Support Groups, Resources, and Recommendations
New! Summer Camps in the East Bay:
Here are some camps I've heard about, that either focus on special needs or social skills, or their themes might appeal to many kids on the autism spectrum. Please do your own research since
I’m only reporting what others have told me, I’m not professionally or
personally involved in any of them. And, if you are aware of other East
Bay programs for the summer, please let me know.
Strawberry Canyon Blue Camp's Social Skills camp, on the UC Berkeley campus offers a program for kids with social skills deficits, grades 3 to 12. Younger kids are in groups with a leader, but take part in their activities along with the typical kids from the larger daycamp. For teenagers with special needs, the camp offers a counselor in training program, with focus on social skills as they relate to job skills.
Quest Camps in Alamo offers programs for campers from ages 6 to 18, with special responsibilities and programs for teen campers. They have daily activities, field trips and therapy.
Trails to Success offers their summer camp programs in Orinda. They also have a counselor in training program for teenagers.
Walnut Creek offers a summer therapeutic program through the city parks and recreation. We Care in Concord has also offered an autism summer camp, although I only found online information on the 2009 program. The Easter Seals Kaleidoscope program in Dublin offers an after school program, and I'm told they extend their schedule to longer days over the summer.
Sarah’s Science “This Land Is Your Land” camp is not designed specifically for special needs children, but the science and nature themes may be of interest to many kids. A mom told me that her son with Asperger’s really enjoyed the camp. Older campers can do more challenging projects, and there is a counselor in training program. The camp is located in San Ramon, Berkeley, and Oakland.
Strawberry Canyon Blue Camp's Social Skills camp, on the UC Berkeley campus offers a program for kids with social skills deficits, grades 3 to 12. Younger kids are in groups with a leader, but take part in their activities along with the typical kids from the larger daycamp. For teenagers with special needs, the camp offers a counselor in training program, with focus on social skills as they relate to job skills.
Quest Camps in Alamo offers programs for campers from ages 6 to 18, with special responsibilities and programs for teen campers. They have daily activities, field trips and therapy.
Trails to Success offers their summer camp programs in Orinda. They also have a counselor in training program for teenagers.
Walnut Creek offers a summer therapeutic program through the city parks and recreation. We Care in Concord has also offered an autism summer camp, although I only found online information on the 2009 program. The Easter Seals Kaleidoscope program in Dublin offers an after school program, and I'm told they extend their schedule to longer days over the summer.
Sarah’s Science “This Land Is Your Land” camp is not designed specifically for special needs children, but the science and nature themes may be of interest to many kids. A mom told me that her son with Asperger’s really enjoyed the camp. Older campers can do more challenging projects, and there is a counselor in training program. The camp is located in San Ramon, Berkeley, and Oakland.
Tech Know How
offers camps on computers, Legos and game design. Again, this camp is
not designed specifically for kids with special needs, but it does
match well with the interests of many kids on the spectrum, and a mom
reported her child with Asperger's enjoyed it. They have locations
throughout the Bay Area.
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My Articles:
Find my free articles on autism, Asperger's and ADHD. Read frequently updated parenting tips as well tips for adults with Asperger's on my blog: Thrive on the Autism Spectrum.
Local Support Groups:
(Please verify the times and location. I try to keep this up to date, but can't always.)
There's a monthly support group for ASDs and NLD at Barnes and Noble in Walnut Creek. Check out the schedule at http://www.aspergersresource.org/
Special Parents 4 Special Kids, a support group for parents of kids with special needs meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The meetings are at Child Care Links, 1020 Serpentine Lane, Suite 104, Pleasanton, CA. This
group also offers periodic lectures and workshops, as well as assistance for
newcomers to secure the appropriate services and therapies, and help in
advocating with the Regional Center and the school districts. The group
publishes a "Roadmap for
Autism" resource guide. The group also offers some social activities
for families. You can contact the moderator, Michelle Singh at
michelle.ryansmom@gmail.com for more information.
For people from about 14 to 24 on the Autistic Spectrum, there's a "Transitions to Adulthood" group that primarily communicates online. Contact louiseglueck@yahoo.com for information on this group.
For people from about 14 to 24 on the Autistic Spectrum, there's a "Transitions to Adulthood" group that primarily communicates online. Contact louiseglueck@yahoo.com for information on this group.
CHADD of Northern California offers a number of services for both adults and the families of kids and teenagers with ADD or ADHD. Go to http://www.chaddnorcal.org/index.htm to access their schedule of support group meetings and find parent trainings.
CARE Parent Network offers parent support including peer facilitated groups, workshops, a newsletter and they put on a biannual conference in the East Bay. Contact CARE for an intake evaluation, since the groups are not open to drop ins. This organization has groups for both Spanish and English speaking families. Email Louise Schneiders at LSchneidersCARE@aol.com or call 925-313-0999 x101.
The Autism Family Support Project of We Care Services for Children, in Concord, serves children ages 2 to 7 with any Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their families. They offer parent support meetings, parent education and monthly activities, as well as a summer camp. The support group for parents meets the third Thursday of the month, 10 am to noon, and the fourth Monday of the month from 7 pm to 9 pm, at We Care in Concord. The schedule sometimes changes, and RSVPs are required, so please contact the Project Coordinator, Vi Ibarra, (925) 671-0777, ext 25. http://www.wecarebmcc.org/
You can also find local groups, meetings and social get-togethers for adults with Asperger's and other special needs, as well as families of kids with Asperger's Disorder and other ASDs at Meetup.com. Specific groups may change, but try http://www.meetup.com/asperger/ for adults with Asperger's.
The Springstone School in Lafayette, California and the Orion Academy, in Moraga, California are schools for kids with Asperger's and NLD. They both offer different informational and support opportunities. Check their websites regularly for up to date information.
The Father's Circle at http://www.thefatherscircle.org/ meets the 4th Thursday of every month in Pleasanton. This is a group for fathers of children with special needs. Check out their online schedule, plus some interesting links there as well.
There is an online group at yahoo groups called eastbayautism.
There
is also a Yahoo group for teens on the autism spectrum, including
self diagnosed individuals. It's sponsored by Autistic Self Advocacy
Network, and moderated by adult members of the Autistic Self Advocacy
Network. Visit Yahoo Groups, ASANTeens to join.
Mt. Diablo Adult Education is offering the Transition Options Program. (TOPS) It's a 4 day per week class for adults, 18 and up, with Asperger's, NLD or high functioning autism. The course focuses on the transition to higher education or employment and covers social skills, independence, networking and support. The program will be offered on a continuing basis. Contact Teri Demmon (925) 685-7340 ext. #2742 or demmont@mdusd.k12.ca.us
The Creekside School in San Jose, CA offers periodic trainings for parents in Floortime/DIR. Their events pages has downloadable information as well.
Mt. Diablo Adult Education is offering the Transition Options Program. (TOPS) It's a 4 day per week class for adults, 18 and up, with Asperger's, NLD or high functioning autism. The course focuses on the transition to higher education or employment and covers social skills, independence, networking and support. The program will be offered on a continuing basis. Contact Teri Demmon (925) 685-7340 ext. #2742 or demmont@mdusd.k12.ca.us
The Creekside School in San Jose, CA offers periodic trainings for parents in Floortime/DIR. Their events pages has downloadable information as well.
A Few Selected Websites:
MAAP, has a wealth of information and resources on Asperger's, autism and PDD. They also publish a newsletter.GRASP: This site about Asperger's Disorder is a favorite because of the extensive articles and podcasts.
About.com:Autism has a excellent, extensive site with information on just about any topic related to autism, including Asperger's, and they take a moderate, balanced stance. This is the site where I send newly diagnoses clients. They have a regular newsletter too.
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is located in San Jose, but they hold events throughout the Bay Area, and their resource list is extensive.
OASIS: This site doesn't seem to be updated very frequently, but it is full of information, so it's worth a visit to check it out.
ADDA, the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, is for adults with AD/HD, They have links to resources, newsletters, other sites, local support and much more.
Insurance Issues: For help dealing with insurance issues, some parents have had luck with http://www.insurancehelpforautism.com/, and the Yahoo group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/kaiserspectrumkids/ although I'm not familiar with them.
CHADD has an enormous website, with resources, articles and local contacts.
For help with educational issues, Community Alliance for Special Education is very knowledgeable and useful. They have a handbook online with details about special education, as well as training and consultations.
Magazines:
Autism Asperger's Digest (http://www.autismdigest.com/index.htm) has articles and columns from people on the autistic spectrum, and their family members, as well as various professionals.
ADDitude Magazine, (http://www.additudemag.com/) aimed at those with an ADHD or learning disability diagnosis, has articles aimed at both parents and adults with ADD or ADHD.
Books:
For some of my favorite books on Autism, Asperger's, ADHD, Organizing, and Parenting, check out book reviews and the list on the left side of my blog: Thrive on the Autism Spectrum.
For therapy in San Ramon, California or coaching nationwide,
please call Patricia Robinson MFT at (925) 915-0924
or email patricia@patriciarobinsonmft.com.
please call Patricia Robinson MFT at (925) 915-0924
or email patricia@patriciarobinsonmft.com.
Material on this website is for informational and/or educational purposes only and is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional services. Use of this website does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
