The table below lists the 50 States, Puerto Rico and Canada, with room for groups from other countries. If I'm aware of support in an area the "click-on" link will be active. If there is no group or I do not have information, the link will not work. If you have information on a local group which is not listed, please send an e-mail to bkirby@udel.edu
If you are looking for a group and one does not exist in your area, please consider starting one. For more information on how to start a group please click Here.
| LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS: Click on a Name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia |
| Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa |
| Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
| Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont |
| Virginia | Washington | Washington, D.C. | West Virgina | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | Puerto Rico | CANADA | Support | Groups |
The majority of the existing local groups were started very recently by parents or individuals and it really doesn't require a great deal of expertise. Some groups are highly organized, but others meet once a month at local bookstores or restaurants. You can place an ad in your local paper, post notice in local physicians offices, contact your school district, or place a note on your local grocery store bulletin board.
You also can contact me via OASIS and I would be more than happy to list your group (or notice that a group is forming) on this site. You will need to find a meeting spot. Public libraries, churches, meeting rooms at local malls are all possible options. Or you can schedule an intial meeting a local resturant or coffee house.
Once you've found a meeting spot, posted notice, and picked a time to meet, the first meeting should be organizational. The members can have input into what you'd like to be.
Since most of the local support groups were started by parents, most groups are very happy to share what they've learned. If you'd like to be put in touch with other groups please let me know and I'd be happy to help. Send me an e-mail at bkirby@udel.edu
These groups, like the O.A.S.I.S. web page, are classic examples of "build it and they will come."
Home to O.A.S.I.S.