible to all parents, whether or not their child has a diagnosis of autism. The groups provide a listening ear and sounding board for emotions and experiences.

Support group for parents & carers of children with autism and related disabilities.

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

Coventry Action for Autism Group offers: A chance to meet other parents and look at issues and problems linked to Autism; Information about help and support for Autistic children and their families; Social activities for Autistic children and their families.

The Autism Support Service is a team of specialist teachers and teaching assistants who provide advice and support for children and young people diagnosed as having an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Coventry Carers Centre provides information, advice and support to family carers. It provides its services free from both the Centre, based in accessible premises in the City Arcade, and through outreach activity in the community.

The Coventry SEND Information, Advice and Support Service provides information and support to children, Young people and parents whose children have special educational needs (SEN). We provide accurate, impartial information on the full range of options available to children, young people and parents.

Helping the Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and disadvantaged/low income families access all available services by offering a personalised, culturally aware service.

Disability Solutions West Midlands is a voluntary organisation, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is controlled and run by local disabled people with services available across the whole of the West Midlands.

Dudley Autistic Support Group is a registered charity supporting families with children on the autistic spectrum with advice, information, day trips, pamper nights, relaxing holistic therapy sessions, Christmas parties and much more.

Dudley Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support Service provides a range of information from education law to related law on disability, health and social care to help parents, children and young people in making informed choices and this enables them to play an active role in relation to educational decisions.

The Empathy 'Friendship Group' is a group for and about families, where everyone is encouraged to socialise and play. As parents we understand how difficult that is for some of our special children, we therefore work hard to meet their needs first and pride ourselves on being ASD friendly.

We deliver a range of services including the provision of integrated complementary therapy, advocacy, employment advice, debt counselling and community based initiatives on HIV, substance misuse and crime.

I run this group, funded by Rocklands Special Primary School where I work as a Teaching Assistant. I am also the parent of a young person with autism. It caters for any parent or carer of a child with any disability or special need.

Gloucestershire Young Carers (GYC) offer support to young carers aged 5-7 years in an advocacy role and a range of support including weekly groups and residential services to carers aged 8-25 years.

The Hansel and Gretel Support Group is a registered charity providing mutual support and friendship to disabled and special needs children and their families in the Wyre Forest area of Worcestershire (Kidderminster, Bewdley, Stourport and surrounding communities).

Hansel and Gretel Support Group are a registered charity providing mutual support and friendship to disabled and special needs children and their families in the Wyre Forest area of Worcestershire (Kidderminster, Bewdley, Stourport etc).

Heart of Autism provides a parent support group for parents and carers of children and young people with autism and related conditions. We offer a listening ear, advice, signposting service and invite prominent speakers to give talks on autism related topics.

Parent Carer Support Groups/coffee mornings meet across the county on a regular basis (during term time). The Parent Carer Forum meets on a monthly basis so together we can make a difference and improve local services for our children. We run 'Parent Connect' which is a local scheme putting parent carers in touch with each other.

SENDIAS is a confidential, impartial and free statutory service that provides information and support for parent/carers of children and children/young people as individuals who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or a disability.

We are 'In It Together' a new support group based in Tamworth. We support parents/carers of children with additional needs in Tamworth and the surrounding areas. A diagnosis is not important to attend a meeting as we recognise the need for support before, during and after diagnosis.

Working with disabled children, young people and their families.

: Lifeworks Staffordshire is a registered charity supporting people on the autistic spectrum. Based in Newcastle under Lyme, the charity was founded in 2006 by Louise Zandian now Chief Executive Officer.

We are a small support group supportting parents and children with disabilities such has Autism, ADHD, PDA etc. We: •organise monthly meet ups for the parents to find a support network;

The Lisieux Trust aims to support people with disabilities enabling them to develop from the security of a stable home in order to achieve their full potential in society. It runs residential and supported living schemes for adults with learning disabilities and autism and a Disability Information and Resource Centre for people of all disabilities and ages including physical, learning, mental health and sensory.

A local voice for disabled people & carers. We have drop ins located in Newport , Telford town Centre and Wellington , are hubs are run specifically for Adults on the Autistic Spectrum and Mental Health . Age range is 16+

Support group for families living with diagnosed or suspected autism. Based in Stockingford, Nuneaton.

Marches Family Network is a charity that works with families who have a child with any disability throughout Herefordshire. In addition, they offer playdays in Ludlow. This includes support to families of children with autism spectrum disorders.

The Herefordshire branch of The National Autistic Society offers information, social and emotional support to children, young people and families affected by Autism. We offer Saturday Stay and Play club and Parent/carer support groups.

The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism. We provide a wide range of quality, personalised support services for people on the autism spectrum and their families and carers in Northamptonshire.

National Autistic Society Shropshire is the Shropshire Group of the National Autistic Society and is entirely run by volunteers. It offers quality support and guidance to a small group of adults with mild to moderate Autism or Aspergers Syndrome.

The Stafford branch of The National Autistic Society offers information, social and emotional support to children, young people and families affected by Autism. We offer Saturday Stay and Play club, Saturday Youth club, Lego groups, Holiday activities and Parent support groups.

Social Groups are for people over the age of 18 at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum, such as those with Asperger syndrome (AS).

he branch was launched in October 2013 and covers the immediate areas around Worcestershire as well as Herefordshire. We have a number of trained volunteers who help out at our events and activities

The National Autistic Society EarlyBird Programme is a three-month programme for parents/carers of a pre-school (not yet of statutory school age) child with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

The charity exists to provide better opportunities for adolescents from age 16 (who have left school) and adults with Able Autism /Asperger Syndrome.

We provide information and advice for the carers of and people with Panic, Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and the effects of Tranquiliser withdrawal. We can provide treatment and support over the telephone so that all sufferers can be helped.

The North Staffordshire Asperger/Autism Association (NSAAA) aims to provide support, information and advice to individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions and their families and carers.

Charity supporting family care-givers, former carers, the bereaved and the socially isolated.

PSNA present opportunities for parents to access information about services available in addition to supporting and encouraging parents to utilise the skills they have developed through their own understanding and experiences of being a parent of a child with autism.

Parents on the Move is a support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder. The group meets during term time, usually on the third Friday of the month from 10-12 at Birmingham Community Children's Centre. Crèche facilities are provided. For further information, please contact the Birmingham Community Children's Centre.

Asperger’s support for families with children and young people with Asperger’s Syndrome (High Functioning Autism/ASD)

Patient Information Service (formerly Information Service on Disability/ISD) The service provides advice, information, advocacy and signposting to other relevant services for patients with any disability. It can also provide advice to carers and professionals such as health or social workers.

Our ethos is based around ‘Parent Participation’ and giving you the ability to share with us what you most want for the benefit of our children. Our overall aim is to improve the lives of families who have a disabled child or additional need, in the Telford & Wrekin area.

Resources for Autism provide practical services for children and adults with an autistic spectrum condition and for those who love and care for them. We have a team of trained, enthusiastic and kind staff and volunteers offering a wide range of support. We operate in London and the West Midlands. For more information on our services please visit our website for more details.

We are a small charity supporting familes in Coventry and Warwickshire who are effected by autism. We run several groups for families and organise trips and activities.

Rugby Autism Network is a local organisation for parents, carers and friends of those on the spectrum. Our website and Facebook page features the latest autism news, local information and promotes local autism friendly activities.

Advice Sessions are one-to one contact offering advice and guidance to parents and other family members around autism. We offer a listening ear and provide information on strategies that may help.

Shropshire Autism Hub is designed for people on the autism spectrum including Asperger`s Syndrome. Carers are welcome too.

Shropshire Autistic Supporters offers a range of services including: support, information, signposting, a website, mums chat and telephone helpline, Whatever is needed Shropshire Autistic Supporters aim to be of help to anyone affected by autism spectrum disorders, including carers/support workers and professionals.

Shropshire Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) formerly known as Parent Partnership Service (PPS), provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support around Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including health and social care.

Spectrum is run by PACC as an ASD specific Oasis group, although a formal diagnosis is not essential to attend.These meetings bring parent carers together to share their experiences. Each meeting is supported by a trained PACC befriender and offer an opportunity for parent carers to provide advice, support and information to each other.

SASSI is an Autism Support Group for parents/guardians of children or young people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All are welcome whether there has been a diagnosis or there is one pending.

The Family Information Service provides information and advice to families on childcare, activities and support services and provides support for families of children with additional needs and/or disabilities to access services.

The information advice and support service on issues related to SEN and disability for parents and carers, children, and young people.

Local parent support group - Aldridge

STACS is a voluntary group of parents, carers and partners of people with Aspergers Syndrome / High Functioning Autism.

Charity to support families effected by Autism in Staffordshire

The Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society is an official organisation with charitable aims for adults aged 18 and over with Asperger syndrome or autism, run by people with Asperger syndrome or autism. It provides outings, social events, autism conferences, meetings, newsletters and free membership.

The Staffordshire Autism Partnership Board is responsible for overseeing the commissioning, planning and provision of autistic spectrum conditions services in the County. The term 'autism' as an umbrella term for all autistic spectrum conditions, including Asperger syndrome.

We are a group of parents and carers who all have children of various ages with autistic spectrum disorder, some of our children also have other conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.

SEND Family Partnership (formerly Parent Partnership) is for parents and carers of children and young people aged 0 to 25, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We offer Information, Advice and Support about Education, Health and Social Care issues.

Formerly known as "Stoke on Trent City Parent Partnership Service" we provide free, accurate, impartial, confidential, information, advice and support relating to special educational needs (SEN), disability and related health and social care issues.

A friendly, long-established group. Holds weekly Wednesday morning meetings and a monthly Monday evening meeting with speakers. The Group offers sympathetic and moral support, as well as information from its knowledgeable and well-informed parents. The Group has one fund-raising event a year.

Parent led support group, providing advice, understanding and care for parents and carers of children/adults on the Autistic Spectrum; including ADHD/ADD/Learning Difficulties/Epilepsy.

Telford and Wrekin Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) formerly known as Parent Partnership Service (PPS), provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support around Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including health and social care. Support is offered from initial concerns about a possible SEN and disability, through to complex information and advice.

Specific support offered to parents/carers includes: Free training workshops; An informal autism support group every month providing the opportunity for parents to share similar experiences; and Attendance at Annual Reviews.

Vibes is a children’s and young people’s service developed to meet the emotional and mental health needs of young people between the ages of 7-19 years.

Befriending Service for adults with autism in Walsall. Befrienders are volunteers who give their time to support people with autism. They will spend time doing activities that the befriendee will enjoy. This could be as simple as drinking coffee in a coffee shop, shopping, going swimming, attending cultural events or taking part in hobbies or activities relating to a special interest.

Walsall Carers Centre, offers help and guidance to all carers. If you need help, advice or information about: Caring at home; Respite care; Caring for yourself; Having a break; Money matters and benefits; Legal matters; Adaptions and aids in the home; Housing and residential care; Holidays; Coping with bereavement; Or if you just need someone to talk to, then the Centre can help.

We provide information, advice and support on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability. We can help you if you are a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEN or a disability or if you are a young person up to the age of 25 with SEN or a disability. Our service is free, impartial and confidential.

This is a new local support group in Malvern, started in September 2013 by Kimberley Philpotts, a nurse practitioner and mother. The group is for local parents, friends, grandparents with children who have autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down syndrome, special needs, learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, GDD or any other neuro-developmental needs.

The group is based in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, and has a growing membership of parents/carers of children and adults with a wide variety of special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebal palsy, and learning delay, in the South Staffs, Dudley and Wolverhampton area.

We are a statutory and confidential service working with parents, carers, children and young people. We offer free and impartial information, advice and support on matters relating to a child or young person’s special educational needs or disability from birth to 25 years.

Provider of impartial advice to families and young people with SEND

The Worcestershire Association of Carers helps carers by providing information, support, and social activities for carers. The Information Helpline provides information on benefits. on local and national organisations and services and on Worcestershire carer support groups.