Raising a child with special needs in Manhattan? Find support by connecting with other NYC families, parents, and caregivers in your community who have kids with special needs. Read on to find a group in Manhattan.
Adoption Healing
444 E. 76th St., Upper East Side
212-988-0110
joesoll@adoptionhealing.com
This nonprofit compiles resources on how to answer tough questions from your adopted child and pools together resources that can help parents locate their biological children, and vice versa.
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association
303 Fifth Ave., Flatiron District
888-918-9198
pats@ahany.org
The Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association offers several no-fee support meetings throughout New York City (as well as Nassau County), including Manhattan, for parents, family members, and caregivers that focus on educating, advocating, and creating activities for families to help them cope with their child’s diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome and related conditions.
Autism Society Of America - Manhattan
370 E. 76th St., #C1208, Upper East Side
212-628-0669
info@autism-society.org
With autism chapters nationwide, the Autism Society has several local chapters with support groups that are all led by volunteer parents and care providers of children with autism, providing families with
information, support, and encouragement. (See other region listings for locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens.)
Center For Hearing & Communication
50 Broadway, 6th Floor, Bowling Green
917-305-7700
917-305-7999 TTY
info@chchearing.org
The Center for Hearing and Communication, a nonprofit organization, offers weekly therapeutic support groups for parents of children with hearing loss, from coping with the news to connecting with parents who are dealing with a similar situation.
The Child Mind Institute
445 Park Ave., (entrance on 56th Street) Midtown East
212-308-3118
The Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming mental health care for children and empowering their families with help, hope, and answers, holds a wide variety of workshops for parents and educators to gain invaluable skills and learn how to help children take control of their condition and thrive. Find workshop schedules on the website.
An ADHD Series covers a range of issues affecting children with ADHD and their support networks, from navigating friendships and family gatherings to the ins and outs of treatment and medication. Upcoming topics include: You Make Me So Mad on April 11; and Bipolar Disorder on May 2.
An OCD Workshop for Parents series covers a range of issues affecting children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and their support networks, from navigating friendships and family gatherings to the ins and outs of treatment and medication.
The organization also holds seminars on Selective Mutism. Upcoming dates: April 25 and May 2.
Children and Adults with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders New York City
P.O. Box 133
212-721-0007
parent2parent@chadd.net
new-york-city@chadd.net
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a national
nonprofit organization with local chapters, including in New York City. Monthly support group meetings focus on providing resources and support as well as socializing and information-sharing among those dealing with family and friends with ADHD.
Churchill School and Center
301 E. 29th St., Kips Bay
212-722-0610
rsiebert@churchillschool.com
mlugosch@churchillschool.com
The Parent Educational Network at Churchill School hosts a series of programs and workshops during the school year that focus on helping parents to better support their children’s needs.
Downtown Spectrum Parents, Parents of Inidividuals with Autism Support Group
363 Greenwich St., Tribeca
212-219-1195
lynn_decker@mac.com
This online Yahoo! Group is for parents and guardians of a child on the autism spectrum. The forum provides a safe space for parents to share their insights, stories, and resources.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York
257 Park Ave. S., 3rd Floor, Gramercy Park
212-677-8550
info@efmny.org
The foundation hosts bimonthly New York weekend trips as part of a socialization program that fosters a welcoming community of young adults with epilepsy.
FEGS, Health And Human Services System; Family, Advocacy, Information and Referral
315 Hudson St., 4th Floor, Soho
212-366-8400
212-524-1789 TTY
info@fegs.org
FAIR: 6900 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset
516-496-7550
Along with offering support groups for parents and peers with developmental disabilities, FEGS serves as a comprehensive resource for famillies and caregivers who want to attend workshops and seminars regarding behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues.
Finding A Cure For Epilepsy and Seizures
223 E. 34th St., Murray Hill
646-558-0900
FACESinfo@nyumc.org
FACES, part of the NYU Langone Medical Center, provides a Parents Network that connects parents with parent mentors who have experienced similar obstacles raising a child with a chronic illness such as epilepsy. Valuable mentorship teaches parents about the hospitalization process, educational services, and offers social support.
GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Awareness Center
106 W. 117th St., Harlem
646-801-7529
nyc@gigisplayhouse.org
Support group for new parents of children with Down syndrome. Meet other parents, discuss experiences, make connections, receive support, and learn about resources helpful to the Down syndrome community.
The Global And Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership
666 Broadway, Suite 825, Noho
888-474-7277
info@grasp.org
Both online and regional support groups (adult and teen) are available through GRASP. There are separate support groups for families and clinicians, siblings, significant others, women, and Spanish-speakers.
Harlem Independent Living Center
289 St. Nicholas Ave., Suite 21, Lower Level, Harlem
212-222-7122
212-222-7198 TTY
harlemilc@aol.com
In addition to offering peer counseling and support groups for people living with disabilities, the Harlem Independent Living Center, a nonprofit organization, works in the community to help these people live independently.
The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side
646-505-5708
The JCC has support groups that cater to parents, grandparents, fathers, parents of twins, and parents of teens. Support groups are for parents of children who have been diagnosed with developmental challenges of all kinds. Facilitators and parents’ experiences provide those in the support group with resources, the chance to network, emotional support in a sense of community, and also shed light on therapy options.
Jewish Guild For the Blind
15 W. 65th St., Upper East Side
212-769-6200
calahand@jgb.org
The Jewish Guild for the Blind’s Parent Tele-Support Groups are open, informational phone forums for parents to discuss their concerns about raising children who are visually impaired.
Manhattan Mothers & Others
160 E. 65th St., Apartment 25D
Upper East Side; 212-570-6860
manhattanmothers@aol.com
Advised Advocacy Network for children of all ages with any developmental disabilities. Family members who share similar experiences in raising a child with developmental disabilities provide support for one another in this safe community.
National Alliance on Mental Illness – New York City
Program Director: Mary Lee Gupta
505 Eighth Ave., Suite 1103, Midtown
212-684-3365 x204
jburke@naminyc.org
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City offers a broad range of support groups that are categorized by age group, type of relationship, or illness. All groups aim to provide support, education, and advocacy.
New York City Children’s Services
150 William St., 18th Floor, Financial District
877-543-7692
Circle of Support, part of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and available in all five boroughs, is a neighborhood support group with varying topics such as adoption, ADHD, and depression and anxiety in children.
New York Council on Adoptable Children
589 Eighth Ave., 15th Floor, Midtown
212-475-0222
info@coac.org
Parents of adopted children benefit from peer support as part of the Parent Support Group, which helps parents cope with the unique developmental and psychological issues that they and their adopted children may face. An Adolescent Support Group is also provided for teens to communicate and interact with their peers in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute (NYPSI)
"Dialogues on..." events, Low-Cost Treatment Center
247 East 82nd St.
212-879-6900
admdir@nypsi.org
Parents and caregivers of children with special needs are invited to attend the "Dialogues on..." series of discussions where the NYC community has access to child development experts on relevant and pressing topics. The events are free and are an integral part of NYPSI’s commitment to community outreach. Updates posted to EVENTS & LECTURES on our website. NYPSI also manages the Low-Cost Treatment Center. Our primary goal is to ensure that affordable and suitable mental health therapy is available for all who may benefit and at fees based on one's ability to pay. Refer to FIND THERAPY on our website for more details.
The Pacella Parent Child Center
247 East 82nd Street
212-665-6309
alice@theparentchildcenter.org
Helping You Grow as a Parent - This is the goal of The Pacella Parent Child Center which aims to promote optimal emotional growth and development for families and children from pregnancy through age twelve. We explore how to best connect with and understand your child and develop confidence in your role as a parent. In our Mother Support Discussion Groups and in our Stay-at-Home Dads groups, The Pacella Parent Child Center enables parents to find their own unique parenting styles and understand that there is no right or wrong way to parent. Familiy Consultations are also available to parents and their child, newborn through age twelve. As part of New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute (NYPSI), we also provide a variety of services for professionals, including educational, training, and research opportunities.
YAI Network
460 W. 34th St., 11th Floor, Chelsea
888-YAI-AUTISM (924-2884)
212-273-6100
Family Support resources include strategies for managing everyday stress and changes in funding for people with developmental disabilities. Geared toward all caregivers of people with autisum spectrum disorder.
Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs in Brooklyn
Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs in the Bronx
Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs in Queens
Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs in Staten Island
