Social & Recreation (Parents/Family Members)

Chapter of the Autism Society of America.

Offers support and information for families from diagnosis to adulthood through family support, seminars, community training and social opportunities for those affected with ASD. They also hold monthly parent support groups.

Offers a summer camp called S.T.A.R. (Students Together Achieving Respect), that serves all individuals with any type of disability. Camp is staffed with intervention specialists, a movement specialist and college interns. It blends academic, recreational and social skills lessons to promote individual camper growth. The camp is for individuals aged 3 to 22. Offers ESY opportunities as well.

Connecting for Kids is a nonprofit with a mission to provide education and support to families with concerns about their child. They serve families in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties with children younger than 13 years of age.

They have hands-on family training programs, music therapy classes, in addition to several different kinds of family support programs and groups.

Offers include respite services; speech and language therapy; and in-home respite care. There are also summer camps for children with disabilities in Alliance and Ashtabula.

For children younger than 3, Easter Seals offers speech and language therapy.

Read this document for further information about Easter Seals’ services.

During the summer, HEART offers programs for parents as well as help with referrals and resources.

SibShop groups for sibling support are available year-round as requested. Open to residents of Medina and surrounding counties.

JFSA is guided by traditional Jewish values of communal responsibility and social justice. They offer several programs to assist teens and adults with disabilities with residential services, employment services, community inclusion, and family advocacy.

The Horvitz YouthAbility program offers volunteering and job training opportunities for disabled and at-risk youth and young adults.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services help people prepare for employment based on their skills and interests.
Adult Day Program offers group and individual day respite activities.

Use this website as a master contact list for libraries within the state of Ohio. The list is organized by county and city.
At your local library, there are opportunities for classes and social opportunities for people of all ages.

Classes that teach American Sign Language (ASL) to all ages, from babies and children to adults. They offer classes for babies and children up to age 12, and offer workshops for adults in professional and social arenas.

Sign language is a great way for caregivers and parents to communicate with pre-verbal individuals.For children, it is a wonderful enrichment opportunity.

Supportive network for friends, family and service professionals connected with Autism in Portage County.

Provides information, planned networking events, monthly support group and fun family activities.

Visit the SWAN website or our Event Calendar for upcoming event dates.