Contact

Stephanie Birkdale
Asperger/Autism Network 
stephanie.birkdale@aane.org 
617 383-3824 x32 

When

Second Thursday of each month,
beginning October 12, 2017
6:30-8:00 PM

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Where

Bridgewell 
10 Dearborn Road
Peabody, MA, 01930


 
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2nd Thursdays Support Group for
Parents of Adults
in Peabody, MA

This AANE parent of adult support group, hosted by Bridgewell, is designed for parents of adult children (who have completed high school and who are between the ages of 19 and 32). Through this support group, parents can build an ongoing connection with a small community of other parents. AANE parent of adult support groups also give parents an opportunity to voice their concerns and frustrations. It also lets them acknowledge hard-won and unexpected victories.

The group will be moderated by Gail Kastorf. Gail currently serves as the AANE Grant Writer and facilitates groups for adults with AS and their parents on the MA North Shore. During her 11 years at AANE, she has also assisted adults to understand how Asperger’s Syndrome may impact their work life and discussed strategies to increase success on the job. She has provided training on AS to educators, career counselors, vocational rehabilitation counselors and employers. She has a M.Ed. in Counseling from Northeastern University.

 

All meetings will be held at Bridgewell, 10 Dearborn Road, Peabody, MA.  We will meet monthly for 6 months on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

  • October 12
  • November 9
  • December 14
  • January 11
  • February 8
  • March 8

Common topics of discussion are:

  • Now that your child is an adult, how do you parent without power?

  • How do you keep the lines of communication open?

  • How can you help your child find and sustain employment or live independently?

  • How to get your adult child expand his or her social network?

  • What local providers, programs, and services have other parents used and what were the results?

  • How have other parents tapped into health, income, housing and other benefits?

Group members need to register in advance and membership is limited to 12 individuals. Members must be parents or other adult family members of an adult with Asperger’s or a related profile. Registration is $90 for the first participant and $45 for additional members of the same family.  These support groups are not subsidized by a grant and are self-funding.  Financial waivers or discounts are limited.

Contact Michele Cantara (michele.cantara@aane.org) for more information.