Support Groups
AuSM provides a variety of support groups to meet the needs of parents, children, family members, individuals, couples and more. Support groups offer those affected by autism the opportunity to share problems, solutions, joy, and sorrows with one another. Advance registration is required.
For the foreseeable future, no AuSM Support Groups will be meeting in person. Please RSVP to support group using the forms linked below.
Please make sure you review our Support Group Guidelines before attending.
AuSM Premier Partners Accra, Best Care, and Minnesota Independence College and Community generously sponsor our Support Groups.
AuSM Women’s Support Group
Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder gather to discuss challenges, strategies, and topics unique to being a woman on the spectrum. This group is held virtually only.
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
2025 Dates: Jan. 2, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug. 7, Sep. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4
Click here to RSVP for a session.
AuSM LGBTQIA Support Group
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who identify as LGBTQIA gather to discuss topics related to the intersection of autism and gender/sexuality. This group is held virtually only.
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
2025 Dates: Jan. 9, Feb. 13, Mar. 13, Apr. 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sep. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11
Click here to RSVP for a session.
AuSM Independent Adults with ASD Support Group
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder gather in this typically larger group to support each other, socialize, and discuss common interests and concerns. This group is held virtually only.
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
2025 Dates: Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, Aug. 28, Sep. 25, Oct. 23, No group in November or December due to the holidays
Click here to RSVP for a session.
AuSM Family Members of Adults on the Spectrum Support Group
Parents, caregivers, and other family members of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (18+) gather to discuss challenges, triumphs, and strategies for support. This group is held virtually only.
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
2025 Dates: Jan. 16, Feb. 20, Mar. 20, No group in April due to the Minnesota Autism Conference, May 15, No group in June due to the Juneteenth holiday, July 17, Aug. 21, Sep. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 18
Click here to RSVP for a session.
Community Support Groups
AuSM has partnered with community organizations through our Family-to-Family Grant to offer support groups in cultural minorities in Minnesota.
Centro Tyrone Guzman
New to partnership with AuSM in 2024, we have learned that Centro already provides a multitude of wrap around resources for Latine and Spanish-speaking families in Minnesota. Centro is working to build autism awareness and community connectivity into their existing program themes, including early education, maternal and child heath, wise elders, and teen programs. Centro is one of two new groups focused on Latine identity, with another to be announced in 2025.
Centro is developing a support group for Latine parents of autistic children. Please contact them if you or your family are interested and would like to be notified of upcoming sessions.
Email: infocenter@centromn.org. Phone: 612.874.1412.
Maangaar Global
Coined in support of the Somali community’s emerging translation for “autism”, Maangaar rounds out AuSM’s work in Somali-focused partnerships in 2024. Maangaar provides parent education and connection for families of all ages, with a pronounced focus on acceptance and compassion for multiply marginalized families. Maangaar has hosted a number of community conversations, some accessible and intimate, and others large and integrated with many of Minnesota’s mainstream stakeholders, who continue to reach out to our collaborative for feedback and leadership. Maangaar Global is hosting a support group for Somali parents that will provide a space to build community and an opportunity to connect with other parents of autistic children, which meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you are interested, please contact us and we will add you to the groupchat for parents where we post the link for the meeting and any announcements.
Email: a.musa@maangaarglobal.org. Phone: 469.995.4424.
SEWA-AIFW
SEWA, translated as “to serve” in Hindi, is a Minnesota organization focused on support for the unmet needs of the Indian diaspora and South Asian immigrant and refugee communities. SEWA has a long recognized stance on neurodiversity affirmation, and has been generating new community building opportunities alongside its many other programs that promote Total Family Wellness. SEWA and AuSM are working on building resources to be released in Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati languages, addressing autism identity and support strategies that also address community stigma. SEWA is hosting a support group for South Asian parents of autistic children. This group meets every third Saturday of the month from 3-5 p.m. at 6645 James Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you have questions, please contact SEWA.
Email: Ratna@sewa-aifw.org. Phone: 763.205.9873.
Somali Parent Autism Network (SPAN)
In addition to service navigation for Somali families, SPAN is well known for leveraging their broader Somali community connections to leverage anti-stigma work across multiple venues. With ties to popular community mosques, businesses, and immigrant advocacy groups, SPAN adds multiple dimensions of mission advancement, as well as Greater Minnesota reach in other growing Somali locales around the state: Rochester, Wilmar, and St. Cloud to name a few. SPAN provides a virtual support group for Somali Parents and caretakers of children with autism. For additional information, contact SPAN and request to be added to their Whatsapp page.
Phone: 763.657.0049.
Upcoming Support Group Dates:
01/10/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
02/14/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
03/14/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
04/11/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
05/09/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
06/13/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
07/11/25: 7-8:30 pm CDT
Click here to join the Zoom meeting for support groups.