Parent and Caregiver Support

As parents and caregivers, you have been chosen by God to bring His unconditional love to your child with special needs. Your child is a gift. We know that you need the love of God and your church community to embrace you and your child.  We, your church want to help you with this journey in life. We encourage you to talk to a priest, deacon, parish council members, or your parish advocate for disabilities to discuss ways to serve the needs of you and your family.

Here are resources to begin that support:

Website. Deacon Mike Quinn, the father of 4 adopted children with disabilities requiring total care daily has chosen to minister to parents and caregivers by designing  this site  to offer personal encouragement and support. Visit www.wnyreligion.net  then select “parents and caregivers of people with disabilities”.  This site includes:

These are not faith based supports, but we recognize that God gives us the gift of each other to share in our ministry. You as parents need the love and support of others.  We hope you will attend and find strength in these groups.

Parent Network is an organization that provides current, relevant and comprehensive information to parents/caregivers who have children with special needs. They offer outreach to parents with seminars and training sessions and resource materials. Visit www.paretnnetworkwny.org

Parent to Parent of NY State offers telephone support through Lorraine Blum at (716) 517-3448 for all counties in our Diocese. Visit www.parenttoparentnys.org 

Pioneer parent support groups meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30am at the Burger King in Yorkshire .  Call (716) 492-0240 for information.

Parent Support Groups in the Western New York Community for:

Asperger’s Disorder  parent support group meets the first Monday of each month at Summit Educational Resources, 150 Stahl Road , Getzville , NY 14068 from 7 to 8:30pm call Mary Pat Sperrazza at 629-3445.  

ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder)  support group for parents of children with ADD and adults with ADD meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 9pm in the Orchard Park Library, 4570 South Buffalo Road , Orchard Park .  Contact Danielle Tabone at 667-3411.

Apraxia or Dyspraxia support group meets the third Wednesday of the month from 6 -9pm at Temple  Beth Am at 4660 Sheridan Drive , Williamsville. Visit www.wnyapraxia.org.

Autism 

A Southtowns parent support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Chapel Park Villa Head Start at 7pm, e-mail Gail at duffonthelake@aol.com or call 947-0085 to confirm.  

Family Support for parents in Erie and Niagara County   meets once a month.  Call (716) 825-1353 for information.

High Functioning Autism/Asperger’s support group at Autistic Services, 4444 Bryant Stratton Way , Williamsville on the third Thursday of each month.  Contact veronica@autisticservices.org

Behavioral, social or emotional Issues

In Niagara County , parent support groups for parents of children with social, emotional or behavioral issues meet in Niagara Falls , Lockport and North Tonawanda .  Call (716) 433-4487 for information.

Brain Injury support groups

Peer support group for mild to moderate injury every Monday at 7pm at 856 Ridge Road
Peer support group meets the last Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8pm at 856 Ridge Rd.
Family and Caregiver Support meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8pm at 865 Ridge Road
TBI clubhouse(Social Meetings) are held the first and third Tuesday at 6pm at Aspire, 7 Community Drive , Cheektowaga
Southtowns Family Support Group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm at Sterling Medical Center , 200 Sterling Drive in Orchard Park , call (716) 824-1761(after 4)

Neonatal brain injury support is offered by Parents’ Link.  Call (716) 774-0027.

Developmental Disabilities support group for families (Family Support Consumer Council) for Western New York , call (716) 649-3374 for information.

Disabilities

In Niagara County :A youth group for 14-21 year olds meets the second and fourth Friday    Young Adults meet the second Monday of the month Deaf Group meets the third Wednesday

All are sponsored by the Niagara Frontier Center for Independent Living at 1522 Main Street in Niagara Falls .  Call (716) 284-2452 for information.

Parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 5 meet monthly at 25 Chateau Terrace in Amherst . Email info@bornhava.org or call (716) 839-1655

Support for families of children with special needs 0 to 5 provided by Early Childhood Detention Center . E-mail vrubin@kaleidahealth.org

Down syndrome

Parent groups meets monthly at Cleveland Hill Elementary School Cafeteria for more information visit, www.dspgwny.org

In Cattaraugus County, parent support is offered on a one to one.  Call (716) 372-9401 for more information. 

Learning Disabilities

In Chautauqua County , support groups are held monthly for ADD, Autism, Adults at 1Park Place, Suite 248 in Fredonia.  Call (716) 679-1601 for information.

Adults with Learning Disabilities meet monthly at 2355 Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore Call (716) 284-2452 for information. 

Support group for parents of children with nonverbal learning disabilities meets at the Jewish Community Center at 2640 N. Forest Road in Getzville. E-mail kaefe1313@aol.com.

PKU Parent and Family Support groups meets throughout WNY. Call (716) 838-3452 for information.

Spina Bifida Parent and family support group meets monthly at Northwoods Medical Center , Robinson Road , Amherst .  Visit www.sbawny.org or call (716) 446-5595

Spinal Muscular Atrophy support for families of children with SMA provided by WNY Chapter for Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. E-mail wny@fsma.org for information.

Tourette Syndrome

Adult rap group
Children’s Rap group
Adolescent Recreation group
Chapter meetings

All offered by WNY Chapter Tourette Syndrome Association.  Call (716) 839-4430 for information

Mom's Only:

For mothers of children and young adults with physical disabilities, and also for young adult & adult women with physical disabilities.  All are informal gatherings where we share ideas, concerns, and life!  All events are pay your own way.

Monday, February 25^th Walden Galleria Mall, Food Court and Community Room
5:30 - 6:30 - food court dinner (pay your own way)
6:30 Guest Speaker in the Community Room
The Communtiy Room is located upstairs in the Food Court Restroom area
Lisa Allen, Special Needs Attorneywill speak to us about Guardianships and Special Needs Trusts
RSVP please to Chris at 685-3976.

Tuesday March 25^th Dessert at Butterwoods Williamsville 7:00 PM   (pay your own way)     Come and have a cup of coffee and some amazing desserts at Butterwoods on Main St. in Williamsville! 5409 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221  http://www.butterwooddesserts.com/nightclubs.asp#williamsville

Wednesday, April 30^th Spa Nite!
Book a facial, manicure, pedicure, massage, and/or hair treatment while we catch up and enjoy Free wine    & cheese!  Pay your own way - prices on their website.  Call Chris 685-3976 now to schedule - as the times     fill up fast! at The Spa at Falling Waters, Orchard Park, 3385 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127 http://www.spaatfallingwaters.com/spa_tour.php3