UPDATED MARCH 2016: Raising a child with special needs in Suffolk County, Long Island? Find support by connecting with other families, parents, and caregivers in Suffolk County who have kids with special needs.
Ariella’s NY Friendship Circle
The Chai Center of Dix Hills
501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
631-351-8672
info@nyfriendshipcircle.com
The Friendship Circle extends a helping hand to families who have children with autism and other special needs. The Circle introduces teenage volunteers to the children through shared experiences, including Zumba, Teen Scene, Puppie Fun, Bowling Buddies, and more.
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association
Locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties
888-918-9198
info@ahany.org
Offers daytime and evening meetings to discuss various topics involving the needs of school-age children. Groups are also available for teens and adults on the autism spectrum in Nassau and Suffolk groups in NYC. Check website for each group’s specific info.
Association for Mental Health and Wellness
939 Johnson Ave., Ronkonkoma
631-471-7242
info@mhaw.org
Provides weekly supportive groups and counseling services for friends and relatives of persons with mental illness.
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Stony Brook University, Department of Psychiatry, HSC T10-020, Stony Brook
631-632-8850
Offers individual, group, and family therapy, including parent and social skills training and crisis/intensive behavioral interventions for children who identify as a Person with a Developmental Disability through the NYS OPWDD, along with comprehensive evaluations.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Local Chapter of Suffolk County
P.O. Box 743, East Northport
Marie Elena Gandini, coordinator:
mgandini@verizon.net
This chapter offers support groups and lectures to provide support, education, and resources in the community.
DDI, Developmental Disabilities Institute
99 Hollywood Drive, Smithtown
631-366-2900
A nonprofit multi-site agency serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Provides educational, residential, day habilitation, vocational services, respite care, and Medicaid Service coordination. The DDI Parent and Advocacy Network is affiliated with DDI and is made up of families receiving services from DDI.
Eating Disorders
John T. Mather Memorial Hospital
75 N. Country Road, Port Jefferson
631-473-3877
Monthly support group for people with eating disorders; parents, friends, and spouses welcome; registration is not required. Meets every first Monday of the month from 7-8:30pm.
Epilepsy Support Groups
St. Charles Hospital – Holy Innocents (E103)
200 Belle Terre Road, Port Jefferson
631-474-6489
This group meets the second Monday of the month from 6:45-8:15pm.
Neurology Associates of Stony Brook
179 N. Belle Meade Road, Suite 3, East Setauket
631-444-2599
As Suffolk County's only Child Neurology program based in an academic medical institution, the team works on the front lines of medicine to take care of children with neurological disorders. There are two sepcialty centers that provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment/long-term management of multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
South Shore Neurologic Associates at Brookhaven Memorial Medical Center for Individuals and Families
Epilepsy Patient Support Group
100 Hospital Road, 2nd Floor, Room 206, Patchogue
631-758-1910 x2111; 631-666-3939
Free monthly support groups offered to anyone affected by epilepsy; call to register. This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 5:45-7:30pm.
Long Island Sibshops
631-805-2100
Ann Winter
bbmax825@aol.com
Sibshops are held monthly. Siblings of children with special needs will enjoy games, crafts, fun discussions, and meet other siblings of children with special needs.
Our Little Heroes
Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Division of Pediatric Hemotology & Oncology, HSC 11- 029, Stony Brook
631-444-7521, Nicole Gutman, Newsletter Editor
631-444-1024, Darla Broberg, PhD, Psychologist/Staff Liaison
This support group for families of children with cancer provides a newsletter, quarterly support groups, and parties at least twice a year away from the hospital setting for chlildren to see the medical staff in a non-hospital setting.
Parent to Parent of NYS Inc.
415A Oser Ave., Hauppage
631-434-6196
Valerie Colavecchio: vcolavecchio@ptopnys.org
Alissa Morris: amorris@ptopnys.org
A place where families of individuals with special needs and the professionals who serve them can meet and share information. This organization provides one-on-one parent support, assistance in accessing services, educational advocacy, workshops, e-groups, and a comprehensive website of resources. A parent matching program pairs adults, based on their request, with a trained support parent who has a child with a similar disability or health care concern.
Suffolk Independent Living Organization
755 Waverly Ave, Holtsville
631-880-7929
This group assists parents on the many issues surrounding the education of children with disabilities, including advocacy and legal, communication, housing and shelter, information and referrals, transportation, and training.
Support Groups for Parents of Children with Special Needs in Nassau County, Long Island
