Support Groups
Sometimes the best resource for parents and caregivers of children with special needs are other parents and caregivers who are facing the same issues and challenges.
Disability-specific support groups can be very helpful to patients, their families and medical professionals. In addition to general medical background, groups can provide the patient and family's perspective on various issues, enable networking, offer educational literature and medical references, as well as offer relevant news on research and clinical trials.
Unfortunately, many patients have multiple conditions or lack a specific diagnosis and thus may not find any one support group that can be helpful. In this case, a physician or social worker may be helpful in providing direction to an appropriate organization(s).
The Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center recommends resources where parents and caregivers can turn to find support.
Support Groups
Cincinnati Children's sponsors many support groups for children and families with special needs.
- Many of the organizations listed on the Disability-Specific Web Resources page offer their own support groups.
- Family Resource Center at Cincinnati Children's maintains a listing of local support groups for medical conditions by diagnosis, bereavement support groups, and others.
- Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) has email discussion groups to support families.
- Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati provides support groups, education and resources.
- Cancer Family Care Grief & Bereavement Institute and Pastoral Care Department at Cincinnati Children's have a listing of bereavement support groups in the Greater Cincinnati area.
- Caregiver Assistance Network provides information, support groups and resources for caregivers of the ill and disabled.
- CaringBridge lets families of children with special needs create a free, personalized web site to keep others informed and updated during challenging times.
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) is a national nonprofit organization provides resources and encouragement to parents, educators and professionals dealing with children and / or adults with ADHD.
- Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati offers information, resources and support to individuals with Down Syndrome and their families, including a Parent Network Program.
- Families with ASD of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky provides information and support for families who have children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Fernside Center for Grieving Children provides peer group support for grieving children, teens and their parents or guardians.
- Genetic and Rare Conditions Site lists support group information by both condition and categories of conditions. There is also information about how to start a genetic support group and information for siblings and family members.
- H.E.L.P. (Helping Everyone Live Positively) is a support group for young adults, ages 18 through 30, learning to cope with mental health issues. Meetings are held at St. Monica / St. George Church in Cincinnati. Email for information.
- iVillage.com can connect you to a wide range of online parenting support groups.
- Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky offers information and support for mental health and substance abuse.
- Mental Health Association of Southwest Ohio features the Support Group Clearinghouse, which maintains a listing of known area support groups for people who share similar mental, emotional or physical health care problems or life situations.
- Mental Help Net has information and resources to promote mental health education and advocacy. They have current news, book and article reviews as well as links to self-help groups and online discussion forums.
- The Self-Help Group Sourcebook Online provides detailed information on how to start online support groups, message boards, chat rooms and email discussion groups. They also have resources to help you find existing online support and discussion groups.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a non-profit organization for individuals with severe mental illness. Local support group information is one of the many services offered. Parent Group for Children with Apraxia of Speech meets monthly at Cincinnati Children's Outpatient Mason. Email for more information. Parents of Children with OCD meets monthly at St. Monica's Community Center. Call 513-271-7723 or 513-891-2879 for more information. PsychCentral.com provides information on chat rooms and online support groups in all areas of mental health. Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome Support Group for Families provides information and organizes events for families in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Email for information or call 513-708-5611. Sibshops, sponsored by the Aaron W. Perlman Center, in partnership with the Family Resource Center and the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's, is an interactive workshop for the brothers and sisters of children with special health and developmental needs. Sibshops provides siblings, ages 8-12, with opportunities for peer information and discussion. For more information, contact the Aaron W. Perlman Center at 513-636-4601. Spina Bifida Association of Cincinnati offers information, resources and support to individuals with Spina Bifida and their families. Turner Syndrome Society has an Ohio Chapter. You can email Amy Mancini or call her at 513-742-5567 for local support group information. United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cincinnati provides information and support. Williams Syndrome Association has a regional chapter for information and support.Caregiver Resources offers additional information and resources for families of children with special health care needs.
If your questions are not fully answered by our Special Needs Resource Directory and its links, please contact us via email.
Rev. 11/07
