Autism Support In South Jersey

Throughout South Jersey, there are a number of programs for children and adults with autism and their families. From medical programs to support groups, the South Jersey area provides many resources to help parents understand the needs of their child with autism, information about behavior programs, and social groups for children and adults with autism. We have compiled a list of some of these local programs for parents, children and adults living with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism Society Southwest New Jersey
This organization in Mount Laurel is a support group that offers free events and activities for parents of children with autism and provides educational programs, options for treatment, and information about legal rights. Parent support group meetings, website access, communication with members through a Yahoo! newsgroup, and networking are included with the free membership. There are events such as movies and hayrides and family activities that run all year long as well to encourage new communication between members.
solvingthepuzzle.com
Autism Society SW New Jersey Affiliate 532
10 Shadow Oak Court, Mount Laurel
(856) 278-0798

Gloucester Township Kids Social Skills/Playgroup
The Gloucester County Special Services Education Foundation offers Social Skills groups that are provided to improve student's abilities to interact with one another in a structured and safe environment. The group is offered to students, ages 5 through 14, diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism who attend their local public school.
gcsssd.org.

Autism Spectrum Mandate Services
Adolescents and children with autism and other developmental disabilities can participate in different social activities through Medford’s Autism Spectrum Mandate Services. Children and adolescents are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or therapist to participate in social gatherings and have fun with friends. The events are free and take place at least once a month. Scheduled events can be found on their Meetup.com page.
autismservicesnj.org

SPANNER
Located in Voorhees, the non-profit Special Population Achieving Normalcy Through Education and Recreation (SPANNER) aims to help club members with social skills and provide mentors for people with disabilities. The club wants to improve the quality of each member’s life by participating in events, putting on performances, playing sports and having an evening dinner and a show. Group members register online and let the group know if they are attending the events online as well.
meetup.com/spanner

Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks has “Walk Now for Autism Speaks” events all over the country and throughout the year. Families, businesses, and schools can help raise money for autism research and participate in the walk with their team. People do not have to participate in the walk, they can do other things to help raise money such as sell lemonade or create their own event to help support autism research. To find out where, when and how to get involved, go to autismspeaks.org.

The Arc of Burlington County
Some of the programs the Arc of Burlington County in Burlington offers to children and adults with autism are the Adult Day Program and Residential Living where adults with autism are constantly learning skills in self-help, adaptive living, and personal awareness. They also provide a Learn-A-Way Developmental Day Care for babies and toddlers who are delayed in mental or social development and a summer camp for children 13 and up. Not only that, but the center offers courses for people who work with people with disabilities and in-home supports for people living in a community but need to be supervised.
arcofburlington.org
The Arc of Burlington County
115 East Broad Street, Burlington
(856) 764-9494

Bancroft’s Parenting Program
Parents with autism can have more difficulty raising their children than other parents, so the Bancroft Parenting Program in Haddonfield aims to teach adults skills needed to take care of themselves and their children. The program offers employment, educational, medical, and psychological support for patients in need of these services. Other instruction services include first aid, CPR and child development and some support services include finding a safe home environment, budgeting skills and nutrition counseling.
Bancroft.org/autism/adults
425 Kings Highway East Haddonfield
(856) 429-0010

Sibshops for Siblings
The Sibshops for Siblings in Cherry Hill is a workshop for children from the ages of 8-12 with special needs and their brothers and sisters. While having fun and making friends, siblings learn about disabilities, the challenges they face, and how to cope with these challenges. A child with special needs will spend a lot more time with their brothers and sisters than anyone else and the Sibshop gives them the opportunity to learn and have fun during that time.
jfcssnj.org/programs-and-services/Special-Needs/Sibshops
Jewish Family & Children’s Service
1301 Springdale Rd. Suite 150, Cherry Hill
(856) 424-1333

KidsAhead Consulting and Center for Development
Located in Medford, KidsAhead is a private center with certified special education teachers, RDI Program Certified Consultants, school shadows, and home support staff for children with autism and other developmental disorders. They aim to create better relations with friends and family members, improve class grades and to think open-minded about problem solving. KidsAhead also offers therapy such as Relationship Development Intervention and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.
kidsahead.net
6 North Main St. 1st Floor, Medford
(609) 654-5437

FACES 4 Autism
FACES 4 Autism supports children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum and those who love them. FACES provides autism education and resources to families and educators in the South Jersey area. We are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals on the spectrum through social opportunities and programs that will foster self advocacy, independence and dignity.
faces4autism.org
PO Box 2341, Ventnor
(609) 412-3750

You can also get more information from Autism Family Services of New Jersey
autismfamilyservicesnj.org.

6/12/15

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For more on local Organizations, visit our South Jersey Organizations page.

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Author: Editorial Staff--SouthJersey.com, Brianna Foley