Pasco County

Rock of Refuge Support Group
Group covers all special needs/disabilities, including autism, ADHD, mental retardation and physical disabilities.
Time: 1st Monday (monthly), 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: Victorious Life Church, Chapel, Bldg. 300,
6224 Old Pasco Rd., Wesley
Sheri Nelson, Group Facilitator
Church phone number: 813-973-2230

Peer-Support Group
To provide a forum for mutual acceptance, understanding and self-discovery. To give people who share a similar relationship with mental illness an opportunity to regularly share and support each other, enabling them to successfully live with their individual circumstances.
• increase knowledge in areas of “Adult Daily Living” management
• create a greater comfort level in dealing with the emotional aspects of
• mental illness
• make healthy life style changes
• enlarged support networks
• increase awareness of community resources
Meets every first and third Wednesday of the month at Community Hospital of New Port Richey, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in the conference room.

Pinellas County

Autism Society of America Gulf Coast Chapter #134
Time: 2nd Wednesday (monthly), 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Abilities in Clearwater, 2735 Whitney Rd., Clearwater
Contact: Filomena MacDonald, 727-789-0082

Hernando County

Hernando Autism Parenting & Personal Experience Network (HAPPEN)
Time: 3rd Wednesday (monthly), 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location : Pediatric Therapy Works
Contact: Leslie Bolen at 352-683-0209 for directions

Hillsborough County

The Special Parents Support Group will be held at Independent Living, Inc. in North Tampa every second and fourth Wednesday evening of the month at 6:30 pm. Child care will be provided free of charge at this location. The first group will be held on January 24th, 2007.
The Special Parents Support Group will also be held at Wholistic Pediatrics every first and third Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm for those that are interested.
The Special Parents Support Group is a therapeutic support group for parents and primary caregivers of children with special needs. The children can be any age and with any special needs or disability.
Please feel free to check out the webpage at: http://www.specialparentsupport.com or contact Lydia Abrams, LCSW at 813-299-0086 for more information. Please notify Lydia of your interest before attending your first group.

Asperger's Syndrome moderated support group for adults.
Stephen Kreitzer M.D. has arranged for Jason Tompkins LCSW to moderate a support group for adults above the age of 18 to meet at the Memorial Hospital of Tampa, 2919 Swann Ave., two times per month on Thursday evenings.
Dr. Kreitzer has been subsidizing 50% of the costs and the group participants pay the other 50%. The cost to attend is currently $25 per session. Family members do not attend but may greet Mr. Tompkins after the session. Dr. Kreitzer asks that if you are going to attend that you must RSVP. Please respond to krei513@aol.com if you are interested and to get more details.

Lauren's Link (Sibling Support Group)
A fun, supportive group for school-age kids who have a sibling with special needs.
Location: St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road (at Bloomingdale Ave.) in Brandon. Family Life Center Bldg., Room 304.
Meets: 2nd Friday of the month from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
Contact: Kris at 813-671-1038 (Evenings) or contact MaryJo by email at wsmith68&tampabay.rr.com

STAND (Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities)
Hillsborough Monthly Chapter Meetings (All disabilities)
Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Location: Children’s Board of Hillsborough County
1002 E. Palm Avenue, Tampa
Email: advocate@standonline.info

Concerned Parents of Autistic Children
Meets the last Sunday of the month from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Nature's Health Food Store in Valrico
(Corner of Lithia Pinecrest Road and Bloomingdale
at the Publix Shopping Plaza)
Contact: Dr. Moursi 813-643-9393

PASS (Parents of Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Support)
Meets the first Friday of the month (except during the summer) at the
Campo Family YMCA,3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico, FL
The meeting schedule can be found at http://www.ideasaboutautism.com/pass.
Contact Liisa at liisaneumann@tampabay.rr.com for more information or to be put on their contact list.