Support Groups

General Information:

  • CEN Center For Educational Networking – at this site you can use or download the Michigan Directory of Service Providers. http://www.cenmi.org

Specific Support Groups:

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder:

  • ADDITUDE –Living well with ADD, ADHD and learning disabilities. This site contains resources, tools, checklists, podcasts, person-to-person tips, links, news letters book reviews, forms and blogs. http://www.additudemag.com/

Autism Spectrum Disorder:

  • Autism Society of America - ASA’s strength is in its vibrant grassroots community of chapters and its network of national partners and collaborators. These groups are vital in our efforts of increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer
  • Regional Autism Center at Logan – South Bend, Indiana - The Sonya Ansari Center for Autism (Logan Center) is a collaborative effort. Families, volunteers and professionals come together to promote awareness of autism spectrum disorders and to address the challenges that autism presents. http://www.regionalautismcenter.org/
  • Statewide Autism Resources and Training Project – Grand Valley State – START - The Statewide Autism Resources and Training (START) project is a state-funded project designed to provide training and technical assistance to educators in Michigan that serve students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The START project has been in place for 7 years through the support of the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. The rapid increase in the number of students with ASD entering public schools in Michigan has created a critical need for more and better trained educational staff and the START Project has served a key role in meeting this need. The START Project has created an opportunity for educators, support professionals, and families from across the state to connect, share, and grow to better teach students on the autism spectrum. START has done this with varied, innovative activities all based on the expressed needs of educators and families with an emphasis on effective practices. http://www.gvsu.edu/autismcenter/

Bereavement Support:

  • Lory’s Place (Hospice at Home)- Since opening on November 15, 2004, hundreds of children from Allegan, Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties in Michigan, as well as from Elkhart and South Bend in Indiana, have taken the courageous step of accessing the bereavement resource services of Lory’s Place. With professional bereavement staff and trained volunteers, Lory’s Place provides regularly scheduled age appropriate support group sessions that allow children and adults to interact with peers who have suffered similar loss. Located in the Edgewater Area of St. Joseph, there is no charge for the services that Lory’s Place provides. To receive more information about Lory’s Place call 269-983-2707 or 1-800-717-3812. -http://hospiceathomecares.org/faq.html

Cognitive Impairment:

  • Arc of Michigan - The Arc Michigan exists to empower local chapters of The Arc to assure that citizens with developmental disabilities are valued and that they and their families can participate fully in and contribute to the life of their community. http://www.arcmi.org/
  • Developmental Disabilities Institute -The Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) is located on the campus of Wayne State University in the heart of Detroit’s cultural center. DDI is the state of Michigan’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and is part of a nationwide network dedicated to the development of inclusive communities, the enhancement of the quality of life of people with disabilities, and the enrichment of the field of disability research and service. http://ddi.wayne.edu/
  • National Association for Downs Syndrome - NADS is the oldest organization in the country serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It was founded in Chicago in 1961 by parents who chose to go against medical advice and raised their children with Down syndrome at home. Their pioneering efforts have made it easier for later generations of individuals with Down syndrome to be accepted by their families and communities, to develop their capabilities, and to work towards independence. Our mission is to ensure that all persons with Down syndrome have the opportunity to achieve their potential in all aspects of community life. We offer information, support, and advocacy. http://www.nads.org/

Emotional Impairment:

  • Conduct Disorder site contains links to sites with information and support for Conduct Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Addiction, Parenting Help for RAD, Troubled Teens, Defiant Teens, ADHD and more. http://www.conductdisorder.com/
  • Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders: The Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) is the official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) committed to promoting and facilitating the education and general welfare of children and youth with emotional or behavioral disorders. CCBD is dedicated to supporting the professional development and enhancing the expertise of those who work on behalf of children with challenging behavior and their families. CCBD is committed to students who are identified as having emotional and behavioral disorders and those whose behavior puts them at risk for failure in school, home, and/or community. CCBD supports prevention of problem behavior and enhancement of social, emotional, and educational well-being of all children and youth. http://www.ccbd.net/
  • Behavior Advisor: This granite planet's most visited behavior management web site.  Offering thousands of positive, respectful strategies & interventions for promoting appropriate classroom behavior (in kids AND teachers). Dr. Mac’s Behavior Management Site is still located at this site and is found inside the “Intervention Strategies” button. http://www.behavioradvisor.com/11583.html
  • Kentucky Behavior Home Page: Kentucky Department of Education and the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling are collaborating on this Web page on student behavior. The purpose is to provide a format that allows school personnel, parents, and other professionals to gain access to information, to share effective practices, and to receive ongoing consultation and technical assistance concerning the full range of behavior problems and challenges displayed by children and youth in school and community settings, as well as other behavioral issues that may affect their success in school. http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/behave/homepage.html
  • Safe & Civil Schools: Building on over 30 years of experience, Randy Sprick and associates refine decades of research on effective teaching methods into practical, easy-to-use principles and procedures. Our staff development has helped school districts throughout North America build the knowledge base needed to create positive school environments that are emotionally and physically safe and that foster independence, integrity, confidence, self-control, kindness, and responsibility. http://www.safeandcivilschools.com/

Learning Disabilities:

  • Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan: LDA of Michigan’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, training, service and support of research. http://www.ldaofmichigan.org/about.htm
  • The Michigan Association of Learning Disabilities Educators (MALDE) was formed in 1973 as an organization of individuals interested in the education of students with learning disabilities. We believe that the most effective way to improve education for this diverse group of students is found through cooperative efforts, active participation, communication, and sharing." MALDE offers professional development, bulletin communication, and opportunities for legislative involvement. http://www.mimalde.net/

Language Impairment:

  • The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - The ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 130,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. Vision: Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all. Mission: Empowering and supporting speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. http://www.asha.org/about_asha.htm

Hearing Impairment:

  • The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - The ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 130,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. Vision: Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all. Mission: Empowering and supporting speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. http://www.asha.org/about_asha.htm
  • Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD), is in its second hundred years of educating Michigan ’s deaf and hard of hearing students. She celebrated her 152nd birthday this year. MSD is located on a beautiful green campus located in the middle of Flint , Michigan . MSD follows a school calendar of approximately 180 days for all students. The educational program is similar in structure and sequence to that provided by public schools. We adhere to the same Michigan Standards and Benchmarks that all Michigan public schools are subject to. We also fully implement each and every IEP that places a child in our program. http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_38090---,00.html

Health Impairment:

  • Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Michigan Chapter (AAFA-MI) is the premier source for asthma and allergy education and training programs in Michigan.  http://www.aafamich.org/
  • CHADD - CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation's leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others. http://www.chadd.org/
  • Children’s Special Health Care Services –Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program within the Department of Community Health. It is for children and some adults with special health care needs and their families. CSHCS strives to enable individuals with special health care needs to have improved health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life through the appropriate use of the CSHCS system of care. Our goals are to: Assist individuals with special health care needs in accessing the broadest possible range of appropriate medical care, health education and supports. Assure delivery of these services and supports in an accessible, family cantered, culturally competent, community-based and coordinated manner. Promote and incorporate parent/professional collaboration in all aspects of the program. Remove barriers that prevent individuals with special health care needs form achieving these goals. http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2942_4911_35698---,00.html
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Greater Michigan -The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. http://www.cff.org/
  • Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan - Established in 1948, the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan is the only statewide non-profit organization focusing on epilepsy. The Foundation provides a number of programs and services, including the following: Public and Professional Education & Awareness Programs, such as Seizure First Aid and disability awareness training; Education and Support Programs for people with epilepsy and their families, including Living Well with Epilepsy educational workshops, Camp Discovery, and Adult & Family Retreats; Advocacy Programs; Epilepsy Today Conferences; and Education & Consultation Services, including toll-free phone services, video library, and literature. We have offices in Southfield and Grand Rapids. http://www.epilepsymichigan.org/
  • Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan - The Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan strives to improve the quality of life for all people affected by hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, other coagulation disorders, and related complications, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. http://www.hfmich.org/
  • Michigan Family-to-Family Health Information and Education Center – Our goal is to improve access to quality care and supports for children with special needs in their communities by empowering families. Together with other family, community, and state-wide partners, we will seek to enhance our resources and expand outreach to families across Michigan through information, education and parent-to-parent support. http://www.bridges4kids.org/f2f/

Physical Impairment:

  • Brain Injury Association of Michigan: The Brain Injury Association of Michigan is a non-profit organization that brings together people with brain injury, their families, friends, and concerned professionals to improve the quality of life that people experience after brain injury. http://www.biami.org/index.html
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association - It's MDA's goal to provide opportunities to give and receive support to as many people as possible. MDA offers support groups nationwide to assist individuals and their families in coping with the special problems neuromuscular diseases impose. Support groups provide valuable emotional support and practical help. http://www.mda.org/
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society Michigan Chapter - The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50 state network of chapters. We offer a variety of programs and services to help you meet those needs. http://mig.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MIG_homepage
  • United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan - United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan (UCP Michigan) is a non-profit advocacy organization that works for life without limits for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. We believe that all people with and without disabilities have a right to be part of their communities and to choose how they want to live their lives. http://www.ucp.org/ucp_local.cfm/87

Visual Impairment:

  • The Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) was established on October 1, 1978. For more than 30 years, MCB has been "Changing Lives, Changing Attitudes" by providing services to people in Michigan who are blind or visually impaired. The mission of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) is to provide opportunity to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employability and/or function independently in society. The MCB vision is that someday it will be said that Michigan is a great place for blind people to live, learn, work, raise a family, and enjoy life because: 1. An excellent array of rehabilitation and education services are fully accessible to blind people, 2. Blind people in Michigan believe in themselves and their capacity to achieve excellence, 3. The state's general population believes in the abilities of blind people and understands what blindness is and what it is not, and 4. Michigan employers understand, believe in, and hire people who are blind. Read more information about MCB on this website or call 1-800-292-4200 (voice) or 1-888-864-1212 (TTY), both toll-free in Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-28077_28313---,00.html
  • Temple Beth EL Sisterhood, 7400 Telegraph Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301-3876 For Information call Ilenen Sawyer 248-788-0358 The Temple Beth Braille Bindery Volunteers is an organization that provides services in the typing, binding and distribution of reading materials in Braille at state, national, and international levels.
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