Looking for a Support Group for Moms

B.-

I don't know much about support groups in the area, but you could perhaps check out frcd.org. This is a parent-to-parent organization that teaches parents how to advocate for their children with disabilities throughout their education and deal with transition when that time comes (a long way off, I know). There are also some good links on the site to PACERS and some other organizations that may be able to give you info, groups, etc. locally. My brother has developmental disabilities so I've been exposed to a lot of these resources as a sib instead of as a parent. But I do think that some of the early education sites and orgs could give you some desired resources.

HI. I'm sorry I don't have a referral to a support gorup, but I also have a child that had developmental delays (PDD) and have quite a few resources in teh western suburbs. Also, I'd be toally willing to talk and to refer doctors,and therapists, etc. Let me know if this would help you.

R.

Definitely contact your pediatrician and you local Easter Seals. They will get you with Child and Family Connections which offers services through Early Intervention and they also have parent groups for support. It is a lot of work and stuff to go through but well worth it. You may already be in contact with them, I have foudn several parents witih special needs kids are not aware of services out there so I hope this helps.

Hi-
Are you getting any services for your child through early intervention? If so, ask your service coordinator for your parent liaison contact info. Often, the parent liaison can point you in the direction of a parent support group or other parents who would like to share. If not, call and refer your child. The number is 1-800-323-GROW. They work from parent referrals, and will come out and evaluate your child for services on a sliding scale. The only other place that may be of interest to you is Gigi'g Playhouse on Golf Road in either Schaumburg or Hoffman Estates. It was started by a mother whose daughter has Downe's syndrome, but I don't believe it is exclusive to parents and children with Downe's. I'm actually waiting to get info on a parent group in my school district because my son will be transitioning at 3 this summer. Good luck, and let me know if there's anything else I can do.

Hi B.,

I am a nurse and I work for a place called CoACH House. It's a wonderful house in Naperville that cares for medically fragile children with special needs. We not only take care of kids in Transition (not ready for home for whatever reason yet not sick enough to be in the hospital), we take care of Respite kids (parents need a break, kids need a break from parents, etc.). It's actually a house and it's on 2.5 acres of beautiful land. It's a kids paradise. They must have some medical necessity to qualify. We also have free monthly parent support groups and there is a seminar upcoming with Dr. Ken Moses that is most excellent for parents of special needs children (there is a small charge for this particular one). It's called Childhood Disability, Shattered Dreams and Hope: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals who Work with Them.
Anyway...you can find all kinds of info about the place and take a virtual ____@____.com
Let me know if I can support you further!
Hugs,
J. B., RN
Life Coach :)
____@____.com