Online Support Groups
Connecting with others who are going through the adoption process and those who have already completed an adoption can be a great resource for families. The Support Groups below are wonderful gathering places to meet other families!
The resource list below is provided as a courtesy to those interested in learning more about Special Needs. The information in each listing was provided either directly by the entity listed or was obtained from public websites. LWB does not verify that information and does not endorse any book, group, physician or medical facility. If you would like to share additional online support groups, please email us.
-
This list was created to support families that have adopted children with cleft lip and/or palate internationally.
-
A caring and supportive community to celebrate the unique challenges and joys of parenting children with Cerebral Palsy.
-
This is a group for anyone who is considering or who has adopted a child with limb differences.
-
BVI-Parents is a list for parents of children who are blind or visually impaired to network and share ideas and experiences.
-
A support group for parents, grandparents and siblings of children born with Congenital Heart Defects. They offer many resources such as message boards, chat, picture pages and databases. They also help with finding other CHD Families in your area, with the same condition or treating facility or doctor.
-
This group offers support to parents of children with developmental delays (speech and language, motor, cognitive, sensory, emotional and social, etc.). This list is a place to share stories, therapy issues, behaviorial issues, social issues and many other issues that arise.
-
This group is for families who have adopted, are in the process of adopting, or are considering the adoption of, a child from China with a congenital heart defect.
-
An online list for discussing the domestic or international adoption of deaf and hard of hearing children.
-
An active, moderated web based board for parents of children with Down Syndrome. Topics include prayer requests, education, PDD/autism, open discussion and more.
-
An online support group for parents of Special Needs Children, who have any of the following: Hypotonia, Speech Language Disorders, Apraxia, Dyspraxia, Developmental Delays, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, APD, Autistic Tendencies, PDD.
-
A Parent Support Email Community for parents whose children have chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and other infectious diseases. In this community, parents can find support in a confidential and respectful community.
-
An online group for the discussion of sensory integration (SI); for information, education, and therapy related to SI; for support of families dealing with sensory issues, children having behavioral and/or neurological difficulties, identifying triggers, and looking at solutions so everyone has a better quality of life as well as improved health.
-
A list for parents/family/caregivers/friends of people with spina bifida, or people with SB, to join to discuss issues, support, and other relevant issues.
-
This group is a support group dedicated to helping families affected by VACTERL/VATER Association. The word VACTERL is made up of the areas that are affected by the condition, with each letter standing for a particular area affected (vertebral, anal, cardio, tracheo-esophageal, renal, limb).
-
This group is for families interested in adopting a "waiting child" (a child with some kind of special need) from China. This group is for prospective families at any phase of the adoption process, as well as adoption agency representatives.