ASO Region 2
Coronavirus Update: Each of our Support/Social Groups are deciding when or whether to return to in person meetings based on what the group prefers. Please contact each group for the most up-to-date information.
Serving Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Harney, Jefferson, Sherman, and Wheeler counties; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Counties
Chapter Representatives:
We are currently looking for volunteer chapter reps to help families in Region 2 with local supports. If you would be interested please contact info@autismsocietyoregon.org or call 503-636-1676 for more information.
If you have a question, comment, or concern that you’d like to share with us, please GIVE US A CALL or use the form at the bottom of this page to send us an email.
ASO-Sponsored Support Groups – Virtual Meetings:
These groups are currently meeting on-line:
Friendship Group for Autistic Kids (suggested ages: 7 – 13): Meets Every Monday, from 6:00pm – 6:45pm. A place to meet, get to know each other, be silly, explore common interests, and make friends. On alternating Monday meetings, the group plays Minecraft. This group is meeting on-line, with occasional in person meetups. To register and get a Zoom link, please go to LINK.
ASO/Synergy Autism Online Support Group Meeting for Parents: Meets 4th Saturday each month, from 10:00 – 11:30am. Our on-line group for parents of children (birth-adult) on the autism spectrum living in Oregon. This group is facilitated by Barbara Avila, MS, of Synergy Autism Center. Cozy up with a morning beverage and your computer! The group looks at a different topic each month including self-care, safety considerations, understanding your child’s processing, social engagement and challenging your child productively. To register and get the Zoom link, please go to LINK.
New Autistic Parents Parenting Group (online) – Meets every other Thursday from 1:30-2:30 PM, starting on Aug 29th, 2024. This support group is for autistic parents. Our aim is to create a supportive space where you can share your experiences, challenges, and insights as autistic individuals raising children. Register at LINK HERE. For questions, email LoriB@AutismSocietyOregon.org or call 503-636-1676.
(Online) Support and Discussion Group for Autistic Adults, ages 18+. Meets online every Thursday, from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. We would like to hold space for Autistic adults in Oregon who want to meet and talk with other adults about life on the spectrum. We will be reviewing books, talking about neurodiversity, and openly talking about life on the spectrum in general. Facilitated by Shawn Sullivan, an Autistic adult and ASO Board member (See bio at LINK). This group is temporarily full and not accepting more participants at this time. If you have registered previously you are still welcome to attend. If you have never registered for the group, please contact us to be placed on a waitlist at info@AutismSocietyOregon.org or call 503-636-1676.
New (Online) Support and Discussion Group for Autistic Adults – Tuesday Edition, age 18+ Meets online every Tuesday, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Due to the popularity of the Thursday night group, we’ve opened this version that meets as a separate group on Tuesday evenings. The purpose of this group is to cultivate a safe, affirming space to process and discuss what it’s like to be autistic in the world. This is a peer support group facilitated by Rae (he/him), an Autistic person. This group is a stand alone support group. Click here to REGISTER. For more information contact Lori Ball at LoriB@autismsocietyoregon.org or 503-636-1676.
New (Online) Intersectional Identity Group – Support and Discussion Group for Autistic Adults with Intersectional Identities, age 18+ Meets online every Wednesday, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The purpose of this group is to cultivate a safe space to process and discuss what it’s like to have an intersectional autistic identity in the world (e.g., autistic people who are also: trans, people of color, queer, gender queer, assigned female at birth, etc). Please note, this is not to assume that we will all understand each other’s experience, but that we do understand having an intersectional identity comes with extra complexities. This is a peer support group facilitated by an Autistic Trans and Queer person. Click here to REGISTER. For more information contact Lori Ball at LoriB@autismsocietyoregon.org or 503-636-1676.
Teen & Young Adult Club – This group meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1-2 PM online. The program is for young Autistic adults that need a parent, a guardian or caregiver to meet with success, and some of the activities may require participation from the accompanying adult. Register for the zoom link at LINK HERE. This group is led by Danitza Galvan who has a Master’s Degree in Early Intervention/Special Education and who is the parent of a young Autistic adult. For questions or more info, call us at 503-636-1676 or email LoriB@AutismSocietyOregon.org.
Autism Parent Support Group (based in Durham/Tigard): Free! All parents of children from 0-21 are welcome. Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30. This group is facilitated by Lori Ball, ASO’s Programs Coordinator and parent of an autistic child. To register and get the Zoom link, please go to LINK.
Autistic Professional Support Group: Meets Every Other Friday, from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, starting Sept 22 2023. This support group provides a welcoming community for Autistic adults employed in professional positions to meet and share experiences. The group offers an overall sense of belonging, group mentorship, social connection and networking. At each meeting there will be a guided topic to start the conversation which can lead to bigger discussions. This group is led by Dan Dickinson, an Autistic adult who works in a mid-level professional position. This group is for Autistic, career focused individuals who hold mid to senior level positions and/or a position with at least 2 years of experience in their field. If you are unsure if this describes you, please contact us to discuss and we’ll figure it out. Contact the ASO office at 503-636-1676 or Click to Email. To register and get a Zoom link, please go to LINK.
“Happy Hour” for Autistic adults: This time is to chat, support each other and forge new friendships. Meetings are the 4th Friday of each month, from 7:30 – 8:30pm. An Autistic run social group for Autistic adults age 40+. For questions or more information contact: Rhonda at RhondaS@AutismSocietyOregon.org, an ASO Chapter Rep in Southern Oregon. Or call our office at 503-636-1676. Click the LINK HERE to register.
Young Adult Social Group (based in Portland). This is a peer-led group for young adults, ages 18-30, who have graduated from high school. Sorry but this group is not open to people younger than 18. There are 2 group consultants who are there to provide a level of social safety by mediating conflict and supporting participants to make connections. NOT a skill building class. Meets 2nd Saturday and 3rd Monday of each month, from 6:30-7:30pm. To sign up, email Pam S at pamsmith.business@gmail.com.
Women and Non-Binary Friendship Group for Those on the Autism Spectrum (based in Portland) Meets on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month, from 3:30-5:00pm. For female-identifying and non-binary Autistic people, ages 18 and up, looking for an accepting environment in which to hangout with other female-identifying or non-binary Autistic adults. Come chat, relax, or just chill. Participate in great discussions and/or activities (or not) of your choosing! This group is temporarily full and not accepting more participants at this time. To be placed on a waitlist, please contact ASO at info@AutismSocietyOregon.org or call 503-636-1676.
Women & Non-Binary Friendship Group #2. Meets online only every other Sunday, from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, starting Sunday, March 24, 2024. For female-identifying and non-binary Autistic people, ages 18 and up, looking for an accepting environment in which to hangout with other female-identifying or non-binary Autistic adults. Come chat, relax, or just chill. Participate in great discussions and/or activities (or not) of your choosing! This group is facilitated by Erika Kraft, an Autistic adult who identifies as nonbinary. To register for the online only group, call 503-636-1676 or email LoriB@AutismSocietyOregon.org.
Other Support Groups & Activities:
CODSN (Central Oregon Disability Support Network) has several support groups for anyone who experiences disability or their loved ones. For information, see www.CODSN.org. All activities are FREE.
Central Oregon Autism Movement (COAM):
- Monthly Moms Support Group – Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6 – 8 pm. Come join us for an evening of laughs and fun with moms who get how hard it can be to raise a child or adult with special needs. Make a little time for yourself and to be yourself. Location is different each month. Call Melissa Romo at 541-419-1064 or email her at melissar.coam@gmail.com.
- Sensory Friendly Swim Event – The date changes each month & can be found on the COAM calendar linked here, taking place from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Cascade Swim Center, Redmond. Free, with dinner provided. Please RSVP as space is limited. Call Melissa Romo at 541-419-1064 or email her at melissar.coam@gmail.com.
- On-line Support Group – Central Oregon Autism Movement. A private group on Facebook. “A group for active COAM families and individuals in Central Oregon. It is a safe place to post stories/articles about autism or ask questions.”. Contact them at https://www.facebook.com/groups/910426539295624
Online Support Groups:
Grandparent Support Group – Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10-11 am & the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6-7 pm. “We cover topics such as boundaries, trauma, parenting, grief, and more. Grandparents and other caregivers of relative children are welcome.” For more information, call 833-201-5557. Online: meet.google.com/swz-uorx-jkj Phone: +1 314-666-1828 PIN: 291 586 204#. Presented by Oregon Kinship Navigator, a statewide program to help grandparents and other relatives raising children to find resources to support their caregiving efforts. For their mailing list, sign up at https://forms.gle/gmY4VGo1YAgqtDvk7.
Charla entre padres en linea – Nos reunimos cada segundo miércoles de cada mes puedes unirte entre las 6:00 pm a 8:00 pm. Tiene preguntas? Contacte a Rosa Belem Ochoa! Para español: (541) 414-4958 – rosa@bcoregon.org. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm over Zoom. A way for parents across the state to connect and share in Spanish. Contact Rosa Belem Ochoa for the Meeting ID at (541) 414-4958.