Special needs and autism parent support groups: national, online, and by state

National and online

• Parent to Parent USA

  Matches parents with a trained parent who has been there.

  Helps: Parents of children with disabilities. Cost: Free.

• Autism Society

  Local affiliates run groups and events.

  Helps: Autistic people and their families. Cost: Free.

• CHADD

  Local chapters for ADHD support.

  Helps: Families affected by ADHD. Cost: Free, with paid membership.

• The Arc: find a chapter

  Local chapters for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  Helps: Families and self advocates. Cost: Free.

• NAMI

  Free family support groups for mental health conditions.

  Helps: Families of children with mental health needs. Cost: Free.

• Family Voices

  Family-led support for children with special health care needs.

  Helps: Families of children with health care needs. Cost: Free.

• Sibling Support Project

  Groups and resources for brothers and sisters.

  Helps: Siblings of kids with disabilities. Cost: Free.

• National Down Syndrome Society

  Information and local affiliate connections.

  Helps: Families of people with Down syndrome. Cost: Free.

• Hands & Voices

  Parent-led support for families of deaf and hard of hearing children.

  Helps: Families of deaf and hard of hearing children. Cost: Free.

• Decoding Dyslexia

  Parent-led state groups.

  Helps: Parents of children with dyslexia. Cost: Free.

• Navigate Life Texas

  Texas information and support for families of children with disabilities.

  Helps: Texas families. Cost: Free.

By state

Your state's parent center runs or knows local groups. Find free help in every state.