ASO Region 9
Coronavirus Update: Due to on-going restrictions, most in-person groups have been suspended or have moved to virtual meetings. Since changes happen, please contact each group directly for up-to-date information.
ASO-Sponsored Support Groups – Virtual Meetings:
These groups are currently meeting on-line:
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
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.
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
For the website for the Autism Society of Washington (ASW), please click here
For the website of the ASW-SW Wash affiliate (Vancouver), please click here
On Line Communities:
Portland Autism Parents (PAP) – Open to all caregivers of people on the autism spectrum in the Portland, OR area. This is a related site to Portland Autism Moms (PAM) group that includes Dads in the Portland/Vancouver metro areas. Click here for more information.
Vancouver Autism Moms (VAM) – Mom’s Autism Group in Vancouver, WA. Very informal, just moms getting together to laugh, cry, vent….whatever. Mom’s need support and why not make some friends while doing it. Meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Location: Stephens place: 501 SE Ellsworth Rd. Does not offer child care. Click here for more information.
Amazing Moms, A Faith-Based Life Group. Meets every Thursday from 10:00am – 12:00 noon at 13308 NE 34th Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682. This is a Life Group for Moms with children experiencing special needs. They also have a virtual library. In the future they may have occasional Skype meetings as not all moms can physically attend. For information, call Roberta at 360-253-5209 or Click Here to visit their website.
Autism Empowerment SW WA Adults on the Spectrum Support Group: Meets the 2nd Friday of most months, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Location: Stephens Place: 501 SE Ellsworth Rd. Free, pizza and beverages provided. Please bring a snack to share. To confirm monthly meeting, please visit our website or call (360) 852-8369 or email karen@autismempowerment.org
Autism Social Club/ Teen Autism Game Club:
A time for chldren to play games and hang out. It is also a place where parents can relax, share information and support each other. Meets the 3rd Saturday of most months, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Cost is $10 per family: pizza, games, and fun included! Location: Northwest Gospel Church: 305 NE 192nd Ave. Parents can stay for a parents and facilitators support group from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Please bring a snack to share. For more information, please contact John Krejcha at (360)-601-4678 or through his email. Click here to visit the website.
Regal Cinema – Sensory Movies: Location: Regal Cinema Vancouver Plaza 10. Sensory movies the last Sunday of each month. Doors open at 10:00 am and the movies start at 10:30 am.
Club Upside Open Gym. Parent to Parent of SW WA and the Northwest Down Syndrome Association host Club Upside on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 2-4 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 5607 NE Gher Rd., Vancouver. This is a place where parents can share and children can play. All ages and abilities welcome. Contact Brenda at 360-953-1597 or Abby at 971-998-8744.
IEP Mentors and Advocates offer IEP drop-in time from 1 – 3 PM on Tuesdays at the ARC of SW WA, 6511 NE 18th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661. Contact Darla or Jamie at 360-823-2247.
“Just for You” Girl’s Night Out (No guys or kids) – Open to all moms, self-advocates and advocates supporting our moms with kids with disabilities. We’ll be having fun, recharging our “Mom and Advocates” batteries and making social connections with other moms and advocates in the community. All disabilities welcome and a diagnosis is not necessary. We meet on the third Saturday of each month starting at 7:30 pm, at alternating venues throughout Vancouver/Clark County. For more information, contact Susie Ringstaff or to be added to the notification email.
“Building a Better Autism Village” Parent Support Group – Come join us for empathy, support, resources and companionship as we discuss how our child’s behavior affects our lives and community. Experienced and new parents to autism welcome, just come for information and affirmation. Diagnosis is not necessary, nor is autism a requirement. We meet on the second to last Wednesday of each month at Panera Bakery: 915 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver WA. Drop ins welcome. From 9:30 am to 11 am. For more information, contact Susie Ringstaff to be added to the notification email.
SEPTSA – Special Education PTsA of SW Washington Visit SEPTSA on Facebook and join the email list for updates SEPTSAinfo@gmail.com.
If you know of other support groups or activities that you would like ASO to list, please click here to contact us.