The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) knows it can be challenging to find a community where individuals with autism and their families and caregivers can gather, feel accepted, and find belonging. Thatās why ASNC has established Support Groups in 80 counties across North Carolina. These groups provide opportunities for members of our autism community to know each other, find person-to-person and family-to-family support, and share their journey with those who have been on a similar path.
The who, what, where of Support Groups
Each Support Group has its own Support Group Specialist in addition to volunteers who act as Support Group Leaders and Support Group Hosts. ASNC Support Groups are open to all with no membership applications, no fees, and no attendance requirements. Each group has its own unique and community-driven focus reflecting the needs and interests of its members. Many Support Group activities are planned in conjunction with community partners like local restaurants, churches, schools, and colleges, to help build community and increase autism awareness. Support Group activities can vary widely but always with a goal of providing a variety of events and experiences to engage and support everyone in the group.
“Each group has its own unique and community-driven focus reflecting the needs and interests of its members.”
Members of the Support Groups team.
In 2023, Meet-Ups were introduced to ASNCās Support Groups. Designed to be social in nature, most Meet-Ups are pay-your-own-way events that can be age specific or interest specific. They do not distinguish functioning level, and they provide social connections among groups with similar experiences or interests (i.e., newly diagnosed families, teen/tweens, autistic adults, etc.) Activities can range from fun family events like Popsicles in the Park to informational and educational training like an ASNC Conference Recap to social opportunities for autistic adults with food and games at a local brewery.
Get connected
- Find a Support Group in your area or check out more about Support Groups by visiting our Support Groups page.
- Learn how to start a Support Group near you by emailing Support Groups Coordinator Marty Kellogg atĀ mkellogg@autismsociety-nc.org.
- Visit our calendar page to register for a Support Groups Volunteer Interest meeting.
Support Groups by the numbers
Across the state of North Carolina there are
- 66 Support Groups
- 11 Hispanic Support Groups
- 1 Campus Club Network/Group
- 1 Affiliate Group
- 70 Volunteer Support Group Leaders