Support Group for Parents of Autistic Children
Practical information, honest conversation and connection with parents who understand.
You’re Carrying More Than Most People See
You may be:
Overwhelmed by services, funding programs and unfamiliar acronyms
Tired of repeatedly explaining or defending your child’s needs
Unsure how to advocate at school or in the community
Carrying feelings that are difficult to admit—even to people close to you
Struggling to rest or ask for help without feeling guilty
Navigating relatives who disagree with your parenting
Unsure when, how or with whom to share your child’s diagnosis
Worried about making the right decisions for your family
You do not need another place where you are expected to have all the answers.
Parenting an autistic child can mean learning a new language of assessments, acronyms, funding applications, school meetings and services—while also managing everyone’s opinions about what your child needs.
This group offers a supportive space to make sense of the systems, talk honestly about what you are carrying and connect with parents who are navigating similar experiences.
Supporting the Parent Behind the Advocacy
You are often the advocate, researcher, appointment coordinator and person everyone turns to. This group creates space for you.
It is not a parenting class, and it is not about changing who your child is. It is a therapist-facilitated counselling group designed to help you:
Connect with parents who understand
Make sense of services, funding programs and support options
Strengthen your confidence when advocating
Speak honestly about complicated emotions
Identify what can be shared, simplified or taken off your plate
Practise asking for help and setting boundaries
Make thoughtful decisions about your child’s diagnosis and privacy
Leave with practical resources and a realistic next step
The group is supportive, strengths-based, psychoeducational and neurodiversity-affirming.
Your child deserves to be understood—and so do you.
What We’ll Explore Over Six Weeks
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Meet the group, identify what you hope to gain and create shared expectations for a respectful and supportive space.
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Make sense of common services, funding options and terms such as OAP, IEP, OT, SLP, AAC, ABA, DTC, SSAH and ACSD. Identify existing supports, gaps and one practical next step.
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Talk about the worry, guilt, frustration, sadness, anger, relief, joy and exhaustion that can coexist with loving your child.
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Explore realistic ways to reduce strain, recognize your limits and ask for support—without turning self-care into another item on your list.
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Consider boundaries, belonging, extended-family relationships and decisions about discussing your child’s diagnosis while respecting their privacy and preferences.
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Reflect on what you have learned, identify what you want to release and choose realistic changes and supports to carry forward.
What to Expect
Six weekly sessions
Approximately 90 minutes per session
A small group of 6–10 participants
Guided discussion and reflective activities
Practical information and shared resources
A consistent opening check-in and closing reflection
Permission to pass on any activity or question
Respectful conversation without unsolicited advice
Sharing is always optional. You can participate in the way that feels most comfortable for you.
This group is designed for parents and caregivers of autistic children who want practical information, emotional support and connection with others navigating similar experiences.
Group Details
Format: Virtual
Dates: October 6, 13, 20, 27 & November 3, 10
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Program length: Six weekly sessions
Session length: Approximately 90 minutes
Fee: $25
Facilitators: Stephen Veerasammy (Counselling Intern) & Shannon Gingrich (RP (Qualifying)/Student Therapist) (Supervised by Rina Reddy)
**Advanced registration is required
Meet Your Support Group Facilitators
Counselling Intern | MA in Counselling and Spiritual Care (In Progress)
Steve supports clients navigating anxiety, relationships, life transitions, identity and questions of meaning or purpose. As the parent of an autistic child, he brings personal understanding of advocacy, family dynamics and the complex emotions parents may carry. His approach is thoughtful, compassionate and nonjudgmental, creating space for parents to speak honestly without pressure to have everything figured out.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) | MACP (In Progress)
Shannon has nine years of experience supporting neurodivergent children, adolescents and families. As the parent of an autistic child, she understands the realities of advocacy, navigating services and caregiver strain. Her approach is warm, practical, strengths-based and nonjudgmental. She helps parents identify useful resources and manageable next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If your child is awaiting an assessment or you are unsure whether the group is appropriate, contact us before registering. We can help you determine whether it fits your circumstances.
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No. Discussions and activities are optional, and you may pass whenever you do not feel comfortable sharing.
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Participants will be asked to protect one another’s privacy. Confidentiality, its limits and expectations around discussing group content will be reviewed during the first session.
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No. The group provides counselling, information and peer connection, but it does not replace individualized therapy, crisis care or treatment for your child.
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Yes. If your extended benefits provide coverage for a Registered Psychotherapist, we are able to provide a receipt upon payment of session that the client is able to claim from their provider.
You Don’t Need to Know Everything to Take the Next Step
Come with your questions, mixed emotions and the parts of parenting that other people do not always see. Leave with more clarity, meaningful connections and a more manageable path forward.
Register for the Six Week Group by Contacting Us Today - Still have questions that need answering? Feel free to click the button below to book a free consultation with your facilitators!