Social/Emotional Group for Teens - ASD/Aspergers
Meets Saturdays from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Engages teenagers and encourages them to practice emotional regulation, constructive coping skills, conflict resolution, and self-awareness. Combines role-play, psycho-education, and peer sharing to create a safe environment for teenagers that isolate emotionally or ...
Hosted by Claire Fajardo Belcher
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Nashville, TN 37220
Meets Saturdays from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Engages teenagers and encourages them to practice emotional regulation, constructive coping skills, conflict resolution, and self-awareness. Combines role-play, psycho-education, and peer sharing to create a safe environment for teenagers that isolate emotionally or ...
Late Identified Autistic Support Group
This group is for adults who have learned about being Autistic later in life. You may have come to this realization though a professional diagnosis or a self-discovery; both are welcome. You are also welcome if you are in the ...
Hosted by Rayne Satterfield, LCSW: The Self-Care Spot
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Murfreesboro, TN 37130
This group is for adults who have learned about being Autistic later in life. You may have come to this realization though a professional diagnosis or a self-discovery; both are welcome. You are also welcome if you are in the ...
ASD Support and Process Group
This is an adult, in person support and process group for individuals diagnosed with or who suspect diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It will be a safe place to meet, connect with, and process with other adults on the spectrum. ...
Hosted by Rachel Hammons
Counselor, MA, LPCMHSP, NCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Nashville, TN 37212
This is an adult, in person support and process group for individuals diagnosed with or who suspect diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. It will be a safe place to meet, connect with, and process with other adults on the spectrum. ...
Neurodivergent Sensory and Emotional Regulation
A 6-week group focused on understanding your sensory and emotional needs. This group is facilitated by a Neurodivergent (ND) therapist, who prioritizes the ND experience. During this group, you'll learn strategies to manage overstimulation, regulate your nervous system, and balance ...
Hosted by Rayne Satterfield, LCSW: The Self-Care Spot
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Murfreesboro, TN 37130
A 6-week group focused on understanding your sensory and emotional needs. This group is facilitated by a Neurodivergent (ND) therapist, who prioritizes the ND experience. During this group, you'll learn strategies to manage overstimulation, regulate your nervous system, and balance ...
Unmasking Together: Autistic Women Support Group
Unmasking together is not a therapy group, but an educational support group for recently diagnosed and self-diagnosed Autistic women*. This group is meant to teach you more about your autistic brain, while giving you opportunities to support and be supported ...
Hosted by Nick Barajas
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MHSP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Knoxville, TN 37917
Unmasking together is not a therapy group, but an educational support group for recently diagnosed and self-diagnosed Autistic women*. This group is meant to teach you more about your autistic brain, while giving you opportunities to support and be supported ...
Parent Support Group
Reflections Counseling Group is hosting a parenting support group for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with Autism. This support group is a closed group lasting 7 weeks.
Hosted by Kevilynn L Gatson
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MHSP, AS
Verified Verified
Group meets in Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Reflections Counseling Group is hosting a parenting support group for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with Autism. This support group is a closed group lasting 7 weeks.
Lego Club
Lego Club
Hosted by The Therapuetic Studio, LLC
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Franklin, TN 37064
Lego Club
Teen Social Skills Group
Ideal for Teens 15 and up. Teen Social Skills Group for Teenagers on the Spectrum or those who are having trouble reintegrating socially after isolation from Covid. Coping skills, social skills, and recognizing social cues will be addressed in the ...
Hosted by Jen Nicole Gray
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MHSP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Knoxville, TN 37923
Ideal for Teens 15 and up. Teen Social Skills Group for Teenagers on the Spectrum or those who are having trouble reintegrating socially after isolation from Covid. Coping skills, social skills, and recognizing social cues will be addressed in the ...
Parents/Caregivers' Support Group
Opportunity to gather support from other caregivers as you face challenges with your family members. This is held on an equine facility and interaction with horses is available.
Hosted by Carlin Giles Healing Pastures Llc
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPCMHSP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Madison, TN 37115
Opportunity to gather support from other caregivers as you face challenges with your family members. This is held on an equine facility and interaction with horses is available.
Neurodivergent Young Adults
This group is for 19-24 year olds with some type of neurodiversity (e.g. ASD, ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, etc.). Group members can expect to show up, be themselves, build strengths, connect with others, and learn and practice new skills. Goals are ...
Hosted by Megan Kelley Witty
Pre-Licensed Professional, MEd
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chattanooga, TN 37415
This group is for 19-24 year olds with some type of neurodiversity (e.g. ASD, ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, etc.). Group members can expect to show up, be themselves, build strengths, connect with others, and learn and practice new skills. Goals are ...
Kids Social Skills Group
Ideal for ages 5-8. Kids Social Skills Group for children who are on the Spectrum or who are struggling to reintegrate socially after isolation from Covid. Coping skills, social skills, and recognizing social cues will be addressed in the curriculum ...
Hosted by Jen Nicole Gray
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MHSP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Knoxville, TN 37923
Ideal for ages 5-8. Kids Social Skills Group for children who are on the Spectrum or who are struggling to reintegrate socially after isolation from Covid. Coping skills, social skills, and recognizing social cues will be addressed in the curriculum ...
Teletherapy-Parents of Children with Special Needs
Parenthood is a challenge. For everyone. But when your child has special needs that challenge can feel overwhelming. Kids with special needs require more: more attention, more care, more patience, just more. Sometimes parents feel alone, like your situation is ...
Hosted by Forward Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LPC, PMHNP, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Memphis, TN 38117
Parenthood is a challenge. For everyone. But when your child has special needs that challenge can feel overwhelming. Kids with special needs require more: more attention, more care, more patience, just more. Sometimes parents feel alone, like your situation is ...
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Autism Support Groups
What is the most effective treatment for autism?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has come to be considered the standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, and research has confirmed its effectiveness for many children. Therapists trained in ABA techniques work with children (and their parents) on developing social skills, communication and learning abilities, and everyday habits of hygiene and grooming. The clinician will tailor their program to the child’s particular need but the overarching goal will be to help them advance as far as possible toward independence based on their level of symptoms and decrease the need for additional special services. Families should seek a mental health professional specifically trained in ABA, and holding special certification in the technique, who has extensive experience not only with the approach but in using it with children with the same level of symptoms as the child who needs care.
How does ABA work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions, which typically focus on positive reinforcement, can be intensive, lasting two or more hours several times a week, and continuing for two years or more. Therapists can also be expected to ask parents to take an active role in reinforcing lessons. Research has found that the technique can lead to major improvements that decrease the need for additional special services.
How does treatment for autism work?
Therapy sessions based on Applied Behavior Analysis will likely be frequent, intensive, and highly structured. After a thorough assessment, a therapist will help a child understand and develop skills in a range of areas, including communication, motor skills, social skills, self-care, play, and academic skills, as well as routines of daily living like hygiene. Typically, the therapist will help a child break down the components of a behavior—often referred to as the antecedent (what prompts an action), the behavior, and the consequence(what immediately follows)—and then reward the child at every step, while also asking parents to reinforce the lessons, and the rewards, throughout the day. This core therapy may be supplemented by occupational or speech therapy, and antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed to address specific severe symptoms.
How long does therapy for autism take?
Some people with autism spectrum disorder may be engaged in some level of therapy for many years, but research shows that treatment will be most effective if it is begun early and delivered intensively. When therapy begins by age 3, children tend to be better able to grasp and adopt the skills needed to manage everyday life, including attending school and establishing social relationships. This type of early-intervention treatment regimen is highly structured, typically involving 20 to 40 hours of one-on-one therapy per week, along with additional hours of engagement managed by parents, for a period of two years or more, although the duration of treatment is dependent on the child’s level of symptoms and pace of progress.