ASO Region 7
Coronavirus Update: Due to on-going restrictions, most in-person groups have been suspended or have moved to virtual meetings. Some groups are continuing to meet on-line and we’ve noted that where applicable. Since changes happen, please contact each group directly for up-to-date information.
Serving Lane County
Chapter Representatives:
Amber Perry (541) 633-8293 (Eugene/Springfield)
Mary-Minn Sirag (541) 689-2228 (Eugene/Springfield)
If you have a question, comment, or concern that you’d like to share with your Region 7 Reps, please GIVE US A CALL or use the form at the bottom of this page to send us an email.
ASO-Sponsored Support Groups – Virtual Meetings:
These groups are currently meeting on-line:
Social Skills Discussion Group (based in Eugene). Free! For autistic adults of any age. Meetings are on the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Co-sponsored with KindTree/Autism Rocks. For more information, please text or call Mary-Minn at 541-799-4438, or email her at LINK.
Virtual Support Group Meeting for Parents: Meets 4th Saturday each month, from 10-11:30am. Free! Our on-line group for parents of children (birth-adult) on the autism spectrum living in Oregon meets on the 4th Saturday of each month from 10am – 11:30am. Facilitated by Barbara Avila, MS, of Synergy Autism Center. Cozy up with a morning beverage and your computer for the FREE on-line group for parents of autistic children living in Oregon. 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): Free! All families are welcome. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month during the school year from 6:00-7:00 pm. To register and get the Zoom link, please go to LINK.
Game Club (based in Forest Grove). Free! 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. 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. Evento Gratuito. 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). Free! 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. 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) Free! 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 – 2:30 pm. The goal is to meet new people and make friends in a welcoming, supportive environment. To register and receive a Zoom link, please CLICK HERE
Special Needs Families Connect (based in Pendleton) – Free! This group meets by Zoom on the 4th Monday of each month from 5:30-7:00 pm. 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). Free! 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). Free! This is a peer-led group for young adults, ages 18-30, who have graduated from high school. We are 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. For details, click to send an email to ASO, or call 503-636-1676.
Other Support Groups & Activities:
Coffee Connection – Support Group for parents. Enjoy coffee, snacks and good company! Every Tuesday morning, 9:30-11:00. Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) office, 72 A Centennial Loop, #150, Eugene. Call or text to RSVP for childcare: (541) 510-2704.
Cottage Grove Support Group: 1st Monday of the month from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at the Healing Matrix, (E. Main Street & S. 7th) in Cottage Grove. Facilitated by Linney Frank and Loren Goodman. (Sponsored by Kind Tree – Autism Rocks!)
Eugene A.V.O.I.C.E Advocacy Group: 3rd Friday of the month from 4:30 to 6 pm at LILA Peer Support Club, 990 Oak Street (NW corner of 10th and Oak, next to Crumbs Together, beneath the Overpark). Facilitated by David Olson. (541) 636-9179. (Sponsored by Kind Tree – Autism Rocks!)
Parenting Series– With Mary Ann Winter-Messiers, PhD. Providing guidance in the challenges of raising a child on the Autism Spectrum. Limited to 8 participants, registration is required, Free, and free child care. If you would like to be put on the waiting list call the office at 541-345-0805.
Mothers with Daughters on the Spectrum Support Group (Eugene)– We offer a support group for mothers with daughters on the autism spectrum. Contact Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805 to preregister for this group. Meets at Bridgeway House, 555 E. 15th Avenue, Eugene.
Game Club (Eugene)-meets on the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month, from 6:30-9:00 pm, at Bridgeway House, 555 E. 15th Avenue, Eugene. For children ages 12 and older $3.00 per person, pizza and soda provided.
The Arc of Lane County (Springfield)- Offers in-home respite services for caregivers of children or adults experiencing a disability. For more information about In-Home Respite, please contact Sunshine Bodey at (541)914-3502 or emailsunshine.bodey@arclane.org . See also- http://www.arclane.org/services/home-respite/
Second Friday Social in Eugene: hosted by kindTree. For adults and transition-aged youth from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Reality Kitchen, 645 River Road, Eugene 97404. Hosted by Logan Johnson and Mary-Minn Sirag. For more information call: 541-689-2228
Specialized Advocacy (Eugene)- Specialized Advocacy provides the opportunity to build independent living skills, social skills, and appropriate support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We offer a variety of fun group activities in the community: bowling group, cooking group, craft group, women’s group. See our website Specialized Advocacy or call (541)684-3961.
Wednesday Support Group (Eugene)- Offered to anyone identifying as having a disability seeking support. Meets every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 pm at LILA (Lane Independent Living Alliance) at the True Norths Conference Room: 20 East 13th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401. Call (541) 607-7020 for info or http://www.lilaoregon.org/programs.html
The Child Center Collaborative Problem Solving Groups (Springfield)- Classes at Level 1 cover the basics of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), an exciting, research based approach to parenting. Level 2 meets focuses on applying CPS to every day family situations. Classes are free of charge to families. Children participate in their own problem-solving class. Childcare is available if needed. To sign up for classes or get more information, please contact the intake Office at the Child Center at 541-726-1465. 3995 Marcola Rd, Springfield, OR 97477
Oregon Family Support Network “OFSN” (Lane County)- Offers a variety of support groups, advocacy training, and family fun events at no cost or low cost to families. Contact Reggie Sison-Valenti (541) 342-2876 or marias@ofsn.net . See also OFSN website.
Lane Kids- has parenting information, activities to do with your kids and connect to resources across Lane County. www.lanekids.org