How to Start a Special Needs Support Group

Starting a special needs support group for yourself or a family member with a medical special need or condition can be a rewarding experience. You can help both yourself and others at the same time. If the group continues for an extended period of time, it can change the lives of many who join it. Many groups are started with the initiative of only one dedicated individual, but asking others to help with the leadership duties as soon as possible may help to ensure its survival.

Things You'll Need

• Time
• A location to meet (a library, park, or coffee shop may do)
• Resources/networks to publicize the group
• Leadership for the group (may be a core of 1-5 people)
• Topics to discuss

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify the special need of the group you want to support, whether it be parents of autistic children or breast cancer survivors. If there are places where these people would naturally congregate--a doctor's office or a school for children with special needs--ask if you can put up a flyer with contact information for the group you intend to form. You can also publicize the group on www.meetup.com or post an advertisement on craigslist.org for your city.

• 2

  Form a group of 5 to 10 people who have contacted you and told you of their available meeting times. Then, suggest a meeting time and location that is convenient for everyone, such as a local coffee shop on a weekday evening.

• 3

  Determine a meeting agenda for the first meeting. It may be sufficient to simply have people introduce themselves and state what they are hoping to gain from forming the support group, and what they can offer in return.

• 4

  Make sure someone is available to run each meeting. If the group has fewer than 10 people, formal leadership may not be needed; however, one person may wish to volunteer as a general coordinator for each meeting. Group members may also invite guest speakers to further educate and encourage each other. For larger groups, ask for dedicated volunteers to help with publicity, refreshments and other needed duties.

• 5

  Ask the group members to email each other their attendance plans for each meeting so that it can be canceled if needed.