UPDATED APRIL 2019: Raising a child with a unique set of special needs can have you feeling isolated and unsure of how to connect with other parents going through the same thing—and unfortunately, support groups are hard to find if you don’t know where to look. To make this process easier, we curated a list of support groups across Westchester County that offer parents of kids with a wide variety of special needs a space to share experiences and resources—and help each other know no one is alone in this journey. Many of these organizations also connect parents to information and resources that can help their children live fulfilled lives.
1 Radisson Plaza, Suite 801, New Rochelle
914-251-0905
Bilingual evaluation, educational, and therapeutic services including assisting parents, family, and caregivers in understanding the special needs of their child by providing information about child development and working with a child with a disability.
Family Ties of Westchester Inc.
112 E. Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains
914-995-5238
A grassroots organization that provides advocacy and support services to families of children with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties, including support groups for parents, grandparents, girls, and boys. Some are conducted in Spanish. Locations include:
Mount Vernon Family Resource Center
105 Stevens Ave., Suite 402, Mount Vernon
914-667-9369
mountvernon@famtieswest.org
Ossining Family Resource Center
175 Main St., 2nd Floor, Ossining
914-941-3461
ossining@famtieswest.org
Peekskill Family Resource Center
3 N. Division St., 2nd Floor, Peekskill
914-739-4725
peekskill@famtieswest.org
Yonkers Family Resource Center
30 S. Broadway, 7th Floor, Yonkers
914-964-2063
yonkers@famtieswest.org
Enid Ancell Family Center
999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale
914-472-3300 x306
A JCC resource team member assists parents of children with special needs by providing referrals to mental health specialists, counseling, parenting skills training, legal advice, or divorce mediation.
Parents Place – The Guidance Center of Westchester
The Creative Learning Center
17 Anderson St, New Rochelle
914-613-0700 x7301
Lydia Castro: 914-613-0700 x7345
The Guidance Center offers mental health services to help people with their emotional, social, and psychological well-being, including individual, family, and group counseling, therapists for children and teenagers, and referrals to mental health and school-based clinics. Parent Support Groups meet twice a month on Fridays from 9:30-11am and Saturdays from 11:30am-1pm. Groups offer support, encouragement, resource sharing, and private counseling by appointment.
The Guidance Center of Westchester
The Creative Learning Center
32 Le Count Place, New Rochelle
Suzanne Prigoda, LMSW
914-613-0700
sprigoda@theguidancecenter.org
This group allows parents to share information and resources while decreasing feelings of isolation and loneliness that can come from raising a child with autism. Groups meet in the mornings once a month, from 9:30-11am.
Hudson Valley Special Education Parent Center
914-493-7665
HVSEPC at the Westchester Institute for Human Development provides resources and strategies for parents to have a greater role in their child’s special education programs. Programs include workshops on understanding special education and individualized education programs, transition and career planning, and talking to children about their learning differences.
115 King St., Chappaqua
914-238-8384
Works individually with parents and children with brain and spinal cord tumors and helps children settle back into school after receiving treatments.
Leo Mintzer Community Center
251 Underhill Ave., West Harrison
845-230-8045
Assists parents struggling with the behavior of their teen or adult children. Group meets Wednesdays from 7:15-9:15pm.
855-487-2384
This private Facebook group aims to educate, support, and empower moms of children with special needs and their families.
Westchester Arc, Parent Assistance Committee on Down Syndrome
40 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne
Kathy Higgins, coordinator: 914-347-3227
khiggins@arcwestchester.org
Barbara Nuccio: barbnuch@verizon.net
A group of Westchester parents of young children (babies, toddlers, and preschoolers) with Down syndrome who know how important it is to be linked to other parents, resources, and support groups. Contact Kathy or Barbara to sign up. Groups meet one Thursday each month from 10-11:30am.
Westchester Arc, Children’s School for
Early Development
40 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne
914-347-3227 x106
Provides educational, social, and support services for children ages newborn through 5 years and their families.
Westchester Foundation for Autism
P.O. Box 596, Scarsdale
wfa@wfautism.org
866-529-8090
An organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families of children with autism and related developmental delays through social events, education, recreational programs, and family support.
600 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 400, Harrison
914-301-9474
Westchester Group Works offers a variety of support groups for parents who have children with a disability or chronic illness. Groups change depending on parental needs, feelings, and concerns.
Westchester Jewish Community Services, Autism Services and The Autism Center
845 N. Broadway, White Plains
Leigh Englander, program coordinator
lenglander@wjcs.com
914-761-0600 x228
Offers a full range of services that assist children and adults on the autism spectrum and the challenges their families face. Support includes therapeutic services, special needs advocacy, and parent training. Project lifesaver program for children at risk of wandering. WJCS offers a grandparents’ support group, social skills groups for pre-K through high school students, and other social groups for young adults on the spectrum. WJCS also provides referrals for all autism services in Westchester and the surrounding areas.
914-949-7699 x593
A social skills-based group for adolescents on the autism spectrum and their families. Weekly meetings take place in a club-like format for the teenagers and participants to engage in activities that enhance social, recreational, and independent living skills.
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