SUPPORT & SOCIAL GROUPS – Virtual Meetings:

ASO Sponsored: These groups are currently meeting on-line! All ASO Support and Social Groups are FREE.

NEW! Friendship Group for Autistic Kids (suggested ages/developmental range: 7 – 13): Meets Every Monday, from 6:00pm – 6:45pm. A place to meet, get to know each other, be silly, explore common interests, and make friends. This group is meeting online, but we hope to have in-person meetings as circumstances permit. To register and get a Zoom link, please go to LINK.

Virtual Support Group Meeting for Parents: Meets 4th Saturday each month, from 10:00 – 11:30am.  Our on-line group for parents of children (birth-adult) on the autism spectrum living in Oregon. This group is facilitated by Barbara Avila, MS, of Synergy Autism Center. Cozy up with a morning beverage and your computer! The group will look at a different topic each month including self-care, safety considerations, understanding your child’s processing, social engagement and challenging your child productively. To register and get a Zoom link, please go to LINK.

Autism Family Support Group (based in Durham/Tigard): All families are welcome. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month during the school year from 6:00 – 7:00pm This group is facilitated by Lori Ball, ASO’s Programs Coordinator and parent of an autistic child. To register and get the Zoom link, please go to LINK. 

Forest Grove Game Club (based in Forest Grove). Meets virtually during the school year from Sept – May each year, on the 1st Friday of the month, from 5:00 – 7:00pm. Socially distanced outdoor activities also, when conditions allow. Co-sponsored with Pacific University. For more information, click here for the Facebook page or click here to send an email to ForestGroveGameClub@gmail.com.

Grupo de Apoyo en Español- Reunión Virtual  Mensual, 1er Martes de cada mes. 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Propósitos del grupo: Información sobre Autismo y recursos disponibles; crear una red de apoyo para familias latinas; y oportunidad de interactuar con otros padres. Para registrarse o para tener más información envié un correo electrónico a MariaA@AutismSocietyOregon.org. Enlace para unirse via zoom  https://tinyurl.com/GrupoenEspanol

“Happy Hour” for Adults on the autism spectrum (based in Medford). This time is to chat, support each other and forge new friendships. Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, from 7:30 – 8:30pm. This group is facilitated by Rhonda Smerdon, an ASO Chapter Rep in Southern Oregon and parent of an autistic young adult. For more details and a Zoom link to participate, click to send an email to the ASO office or call 503-636-1676.

Parent + Teen Online Social Group (online only) This group is for autistic teens (ages 13-19) who need a supporter (parent or caregiver) to participate. The group meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1:00 – 2:30pm. This group is is designed to support autistic teens with communication, perspective taking, and social skills in a fun and engaging Zoom environment. The facilitator is Danitza Galvan, who has a master’s degree in Early Intervention/Special Education and who is the parent of a teen on the autism spectrum. To register and receive a Zoom link, please CLICK HERE  

Social Skills Discussion Group (based in Eugene). For autistic adults of any age. Meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00pm. This group is facilitated by Mary-Minn Sirag, an ASO Chapter Rep in Lane county and an autistic adult (or autist). Co-sponsored by KindTree/Autism Rocks. For more information, please text or call Mary-Minn at 541-799-4438, or email her at LINK.

Special Needs Families Connect (based in Pendleton) –  This group meets by Zoom on the 4th Monday of each month from 5:30 – 7:00pm. SNFC was created and is facilitated by Winnie Burnett, an ASO Chapter Rep and the parent of an autistic young adult. For more information on virtual meetings, click to send an email to Winnie.

Teen and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum Friendship Group (based in Portland). Meets on the 1st & 3th Sundays of each month, from 3:00 – 4:30pm. For female-identifying people on the autism spectrum, ages 18 and up, looking for an accepting environment in which to hangout with similar. Come chat, relax, or just chill. Participate in great discussions and/or activities (or not) of your choosing! For more information, please click here to send an email to Kim or call 503-312-3103.

Young Adult Social Group (based in Portland). This is a peer-led group for young adults, ages 18-30, who have graduated from high school. Sorry but this group is not open to people younger than 18. There are 2 group consultants who are there to provide a level of social safety by mediating conflict and supporting participants to make connections. NOT a skill building class. Meets 2nd Saturday and 3rd Monday of each month, from 6:30 – 7:30pm. For details, click to send an email to ASO, or call 503-636-1676. 

For more support and social group listings, please see the Support Groups by Region on the ASO website at LINK. Click on each region for listings in that region. We list the groups that ASO sponsors first, then all of the groups that we’re aware of in that region.