Resources

COSAC sponsors sixteen parent and family support groups throughout New Jersey.  Support groups provide opportunities for parents to learn more about autism, to access information about services and treatments, and to offer and receive support.  Most groups meet once per month with the facilitation of a professional who is hired and supervised by COSAC. Some meetings feature guest speakers on various autism-related topics. All parents and family members of individuals withautism are welcome to attend. If you have any questions about a support group, feel free to call the contact person for that group. To be added to the mailing list for the group in your area or to confirm any dates, locations and times, please call COSAC’s Support Group Information line at 609-883-8100, ext. 28 or e-mail [email protected]. Click here for directions.

By County
For Specific Group
Parents who Speak Spanish–Essex

By County For Specific Group Bergen Parents of Adolescents Burlington Parents of Adults Camden Parents who Speak Spanish–Hudson Essex Parents who Speak Spanish–Essex Hudson Hunterdon Sibling Pen Pal Program Mercer Middlesex Monmouth Morris/Sussex/Warren Ocean Somerset Union For additional support group resources, click here. NEW TIME! Meeting Dates: March 6, April 3, May 1 Location/Time: Mt. Carmel Church, Ridgewood from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Rory Panter, Psy.D. Parent Contact: Gary Lahm 201-503-9476 NEW! Meeting Dates: February 18, March 25, April 22 Location/Time: Olde York Country Club, Chesterfield from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Kimberly Rumaker, MSS, LSW Parent Contact: Call Autism New Jersey, 609.883.8100, extension 45 Meeting Dates: JFebruary 24, March 24, April 28 Location/Time: YCS Sawtelle South, West Collingswood, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Amy Golden, M.S., BCBA Parent Contact: Autism New Jersey 609-883-8100, extension 45 Meeting Dates: March 2, April 6, May 4 Location/Time:  Congregation Beth Ahm, Verona from 7:00pm – 9:00pm Group Facilitator:  Michele Havens, Ed.D. Parent Contact:  Autism New Jersey 609-883-8100, extension 45 Meeting Dates: March 4, April 1, May 6 Location/Time: Jewish Community Center, Bayonne, 7:00 to 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Tamara Bannon, LMSW, BCBA Parent Contact: Patti Kennedy Calvo 201.823.9541 Padres Ayudando a Padres. Dates: March 5, April 2, May 7 Location/Time: Iglesia San Augustin, de 7:00 pm a 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Claudia Moreno, Ph.D. Parent Contact: Susana Albistur 201-864-7262 Padres Ayudando a Padres. Dates: March 3, April 7, May 5 Location/Time: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Newark, 8:00 to 10:00 pm Group Facilitator: Claudia Moreno, Ph.D. Parent Contact: Autism New Jersey 609.883.8100, extension 45 Meeting dates: February 9, March 9, April 20 Location/Time: JW Tumbles, Clinton from 7:30 to 9:30 pm Group Facilitator: Nancy Arvizzigno, MA, LPC Parent Contact: Mary Beth Ruchlin 908-730-7002 (day) or 908-387-1383 (evening) Meeting dates: February 20, March 20, April 17 Location/Time: YMCA, 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ  08620, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D. Parent Contact: Kelly Lutz 609-584-8825 (evening & weekends) Meeting dates: March 5, April 2, May 7 Location/Time: Raritan Valley Academy, Piscataway, 7:00 to 9:00 pm Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D. Contact: Laura Turci (732) 980-9008 Meeting dates: February 26, March 26, April 23 Location/Time: Monmouth County Library, Manalapan, 6:30 to 8:30 PM Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D. Parent Contacts: COSAC (609) 883-8100 Ext. 45 Meeting dates: February 18, March 25, April 22 Location/Time: Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Group Facilitator: Roy Panter, Psy D. Parent Contact: Jodi Pimentel 973-663-2505 Meeting dates: February 12, March 12, April 16 Location/Time: Children’s Specialized Hospital, Toms River Group Facilitator: Melissa DeWees, Psy.D. Parent Contacts: Maria and Brandon Chornobroft 732-363-6228 Meeting dates: February 17, March 17, April 21 Location/Time:  Montclair Kimberly Academy, Montclair, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Group Facilitator: Barbara Wells Parent Contact:  Alice Hirsh 973-324-2131 Meeting dates: February 20, March 20, April 17 Location/Time: Bergen Community College, C-Wing of Pitkin Education Building, C. Room C-325, Parking in “A” lot,  7:00 to 9:00 pm. Parent Coordinator: Kathy Kientz Parent Contacts: Kathy Kientz 973-655-8066 Mon-Fri, 6:30pm-10:00pm or Sat. & Sun, anytime.  Meeting dates: March 2, April 6, May 4 Location/Time: Clarence Dillion Public Library, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Group Facilitator: Nancy Arvizzigno, M.A. Parent Contacts: Please call COSAC, (609) 883-8100, ext. 45 Meeting dates: February 24, March 24, April 28 Location/Time: Children’s Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM Group Facilitator: Nancy Arvizzigno, MA, LPC Parent Contacts: Deb Ritter at 908-233-8510 (1:00 to 5:00 PM only) COSAC operates a pen pal list for sisters and brothers of individuals with autism or related disorders.  To join the program, please download and complete the sign-up form.  For more information, contact Gale Rainier at [email protected] Back to top Click below for additional listings of support groups: Support Groups for parents of children with autism or related disorders ASPEN Support Groups for parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, and for Adults with Asperger’s and  High Functioning Autism Additional Support Groups