ABCs of ASDs - The Autism Society of Colorado's monthly autism support group. Whether you or a family member were just diagnosed or you are becoming an autism expert, all are welcome! There is usually a guest speaker for the first hour and the second hour is an open question-and-answer forum with ASC staff or with other participants. Free childcare by ASD-experienced staff available with RSVP.

The group meets every 2nd Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Autism Society of Colorado's offices: 1stBank Building, 550 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Suite 100 (lower level), Lakewood, CO 80226. Call 720-214-0794 or 1-877-COLO-ASD (1-877-265-6273) for information or to RSVP.

Visit the ASC Community Calendar for more information.

WOW (Watch Our Words) Colorado — is a group of individuals who use Facilitated Communication (or for those who want to learn more about it). Some members use Facilitated Communication (FC) to access communication devices; others use letter boards. FC partners, family members, and support staff regularly participate. Members have varying levels of experience, from new learners to college students. The monthly meetings are a great time for sharing ideas, dreams, triumphs, and often frustrations about communication. The group meets the third Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the 6th Floor Conference Room; Developmental Disabilities Council, 3333 Quebec Denver CO 80207. Call 720-941-0176 for information or visit the website at www.wowcolorado.org. WOW Colorado is sponsored by a grant from the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.

Solo Solutions — A support group for single parents of a child/ren with a disability. Meetings are held at the ARC of Jefferson County (8725 W. 1fourth St.; Suite 100 – Lakewood). FREE CHILDCARE with R.S.V.P. Contact Carrie Sonneborn at 720-963 1236 or by email at carriesonneborn@yahoo.com.

The Downing Group — meets Tuesday nights from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. near 18th Avenue and Downing Street for a Social Skills Group. The Downing Group is for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their “neuro-typical” friends who want to have fun and to get to meet people in a safe environment. Please contact Kathy Grant at 303-861-2422 for information.

Denver Northeast – Friday Coffee - Park Hill neighborhood in Denver: (bordered loosely by Colfax to the south, I-70 to the north, Colorado Blvd to the west and Quebec to the east) at the Northeast Women’s Center, 4821 E. 38th Ave. We get together to meet, chat and drink (coffee that is) to talk about the “joys and challenges of parenting a child with special needs.” Call Karen Roberts at 303-329-8950 for information.

Denver Southeast - The MASK support group meets on the second Monday each month from 7p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Aspen Center for Autism 2695 S. Jersey St.- Denver. (Yale Ave. east of I-25) Call 303-759-1192 for directions. For current information visit http://members.aol.com/maskas99/mask.htm.

Denver – Grupo Vida (Spanish Language Support Group) Regular meetings are held the third Thursday every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) Highlands Lutheran Church on 39th and Irving. November’s event is a Thanksgiving “pot luck.” Visit our website@ www.elgrupovida.org or call 303-904-6073 for information.

Preschoolers with autism/PDD — this group offers support and discussion for parents of preschool, kindergarten, and first graders, with autism or PDD. It meets on the first Tuesday monthly from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Polton Elementary School located at 2985 S. Oakland St. in Aurora 80014. Note: November’s meeting will be the second Tuesday due to elections. New parents are welcome to attend regardless of where you live. Call Melissa Waggoner at 720-554-4001.

Biomedical Support Group - we are a group of parents interested in discussing biomedical interventions for children with autism. We meet the third Wednesday each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Aspen Center - 2695 S. Jersey Street (I-25 and Yale), Denver. If you have any questions contact Claudia Barzen at claudiabarzen@yahoo.com or Erin Griffin at griffkoom@comcast.net.

Twin Connection meets 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday each month at St. Phillip Lutheran Church Ministry Center, 7531 South Kendall, for more information call Paula Connely 3203-980-1584 or Tricia Martins at 720-981-7686.

People First — Arc in Jefferson County meets 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the third Thursday each month at Atlanta Bread Company 7740 W. Alameda Ave. Unit E, Lakewood. Jeanne: 303.232.1338 x 204.

NAMI-MHC Caregivers Family Education and Support Group meets 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday each month at the Boulder County Mental Health, 1333 Iris Ave, Rm. 6 Boulder. Contact: Sharon Bowyer at 303.443.4591 or Arlene at 303-931-3430.

OCD Support Group Families, Friends, & “Ourselves” meets 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday each month at Boulder County Mental Health, 1333 Iris Ave. Boulder. Judy Goldstein: 303.938.1360 or Arlene: 303-931-3430.

Adolescents-Young Adults Toilet Training Strategies meets 5 p.m. on the first, second, third Tuesday each month at Developmental Pathways, 11111 E. Mississippi Ave. Aurora. Call: 303-858-2359.

Whiffle Ball for Children with Disabilities, EXPAND Program meets 4 p.m. every Monday at the East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Dr. Sherri: 303-441-4933.

Epilepsy Support Group for Adults-Family Members, Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado meets 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday each month at the Epilepsy Foundation of CO, 234 Columbine St, Suite 333 - Denver. Amy Koslowski: 303-377-9774 x26.

Epilepsy Support Group for Parents, meets 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday each month at the Epilepsy Foundation of CO, 234 Columbine St, Suite 333 Denver — 303-377-9774 x26.

Support Group for Parents of Young Children with Autism-PDD meets 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday each month at the Holly Ridge Elementary School, 3301 S. Monaco Denver.

Health Promotion Classes for People with Developmental Disabilities meets 5 p.m. every Wednesday at JFK Partners UC Health Sciences Center Campus Denver 303 -724-0652.

Colorado DSI Parent Connections meets 6: 30 p.m. on the fourth Monday each month at the Koebel Library, 5955 S. Holly St. Centennial. KID Foundation: 303-794-1182.

OCD Family Support Group meets 1 p.m. on the third Sunday each month at the Louisville Recreation Center, 900 W. Via Appia. Donna Spearman: 720-890-7066.

Depression-Bipolar Recovery Group meets 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday each month at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 1750 Colorado Blvd. Denver Mental Health Association of CO 303.377.3040

ADHD Connection of Colorado Meeting meets 6:45 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2100 W. Meadows Parkway - Castle Rock. Kathy Barr 303-302-3306.

Support Group for Parents of Young Children with Autism-Pervasive Developmental Disorder meets 7 p.m. every Wednesday at Polton Elementary School (Preschool mobile) Aurora. 720-747-2948.

Feeding Support Group meets 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the REI in Park Meadows, 9637 E. County Line Rd. Englewood. Cindy Hurt: 303-840-5949

P.E.A.C.E. with Kids Parents & Caregivers - Education & Support meets 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Sill-Terhar Motors Conf. Room, 150 Alter St. Broomfield.

Families Sped 101 meets 9:30 a.m. on the first, second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Student Achievement Resource Center Centennial. 303-770-2914.

Southwest Metro Autism Support Group meets 6 p.m. on the second Thursday each month at the Marrs House, 3324 S. Newcombe St. (Kipling and Hampden) Lakewood. Laura Marrs: 303-986-8634.

Social Skills & Friendship Class meets Every Thursday at the JFK Center for Developmental Disabilities, 4399 E. 8th Ave. Denver. Contact Dr. Hal Lewis:
303-315-8607.

Tourette’s Syndrome Family Support Group meets as needed at the Spirit of Peace Church, 1500 Hover Rd. Longmont. Contact: Snow Wardell: 303-774-9657.

NAMI Caregivers Support Group meets 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday each month at the Spirit of Peace Church, 1500 Hover Road Longmont. Kathleen or Steve Roon: 303-443-4591.

Starting a group? Send group meeting information to support_groups@autismcolorado.org

Greenwood Village – DSI Parent Connections of Colorado (Sensory Integration Dysfunction) DSI Parent Connections of Colorado meetings are held at the Koebel Library in Greenwood Village. The library sits on the southwest corner of the intersection of Holly Street and Orchard Avenue. Contact Cindy Hurt at C4Hurt@aol.com for information.

Empower Colorado Support Groups – EMPOWER Colorado is a nonprofit organization created by parents and families to provide Support, Education and Advocacy for parents and families of children with mental health issues (brain disorders). Please take a look at the main support group page for details on all our groups. http://www.empowercolorado.com/support_groups.htm www.empowercolorado.com/calendar.htm For information.call (toll-free) 866-213-4631 or email: info@empowercolorado.

The Autism Society of the Pikes Peak Region meets quarterly. Please call 719-473-5421 for information.

Colorado Springs — Autism Education Action Group meets the third Monday each month at 7 p.m. at the World Prayer Center. Call 719-266-8219 for information.

Colorado Springs – Koffee Klatch Join us for an informal time of support. The group meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the Pikes Perk North on Vickers and Academy in Colorado Springs from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Call Renee Walbert: 719-598-7827 for information.

Colorado Springs Asperger Support Group — for families of a child and individuals that are diagnosed with ADD, PDD-NOS meets 7 p.m. on the third Thursday each month at Rockrimmon Library and Information Center, 5550 N. Union Blvd; Colorado Springs. Contact Kim Hetherington at 719-265-6141 or kahether@netzero.net.

Family to Family Support Group meets 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday each month at 510 E. Willamette St. in Colorado Springs contact: Bob Longgrear: 712-232-9278

Family NEXUS Support Group – Parents of youth or adolescents with mental illness, substance abuse or both or involved with criminal justice system due to their illness. The group meets on the second and fourth Thursday each month at 6:15 p.m. at 510 E. Willamette St. in Colorado Springs Contact Mrs. Pat Hansen 719-393-2756.

Family Support Group metts 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday each month at 12 N. Meade in Colorado Springs. Contact Teddi Roberts at 719-471-4800 for information.

Family Support Council Meeting — meets 10 a.m. to noon on the first Wednesday each month at Developmental Opportunities, 601 Greenwood Ave. Canon City. Contact Nancy Harris at 719-275-1616x212 for information.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Alliance — meets 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday each month at the Fremont County Family Center, 1401 Oak Creek Grade Road; Canon City, Fremont County Family Center: 719-269-1523.

K.I.N.D. Family Support Group — meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday each month at the Fremont County Family Center, 1401 Oak Creek Grade Road; Canon City. Call the center at 719-269-1523 for information.

Toddler Playgroup — meets 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday at the Fremont County Family Center, 1401 Oak Creek Grade Road; Canon City. Call the center at 719-269-1523 for information.

Preschool Playgroup — meets 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Thursday at the Fremont County Family Center, 1401 Oak Creek Grade Road; Canon City. Call the center at 719-269-1523 for information.

School for the Deaf and Blind — meets monthly on the fourth floor of Brown Hall in Colorado Springs. Call Dana Berkowitz at 719-578-2156 or for TTY service at 719-578-2221.

Independent Living Skill Every Friday Independence Center in Colorado Springs — Call 719-471-8181 for information.

Sensory Processing Disorder Parents Support Group of Colorado Spring — meets 7 p.m. on the second Monday each month in the East Library Conference Room 2, 5550 N. Union Blvd.; Colorado Springs. Call Margo Wells at 719-522-1837 for information.

Epilepsy-Seizure Disorder Support Group — meets 5:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday each month at the Easter Seals of Southern Colorado, 225 S. Academy Blvd.; Colorado Springs. Call LeaAnn at 719-636-0009 for information.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Parents’ Support Group — meets 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday each month at the First Church of the Nazarene, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd.; Colorado Springs. Call Heather Tucker or Lyn Quinlan at 719-266-0555 for information.

Tourette Syndrome Family Support Group — meets 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday each month at the NAMI Office, 510 E. Willamette Ave.; Colorado Springs. Call Jennifer Pearce, Rachel Bolenbaugh or Shawne Beavers at 719-481-9716, 719-266-8477, or 719-685-0234 for information.

Relationship Building for Boys — meets 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Monday at the Mental Health Center, 179 Parkside Dr.; Colorado Spring. Call PPMHC Admissions at 719-572-6330

TESSA (Trust, Education, Safety, Support, Action) meets at 320 S. El Paso St. in Colorado Springs. Call Eva at 719-785-6801 for information.

Autism, PDD, & Asperger’s Support Group of Pueblo — Call Nancy at 719-547-9542 for information.

YMCA Buddies Program: Swim Lesson — meets 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Saturday at the YMCA, 700 N. Albany Ave. in Pueblo. Call the YMCA at 719-543-5151 for information.

Parents’ Garden — meets 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Thursday at the Community Connections for Families, 1101 Berkley Ave. in Pueblo. Call CCF at 719-583.2459 for information.

Parents of Children with Special Needs Support Group meets 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday each month at the Evangelical Free Church, 1325 third St. Eaton contact: Dianne Stille: 970-454-3023.

Colorado Autism-PDD Support Group meets 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday each month at the Greeley Recreation Center, 651 10th Ave. Greeley contact: Susan Locke: 970-356-4355.

Family Support and Sharing Group meets 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Harmony Presbyterian Church, 400 E. Boardwalk Dr. Fort Collin contact: Brenda Tuttle: 970-267-8705.

Open Meeting for People with Disabilities meets 11 a.m. on the first Saturday each month at the Smiling Moose Restaurant Greeley contact: Michelle Sauder: 970-330-5326 or Sue Zamora: 970-330-0626.

Online Support Groups

Sibling Online Group — It seems that in the process of raising a child with special needs…parents tend to forget about the siblings of these kids. The purpose of this group is to provide a place where teens can offer advice to each other and say things that they can’t say to anyone else. Contact Elyse Miller at: hesdrivingmecrazy@yahoogroups.com.

Colorado Springs Asperger Online Support Group
An online support group for individuals or families with children diagnosed with Asperger's, High-functioning Autism (HFA) and Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The group also meets 7 p.m. on the third Thursday each month at the ROCKRIMMON Library, 832 Village Center Drive. Contact Kim Hetherton 719-265-6141 or email kahether@netzero.net. Visit http://www.geocities.com/jrhsmum/CSAspergerSupportGroup or http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PEAK/ for information.