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Support Groups
Autism Tennessee maintains a list of all support groups available in Middle Tennessee for individuals and family members living with autism spectrum disorder.
We encourage you to connect with people in your area that can support you on your walk with autism.
All counties:
Sibshops
Sibshops are support groups open to typically-developing brothers and sisters, ages 8-13, of children with special needs, including autism. They feature a combination of fun, information, surprises, discussion, and more for everyone who attends. Held several times during the year at the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville. Registration fee is $5, and phone registration prior to event is a must! Contact Tonya Bowman at Family Voices of TN for more information, 615-905-6643 or Tonya_b@tndisability.org.
Empowered Ladies Peer Support Group
Empower TN’s peer support group is an opportunity to interact with women who have related challenges and triumphs, a time to exchange authentic life experiences, a relaxed environment to talk, learn, laugh, and empower, and a chance to say, “Me too.”
Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 2-3 pm at Empower Tennessee, 955 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN 37206. For details and to RSVP, contact April at 615-515-8630 or aprilm@empowertn.org.
South Nashville Communities’ Autism Learning and Support Group
A monthly meeting for parents of minimally speaking, non-speaking, or unreliably speaking children, teens and adults with ASD who use or are interested in using an alternative means of communication. Meetings are held at 4:00 PM on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Road Brentwood, TN, in the study rooms (varies by month).
Contact Bryana Williams (931-982-6530 or info@thegrowingplacepediatrics.com) for more information.
Club Social
Contact Kimi Abernathy at 931-580-6498 or kimiabernathy@gmail.com
Club Social is for Nashville and Middle Tennessee high school students with autism who are moderate to high functioning or Aspies. This club is designed for our children to interact with their peers, practice social situations, learn skills, have fun, and make friends. The students will be involved in fun activities which may include art projects, classes, coding, gaming, volunteer projects, dining out, yoga, cooking, hiking, or just hanging out together. As the club evolves, we hope the young people will take a hand in planning and implementing the activities and focus. The first group project involved working with the Heimerdinger Foundation providing meals for cancer patients and teaching gardening and cooking skills.
Asperger Online Parent Group
Tonya Mirtes
tmirtes@yahoo.com
A Facebook group to post upcoming community events, ask questions about resources, share what has worked for you, or to share something our children have accomplished! To join this group you MUST HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT. Search for Asperger Online Parent Group on your Facebook page. At the top right corner of the group page, click on the button that says Ask To Join Group.
Nashville Autism Peer Support Group - NAPS
Facilitator: Patricia Powell
nashaps4you@gmail.com or (615) 772-3264
Facebook.com/NashvilleAutismPeerSupport
An adult support group for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. Meets on the second Sunday of every month, 2-4 pm, at 545 Mainstream Dr, Ste. 100, Nashville, TN 37228-1213. Meeting place is at the ARC of Tennessee. Parents, friends, family members all welcome to attend as well.
Men’s Dinner
John Shouse 615-476-7472, jmshouse@bellsouth.net
Dinner for dads and granddads of children with autism. Meets 2nd Monday of the month at McAllister’s in Brentwood at 6:00 pm. Please email before going to make sure someone’s there! A place to get together and socialize. No “let’s go round the circle” or nametags!
Margarita Moms Social Group
Andrea Cates
A parent get together that meets the second Thursday of the month for dinner and drinks at Garcia’s in Franklin (1113 Murfreesboro Rd #316). For parents who have children/adults with autism. Join the Facebook page to keep abreast of any changes!
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/225794424102160/
Online Support Group for Parents of Young Children with Autism
Erin Perry
erin@autismvillage.com
Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS)
TABS is a statewide support group for adult siblings of individuals with disabilities. The group hosts an annual conference in Nashville and meets for dinner once a month (check website for dates and times). For more information, or to register to receive updates, contact Laurie Fleming at 615-936-8852 or go to http://vkc.mc.vanderbilt.edu/vkc/tabs/
BEDFORD
Aut2Be Kids Social Club
Leta Frame
(931) 684-8169
parentsact@gmail.com
For ages 9+; meets bi-monthly at the Shelbyville Recreation Center.
CHEATHAM
Cheatham County Kids
Teresa Brunker, 615-513-0454
This is a support group for parents and families of children with all disabilities. Meets online and on Facebook and has annual events in the community.
COFFEE
Manchester Support Group
Christina Harr
harr.christina@yahoo.com
Join us on Facebook
DAVIDSON
Middle Tennessee Celiac Lifestyle Group
Group meets at Centennial Medical Center Women’s Hospital Physician’s Office Building Auditorium.
HICKMAN
Hope for Autism
New support group in Centerville, TN sponsored by Hope Church. Meets every 2nd Thursday @ 7:00pm at the church location, 107 Progress Center Plaza, Centerville, TN 37033. Childcare will be provided.
Contact Person: Mary Neely at 931-996-9303
LINCOLN
Lincoln County Puzzle Solvers Autism Awareness & Support Group
Lindsay Edwards
(931) 993-7787
ledwards.puzzlesolver86@gmail.com
Meetings are held at Stone Bridge Academy located at 1107 Hedgemont Avenue, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
MADISON
ARMS Jackson Area Chapter
For info, go to: armsjackson@gmail.com or call (731) 446-5441
Sponsored through ARMS (Autism Resources of the Mid-South). Meetings held at Behavioral Outreach Services, 32 Garland Drive, Jackson, TN 38305. Childcare provided with early RSVP.
MAURY
Tennessee Voices for Children Support Group
Kathy Rogers (931) 560-3085
Support group is for children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues, regardless of the diagnosis. Meets the first Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the Family Center, 921 Beckett St., Columbia. Child care provided with prior notice.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY/FT. CAMPBELL
AutismTN Spectrum Families of Clarksville
Email support@autismtn.org to learn more from an AutismTN HELPline Advocate.
Ft. Campbell Support Group for All Disabilities (Exceptional Family Member Program-EFMP)
EFMP office
(270) 798-2727
(270) 798-3426
Tennessee Voices for Children Support Group
Wendy Sullivan
(615) 269-7751, ext. 140
(800) 670-9882
Support group is for children with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues, regardless of the diagnosis. Meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at 331 Union Street, Clarksville. Child care provided with prior notice.
PUTNAM
Rising Above Ministries Support Groups
RUTHERFORD
Beyond Aquatics Special Needs Support Group
Michael Burrows, Owner, 615-624-9219
Kelsey Lowder, Instructor, 629-207-1566
Beyond Aquatics will be holding an autism and special needs support group on Saturdays from 2-3pm. One of our trained staff members will lead the group weekly. The group will be held outside of the water, but bring a swimsuit just in case you plan on jumping into our 4ft deep heated pools. Beyond Aquatics is located at 236 Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Cost is $15 per child. We also provide one-on-one swim lessons for special needs children scheduled at the parents convenience. For more information on the group and swim lessons contact Kelsey Lowder.
Autism Community of Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro Special Moms
Valerie Pulk
Facebook Page: Murfreesboro Special Moms
This is a Facebook group for parents of children with special needs to come together for support, schedule play groups, find out about special events in the Murfreesboro, and just get some overall encouragement!
Family Support Group
Elizabeth Richardson
(615) 864-4644
lizrichardson1@bellsouth.net
The Family Support Group has moved to Smyrna but is open to anyone in Rutherford or surrounding counties. Meets the 1st Thursday of each month. Call for details.
WARREN
Special Parents of Exceptional Children
SPED Office (931) 668-1728
Shannon Jacobs jacobss@k12tn.net
Michelle Hennessee (931) 668-5578 hennesseem@k12tn.net
Families with any special need are welcome! Meets on the last Monday of the month during the school year (except November and December) at Hickory Creek Elementary School, 270 Pioneer Lane, McMinnville from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm. Child care is available if you call ahead. If school is cancelled, so is the meeting! Find on Facebook at Warren County Special Parents of Exceptional Children.
WILLIAMSON
Autism Support Group for Parents or Caregivers
FREE Autism Support Group for parents or caregivers of all ages that is being run by Caitlin Rissler, RN with Music City Peds, along with Dr. James Goodlad from Southeast Psych Nashville at their office starting the day after Labor Day. It will be the 1st Tuesday of each month from 6-7pm. It’s free, and no registration is required. Folks can just show up. They cannot offer childcare, unfortunately. This will be at 5409 Maryland Way, Suite 202, Brentwood, TN 37207. Those who want to know more can email Mindi, the clinic coordinator, at mvaladez@musiccitypeds.com.
Social Group for Young Adults with LD
Karen Miller, Karen.miller@mindspring.com or Susan Reagan, shreagan@gmail.com
A support/social group for young adults, ages 21-31, with mild learning differences and/or high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders who want to be more socially active. Our members will enjoy group activities such as bowling, movies, music, biking, hiking, etc. Group will meet once a week with some minimal oversight from parent organizers. No cost to be part of the group other than the price of admission to events and possibly sharing in transportation expenses. Check out the website to see if this might be the group for you! http://www.meetup.com/Franklin-TN-Social-Group-for-Young-Adults-with-LD/
Mercy Community Healthcare
Gretchen Dorman
(615) 790-0567 x 241
mercycommunityhealthcare.org
Mercy Community Healthcare is known for its comprehensive, compassionate treatment and is committed to improving the physical, mental, and spiritual health of both its patients and the community. We are excited to offer several group therapy options at Mercy.
Franklin Autism Moms
Lisa Burgess
(615) 642-9282
lisaaburgess@hotmail.com
Meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 am at Panera Bread in Cool Springs on Mallory Lane. You do not have to live in Franklin or Williamson County to participate…everyone welcomed! On Facebook too.