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Support for individuals and families can be crucial but may be difficult to find. We have provided a list of places to contact and find out either the local chapter information that can direct you to your local support group or direct chapter numbers.
Please contact us to inform us about other groups!
 Maryland Resources
Hero: Health Education and Resource Organization
Phone: (410) 685-1180
(888) 694-4399 (help line)
Provides local support group information
Rafiki Youth Group/HOPE Support Center
Baltimore City
Phone: (410) 225-2698
For youth with HIV/AIDS
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Provides local support group information as well as referrals to local practitioners
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Maryland Chapter
Phone: (410) 653-2880
(800) 727-9333
Provides local support group information
ADHD Support Group - St. Mary's County
301-475-6603 X1802
email: Christina_bishop@co.saint-marys.md.us
Families and professionals working with children with ADHD are welcome to participate. This group is not currently meeting, but if interested please contact.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Support group for parents of children with attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity. There are many local chapters that can provide local support and information.
Jewish Social Services of Metropolitan Washington
Phone: (301) 990-6880
Provides social skills and therapy support groups for children
Autism Society of America Local Chapters will provide support group information, click to go to the general ASA website
Anne Arundel County Chapter of the Autism Society of America
AAACC (Autism Aspergers Association of Calvert County)
Autistic Children's Support Group of Worcester County
Providing supports for Somerset, Wicomoco and Worcester Counties
(410) 352-5011
Baltimore - Chesapeake Chapter of the Autism Society of America
Families of Children with Autism Support Group (FOCAS)
(410) 857-1596
email: focascc@yahoo.com
FOCAS meets from January to June and September to November. The group also offers resource lists, guest speakers, and social gatherings.
Families for Intensive Autism Treatment (FIAT)
FIAT is an online support group and networking organization for parents of children with autism. FIAT offers information on intensive early autism intervention approaches and strives to help families cope with autism.
Lower Eastern Shore Autism Support Group
This is a newly formed group supported through a Family NET Works grant. For information on meeting times and location call: Lyndwina Diemel at (410) 860-0916.
Maryland Asperger Advocacy and Support Group
Contact: Gayle Blum
Phone 410-429-5321
This group was a previous recipient of a Family NET Works Support Grant. Please call for times and locations of meetings.
Anne Arundel County Asperger Support Group
Our group is dedicated to the advocacy and developmental needs of children who have been
diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.
MCASA (Montgomery County Maryland Chapter of the Autism Society of America)
O.A.S.I.S (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support)
Provides local, national, and online support group information
POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) of Central Maryland
Stella Maris Hospice
Center for Grief & Loss Phone: (410) 252-4500 ext. 7291
Call for further information
Hospice of Maryland
Private and group support services available
Mercy Medical Center office of Pastoral Care
Phone: (410) 332-9127
Community resource on bereavement and grief
St. Agnes Hospice Center for Bereavement Care
Program available specifically for families who have lost a child.
St. Joseph's Hospital-Jordan Center Social Work Department
Phone: (410) 337-1684
For ages 50 or older, six week sessions.
Sinai Hospital, Widowed Persons Service
Phone: (410) 601-5018
For ages 50 or older
Maryland School for the Blind
Phone: (410)-444-5000 ext. 299
Provides biweekly support group meetings
National Federation of the Blind
Phone: (410) 379-6130
Provides local contact information within the State of Maryland
United Cerebral Palsy
Local Chapters will provide support group information
Cerebral Palsy Support Group of Howard County
Phone; (410) 992-4599 Dan Dotson
Meets the last Thursday of the month.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Maryland Chapter
Phone: (800) 731-2873
(410) 771-9000
Provides local chapter information
Local Chapters will provide support group information
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Phone/TTY: (800) 638-8225
Phone/TTY: (301) 897-8682
Provides local chapter information
Local Chapters will provide support group information
Maryland School for Deaf-Blind
Phone: (410) 480-4500
TTY: (410) 480-4501
Provides in-home support for parents of infants or toddlers and referral to other resources
The Arc of Maryland
Phone: (410) 571-9320(Annapolis)
(410) 974-6139(Baltimore)
FIELD of Harford County
Future Independence & Education for Learning Disabilities
Phone: (410) 939-5629; (410) 838-1154; (410) 879-0727
The group provides socialization as well as educational opportunities to promote independent living. FIELD provides parents and guardians of members with a network to exchange information and resources. Membership open to young adults age 18 and older. Local Chapters will provide support group information
Self help for individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Family Service Foundation
Prince George's County
Phone: (301) 459-2121, ext. 32
The Family Service Foundation sponsors a support group for adults with developmental disabilities. The group meets on Tuesdays at 7p.m. Call for further information.
Office of Consumer Advocates, Inc. Hagerstown, Maryland Phone: (301) 790-5054 Call for further information
Andrews Area Parents of Down Syndrome (PODS)
Phone: (301) 918-8256
Call for further information
Anne Arundel Parents of Children with Down Syndrome
Phone: (410) 349-0195
Call for further information
Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
Phone: (410) 321-5434
Call for further information
Down Syndrome Resource Network of Howard County
Phone: (410) 730-4266
Call for further information
Eastern Shore Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
Contact: Kim Spotts (410) 860-9496
kdwspotts@aol.com
This is a newly formed group and a recipient of a grant from the Family NET Works project.
Family Resource Information Education Network for Down Syndrome
Contact: Lorena Zecher (301) 834-6848
L719zecher@aol.com
Located in Frederick County, this support group is a recipient of a grant from the Family NET Works project.
Pee-Wee PODS/Fredrick County
Phone: (301) 865-3912
Call for further information
ABIL/Social Phobias/Montgomery County
Phone: (301) 874-2462
Call for further information
Affective Disorders Support Group
(800) 515-0044
For persons diagnosed with depression or manic depression & their families.
Meets the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Phone: (800) 467-0075
Provides forum for parents to meet on a regular basis
Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
Provides local support group information
Coping and Caring Support Group
First and third Thursday of every month
Location: Owen Brown Library, Cradle Rock Way, Columbia, MD. Sponsored by: Maryland Coalition of Families for Children's Mental Health and Coping and Caring. This is a new support group for families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges. For more information contact (410)730-8267.
Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association (DRADA)
Phone: (410) 955-4647 (Baltimore)
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area: (202) 955-5800
Oakland: (303) 359-0808
Provides local support group information
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (FFCMH)
Local Affiliates will provide local support group information:
Harford County Family Network Alliance
Contact: Harford County Family Systems Reform Intitiative (410) 638-3166
Offers support and information to families who have a child or adolescent who has mental health needs. Meets on the third Tuesday of each month, 7 P.M.
Maryland Coalition Families for Children's Mental Health
Phone: (410) 730-8267
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Provides local support group information
The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
Provides local support group information
On Our Own
Statewide: (410) 646-0262 or (800) 704-0262 Provides local support group information
Psychiatric Support Group
Phone: (410) 553-8070
Meets at North Arundel Hospital.
Recover, Inc.
(410) 254-1000.
A self-help group which offers techniques to banish anxieties and fears.
The Feeding Table
Phone: (410) 326-1012
(410) 326-1746
Provides support for parents of children with feeding concerns
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - Feeding Related Issues & Eating Disorders Support Group
(410) 544-3759
kmcnally@erols.com
This is a support group for parents of children who have been identified as having feeding issues/disorders. The group offers support, guidance, information and speakers at its monthly meetings. Groups meets at the Severna Park Branch Library in Anne Arundel County.
Abilities Network Family Empowerment Network
Phone: (800) 492-2523
In the Company of Mothers (ICOM)
Phone: (410) 957-3577 (Becky Kuhn-Sykes)
(410) 632-0843 (Debbie DiPaolo)
In the Company of Mothers is a networking/support group for families which include children with special needs. This group meets on a monthly basis, opening their homes to each other to share experiences, educate themselves on issues related to raising children with disabilities and exchanging resources.
Maryland Family Support Network
Phone: (800) 535-0182
The Family Support Network offers support to families receiving early intervention services. In addition to providing information about available programs and services, the Family Support Network helps families by: linking them to other families that may share similar experiences; offering specialized workshops and seminars; and establishing Family-to-Family Support Networks to help meet needs in local communities.
Partners for Success Resource Centers for Families and Schools
The Division of Special Education
Maryland State Department of Education
Phone: (800) 535-0182
The centers are located throughout Maryland. These centers provide information and referrals, training for families including programs for siblings and a variety of workshops and seminars for families and educators.
Hearing Loss Association of America
A local and national organization that provides support and education to people who have a hearing loss.
Greater Baltimore Parents Association for Hearing Impaired Children
Baltimore County
Phone: (410) 788-0131
Call for further information regarding support groups
Maryland Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Phone: (410) 636-8080
Fax: (410) 636-1727
Email: Maryland@jdrf.org
The Maryland Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) provides valuable information about diabetes to people with diabetes, their families and the general community. They also hold a variety of successful events to raise much-needed funds for diabetes research.
Diabetes Insipidus Foundation, Inc.
Provides local support group information
National Kidney Foundation
Provides local support group information
Learning Disability Association of Maryland, Inc. (LDA-MD)
Phone:(800) 673-6777 or (410) 337-3702
Provides local chapter information
Olney Exceptional K.I.D.S.
301/924-4824
Olney Exceptional K.I.D.S. (Kids in Dynamic Situations) is a support group for families that include children with learning and developmental disabilities. The group meets on the third Thursday evening of every month at the Olney Community Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. to share experiences and develop knowledge on issues related to raising children with special needs.
Parents Helping Parents
Phone: (301) 933-1076
Email: ldamc@ldamc.org
Sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County -- understanding & advocating for your child.
Exceptional Family Member Program
Phone: (301) 677-5590
For Military families based at Ft. Meade
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Maryland
Phone: (410) 494-7106
baltimore@mdausa.org
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Maryland Chapter
Phone: (443) 641-1200
Email: INFO@NMSS-MD.ORG
National Disabled Students Union (NDSU)
MUMS, National Parent-to-Parent Network
email: mums@netnet.net
Phone: 877-336-5333
This organization keeps a database and connects parents with children with similar diagnosis, life situations, or conditions.
Parent to Parent Network
A division of the Abilities Network. This program matches parents of special needs children to other parents of special needs children for support. They train "mentor" parents and match them to parents who have newly diagnosed children, or just have decided they need support. Periodic training sessions held. For more information contact: kdunning@abilitiesnetwork.org or 443-562-4772
Maryland Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Inc.
Phone: (410) 467-6015 (Baltimore)
Provides local support group information
Genetic Alliance
Phone: (800) 336-GENE (Help line)
Provides local support group contact information
International Klinefelter Syndrome Support Organization
Phone: (916) 773-1449
Provides local support group information
International Rett Syndrome Association
Phone: (301) 649-7231 (Maryland Representative)
Provides local support group information
Mid-Atlantic Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome Support Group
Phone: (410) 522-2131
Provides local support group information
Maryland Fragile X Resource Group
Phone: 410-775-7290
Provides local support group information
National Tay-Sachs and Allied Disease Association, Inc.
Phone: (800) 906-8723
Provides on-line support group information
Noonan Syndrome Support Group, Inc.
Phone: (888) 686-2224
Provides local support group information
The National Organization for Rare Disorders
Phone:(800) 999-6673
Provides access to a rare disease database that will link to national organizations
Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of MD, VA, and DC
National Office: (800) 926-4797
Provides local referrals and support group information
United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF)
E-mail: dcbaltimore@umdf.org
United Leukodystrophy Foundation
Phone: (815) 895-3211
Abilities Network
Phone Statewide:(800) 492-2523
Provides local support information within the State of Maryland
Sickle Cell Disease Association, Maryland Chapter
Phone: (410) 383-2214
Provides local support group information
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Phone/TTY: (800) 638-8225
Phone/TTY: (301) 897-8682
Provides local chapter information
Metropolitan Stuttering Support Group
Further information available by following the link
Spina Bifida Association
American Heart Association
American Stroke Foundation
Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater Washington
Phone: (877) 295-2148
(301) 681-4133
email: tsagw@aol.com
Provides local support group information
Brain Injury Association of Maryland
Phone: (800) 221-6443 or (410) 448-2924
Provides local support group information
Calvert County Brain Injury Support Group
Contact: Diane
Phone: (410) 586-1482 or (410) 535-5467
Chesapeake Rehabilitation Support Group
Eastern Shore
Phone: (800) 938-4600
Call for further information
Development Services Group, Inc. Brain Injury Group Support (BIGS)
Howard County
Phone: (410) 381-7171
Call for further information
Fredrick Head Injury Support Group
Phone: (301) 694-8452 or (301) 698-3137
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, West Patrick Street off of Rt. 15.
Additional social gatherings held once a month. Call for further information.
Head Injury Support Group
Prince George's County
Phone: (301) 618-2790
Location: Prince George's Hospital Center, Case Management Conference Center, 3rd Floor.
Call for further information.
Headway Support Group
Washington County
Phone: (301) 790-8150 or (301) 790-8382
Location: Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 102.
Call for further information.
Support Group for Survivors and Families
Anne Arundel County
Phone: (410) 280-8600
Call for further information
Upper Chesapeake Support Group
Harford County
Phone: (410) 399-4748
Call for further information |
