Ongoing Community Support Groups

Ongoing Community Support Groups for Youth & Parents

All these support groups are open to newcomers, and they are free, except where noted. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are typically given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is to be respected.

Support Groups for Youth

ASNV Autism Social Group for high school students and young adults meets on the 1st Saturday monthly noon-1 pm. Contact Nicci Dowd at autismsoclub@gmail.com. Join meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682#success Meeting ID: 946 600 1682

ASNV Teen Time for youth, age 13-19 with ASD, meets one Saturday monthly, in-person 1-2 pm at 10467 White Granite Dr. Oakton. Contact: director@asnv.org

Escape Room Book Club (with hybrid-media) for neurodiverse teens, ages 12-18, to connect with their peers, meets monthly on the 4th Thu. At 4:30 pm at Brambleton Library, Brambleton. Contact: austin.ferraro@loudoun.gov for current books 571-258-3998

NAMI Connection Support Group for Young Adults (18-36) meets on the 3rd Tuesday monthly, 7:30-9:00 pm. Register: email youngadults.nami.nova@gmail.com

OCD Support Group for Young Adults (ages 18-30), meets monthly on the 1st Monday, 9:30-11:00 pm. Register: bit.ly/4a3PzDc

People First for Young Adults is a social and self-advocacy group for youth with disabilities ages 14-26. It meets monthly (except August) on the 2nd Tuesday, 6:30-7:45 pm. Contact: Diane.Monnig@thearcofnova.org

Youth Empowerment Transition Council, for youth with disabilities ages 14-22, meets on the 2nd Monday of the month to advise PEATC and build advocacy and leadership skills. Apply: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?

Youth MOVE Support Group meets monthly on the 1st Fridays and the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays for Youth (age 18+) to take initiative on conversations and activities about mental health. Register at https://namivirginia.org/calendar/ or contact Miranda at mschnoor@namivirginia.org

Support Groups for Parents

AAC Parent Group meets occasionally on Saturdays. Contact: Amanda amandam@skillbuildersllc.com or 703-941-7757 ext. 316

Alpha Moms This support group for adoptive parents meets monthly in McLean. Contact: robin4brady@gmail.com

Autism Society of NoVA Parents and Caregivers meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:00-11:30 am via Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9466001682#success Meeting ID: 946 600 1682; One tap mobile (301) 715-8592 Contact: director@asnv.org

CHADD: Children & Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

West Fairfax/Burke CHADD Parent Support Group 1st & 3rd Thur. of each month at 8:00 pm Contact: Cathy, ocgreulich@aol.com

CSB Family Support Group at Gatlan Center meets monthly via Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays to support family members of an age 18+ loved one with mental illness. Contact: Ramon.Palazzolo@fairfaxcounty.gov or 571-328-4179.

DADS of Special Needs Kids of Any Age meets monthly in the evening during the school year on the 3rd Tue. or Thur. in Falls Church, to eat and talk at a favored restaurant. Contact: George gbuzby@aol.com or call 703- 545-6089

Dr. Dan’s Support Group for Parents Raising Challenging Children meets via Zoom on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwKFIpb7CnnDy-DhQQXAmqq8kqrMLtT4ajtFquXHVYTUphTg/viewform

Fairfax Juvenile Court Parent Support for problems including runaway behavior, truancy, alcohol/drug abuse, and serious behavioral problems at home, at school, or in the community. Sign up for a phone consultation at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44abab29abf85-juvenile

Fairfax Kinship Support Group meets virtually on the 1st Thursday monthly (except July) at 6:30-8:00 pm. An in-person group meets on the 3rd Thursday monthly (except July) at Fairfax County Community Centers at 6:15-8:00 pm. Dinner and childcare are provided. Register: https://bit.ly/FFFkinSG

Formed Families Together meets monthly as peer support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster caregivers and parents. A Virtual support group meets the 1st Sunday evening monthly. An In-Person support group meets the 3rd Wednesday evening monthly. Register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/9085dfe9-2b13-4683-b28e-492f084a9dc6

Foster the Family Support Group for foster and adoptive moms meets the 3rd Monday of each month, 6:30-8:00 pm in Falls Church. Childcare is provided. Register: https://www.fosterthefamilydc.org/supportgroups

Hablemos educación especial es un grupo de discusión de padres de habla hispana y de un estudiante autista. Se reúnen virtualmente el primer miércoles de cada mes de 7:00-7:45 pm Registrarse: https://xminds.org/event-4522635

Kinship Café meets online 6:30-8:00 pm the 3rd Thursday of the month for those raising the children of relatives and friends. To attend, call 703-324-7720 or email BuildingStrongerFamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov .

Let's Talk Transitions meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday at 7 pm to discuss their autistic teen's post-high school plans.

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness builds better lives for affected families.

Family Support Group for Parents of Youth meets online monthly on the 3rd Monday at 7 pm. Register: bit.ly/PSGArlington Contact: Michelle Best mczero@yahoo.com to arrange to chat when needed.

NOVA Adopt Friends Parent Peer Support Group for adoptive parents meets on the 3rd Thursdays monthly 6:00-7:30 pm. Register: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/for-northern-virginia-families-nova-adopt-friends-virtual-parent-peer-support-group-8/

OCD Family Support Group meets the 1st Mon. of each month, 7:30 pm. Contact: ela.mike@verizon.net or call 202-215-5859

Parents of Autistic Children (POAC-NOVA) Support Group meets in-person during the school year on the 1st Saturday monthly at 10:00-11:30 am, RSVP to supportgroup@poac-nova.org

People of the Global Majority is a discussion group for BIPOC parents of children with autism. They meet virtually on the 1st Monday monthly at 7:00-7:45 pm. Register: https://xminds.org/event-4534279

Sowing Special Seeds is a group of families (with offspring who have special needs) who maintain gardens at South Run Rec Center. Meeting times vary. Contact: Brenda Zepf,

703-475-6277 or zepfmb@gmail.com

Support Group for LGBTQ+ Families meets on the 3rd Thursday monthly at 7:00-8:30 pm. Facilitated by professionals. Register: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/an-online-support-group-for-lgbtq-families/

Transition Parent Support Group is for families whose youth will be aging out (or have aged out) of school. Parents meet on a Saturday every other month. Contact: Rob.Hudson@thearcofnova.org