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Support Groups

Whether you are seeking support or wish to share what you have learned to support others, in-person and online support groups are designed to help.

Please contact SD Parent Connection at 1-800-640-4553 or sdpc@sdparent.org to learn of other available resources and/or to share information on support groups in your area.

Because support group information is subject to change, please contact groups of interest for current information.

ADHD

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP

understood.org

Understood.org is a digital resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues. The Understood community is a place to convene and converse with parents on a journey to seek free expert advice from trusted professionals; participate in daily chats and webinars; share personal experiences in a secure environment with other parents.

Asthma / Allergies

NO NUTS MOMS GROUP-SIOUX FALLS

Group Leader: Nikki Cisse  Email: nonutsmomsgroup@hotmail.com

Autism

Aberdeen Area Autism Spectrum Disorder Parent Support Group
Visit their Facebook page.

 

Autism Parent Support Group Sioux Falls
Visit their Facebook page.

 

Autism Society of the Black Hills
autismsd.org
Phone: 605-415-6582
Email: info@autismsd.org

Assist all families and others associated with an autistic, Asperger’s or Pervasive Development Disorder individual to have access to support groups, meetings, additional information and resources.

 

Central South Dakota Autism Society
For more information contact Helen Beckwith at 605-567-3391

 

Siouxland Autism Support Group
Facebook 

This group is here to support and uplift individuals and families living with autism, as well as professionals and others who care for someone on the autism spectrum.

Brain Injury

Aberdeen Area Brain Injury Support Group

Group meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Rehabilitation Center on the fourth floor of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital. For more information, please contact Ron Hoops at 605-395-6655.

 

Brookings Area Brain Injury Support Group

Meets the first Thursday of the month from 3-4 p.m. at the Brookings Hospital. Contact Doris Schumacher or call 605-697-6678 or email dahschumacher@hotmail.com

 

Rapid City Brain Injury Support Group of the Black Hills

The Brain Injury Support Group of Black Hills meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM at The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center, located at 803 Soo San Drive in Rapid City. The group is open to individuals with a brain injury, their families/caregivers, and professionals. Contact Dr. Justine Ashokar at 605-343-7297 or jashokar@bhws.com.

 

Sioux Falls Area Brain Injury Support Group

The Sioux Falls Area Brain Injury Support Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 1:00 PM at The Center for Active Generations, located at 2300 W. 46th Street. The support group provides an environment for brain injury survivors and their families to share accomplishments and struggles, and to find others who understand. The group invites an educational speaker at least every 2-3 months. A monthly newsletter is sent out to those on the mailing list. If you would like to receive this newsletter or want more information, please contact us.

Contact:
Karen Brokenleg: 605-339-0137
Deb Lichty: 605-322-5066
Mary Tommeraasen: 605-367-5260

Cross Disability / Disorder

GKSN – Grandparents of Kids with Special Needs

Our newest initiative—both a Facebook group and a Yahoo group. As our members tell us, “If you have a grandchild with special needs, no one will understand your joys and concerns better than another grandparent.”

Visit their Facebook page. 

Down Syndrome

Ups of Downs / Down Syndrome Family Support Group (Rapid City)

upsofdowns.org

Facebook 

Roy Vanberkum or Mona Droic at (605) 348 – 1358 / (605) 877 – 1190 

Our purpose is to promote the awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of children and adults with Down syndrome in South Dakota. 

 

Sioux Falls New Directions Down Syndrome Association

newdirectionsdsa.com

605-610-8026.

Facebook 

Provides information about Down Syndrome, directions to resources, networking opportunities and also has a Family Financial Assistance Program. 

Epilepsy

SIOUX FALLS AREA EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP

Visit their Facebook page and request to join this closed group for parents with children with seizure disorders and individuals with seizure disorders. Further information available from Heather Johnson at heather.m.johnson@gmail.com.

Fragile X

Heartland Fragile X Alliance of Iowa/South Dakota

Support group for families of children with fragile X. Email heartlandfx@gmail.com to be added to the newsletter and quarterly conference call list.
fragilex.org

 Nancy Carlson: 515-779-3547

Grief and Loss Support

Avera Child and Adolescent Grief Programs
 1-800-691-4336 
avera.org

Black Hills Area Survivors of Suicide Support Group

sdsuicideprevention.org
Meetings are held every 4th Saturday of every month from 10am – 12pm at the First Congregational UCC Church at 1200 Clark Street in Rapid City. No RSVP is required to attend.

Rapid City Suicide Grief Counseling

frontporchcoalition.org

605-348-6692

An eight-week support group for those who have lost a family member, friend, or colleague to suicide. The group is facilitated by peer members of the L.O.S.S. Team and provides education, support, and other resources specific to suicide grief and loss. This is not an open, ongoing group and is scheduled based on need, so please call to RSVP at 605-348-6692 to attend this group. 

Adult Grief Program

800-691-4336
Grief is usually a painful feeling that can affect your entire being – emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually. Counselors will offer information about the normal grief process during this program for adults or seniors. Sessions held at Education Classroom G616, Avera Behavioral Health Center, 4400 W. 69th Street.

Sioux Falls Infant Loss Support Group- Avera

pam.koepsell@sanfordhealth.org 

nationalshare.org 

800-691-4636
Offers infant loss support for families that have encountered miscarriages, stillbirths or SIDS. Pre-registration required for a 6 week support group on Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm. Series offered 3 times a year at Avera Behavioral Health Education Classroom G610, located at 4400 W 69th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108. 

Sioux Falls Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group- Sanford

pam.koepsell@sanfordhealth.org

nationalshare.org

605-328-7140
Located at Sanford USD Medical Center, 1305 W. 18th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57117. 

National Share Weekly Online Group Chats
The National Share office hosts weekly online group chats that are free of charge to our families. The online Pregnancy Loss Group (for the loss of baby through miscarriage, still birth
or in the first weeks of life) meets every Tuesday from 7:00pm-9:00pm CST. The 3rd week is dedicated to Pregnancy After Loss (for those pregnant after a loss or trying to become pregnant).
To connect to the group meeting, go to our website at: nationalshare.org
The Share office also maintains an active presence on Facebook, with three support groups and Share’s National page. The support groups are closed groups to protect privacy and require approval prior to posting within the page. The National Share page is a public page and posts current information regarding events, pertinent articles, chapter updates, and videos from bereaved families.

Share Bereaved Families Peer Support (Closed)
Share Pregnancy After Loss Support (Closed)
Share Español: Esperanza for Spanish Speaking Families (Closed)
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support, Inc. (Public)
Join their Facebook Groups.

Infant Loss Support Group-Avera, Sioux Falls
Offers a 6 week series support for families who are grieving the death of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. This group is offered every 4 months, with the next being in October 2021 at Avera Behavioral Health Center, 4400 W. 69th St., Education Classroom G616. For more information, please contact Mark VandeBraak PhD, MTBC< FT at 605-322-4074 or through email at mark.vandebraak@avera.org.

Sioux Falls Sad Isn’t Bad Grief Support Series
Visit their Facebook group.

Sioux Falls Area Compassionate Friends
For children and families who have lost a loved one. Support Group meets at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3801 E. 26th Street, Sioux Fall from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, call Kendra at 605-496-9618 or Kristin at 605-610-9432. Email: contact@compassionatesf.org.

Compassionate Friends Private Facebook Groups
Visit compassionatefriends.org

Surviving After Suicide Support Group-Sioux Falls
The SAS Monthly Support Groups is held the first Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm at the Helpline Center – 1000 N. West Ave, Suite 310. Our SAS meetings are held in an atmosphere that is warm and friendly and nonjudgmental. Anyone who has lost a family member or friend is invited to attend, whether it is a recent loss or many years ago. Feelings shared are kept confidential and discussed only within the confines of the group meeting. Thus, our SAS support groups provide a comfortable, non-threatening setting to share our experiences and thoughts.

Questions are encouraged to help in coping with the different stages of the grieving process and with the feelings that are particularly intense in the aftermath of suicide-denial, shock, disbelief, sadness, anger, guilt and shame. We end our discussion sessions by sharing something positive that has recently taken place or something good you are anticipating.

There is no fee and no registration required. You are welcome to attend at anytime.

Surviving After Suicide Education/Support Class meets on 10 consecutive
Thursday evenings, several times per year from 7-8:30pm. Pre-registration is required.
Donations are accepted, but not required. An ongoing Support Group meets the 1st
Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm. There is no charge to attend.
Contact: Sheri Nelson; 605-339-4357, sheri@helplinecenter.org

Mental/Behavioral Health

See also Cross Disability/Disorder Listings
Visit South Dakota NAMI for the virtual Support Groups: namisouthdakota.org

Sibling Support

SD SIBS: Support and Inspire our Brothers and Sisters

siblingleadership.org

Facebook

In an effort to support siblings of adults with disabilities, SD SIBS was formed through a joint effort between USD Center for Disabilities and SD Parent Connection. This group is dedicated to supporting individuals who have a sibling with a disability and addressing the needs, challenges, and successes for siblings in South Dakota and the surrounding area.

 

SibShops

sdpc@sdparent.org (Family Life/Sibling) for more information.

1-800-640-4553 
Designed for siblings (ages 6-13) of children with special needs. Visit our Siblings page on this website. 

 

SibNet

siblingsupport.org
SibNet is online community of sisters and brothers of people who have disabilities. They share concerns and challenges, insights and joys that only other sibs are likely to understand as well as information about services, resources, and strategies that help members advocate for their brothers and sisters, themselves, and their families.

SibTeen is Facebook group where teenage sibs of people with disabilities can connect with others who get it.

 

Sib20

siblingsupport.org
Sib20 is a Facebook group where twenty-something sibs of people with disabilities connect with others who “get it.” It’s sibling support from a young adult perspective.

 

Sibling Leadership Network

siblingleadership.org
The mission of the Sibling Leadership Network is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their entire families.

Special Health Needs

Food Allergies Support Group

brenda.nour@gmail.com

605-480-1482 

Informational and supportive group for parents of children with food allergies and related diseases. The group meets the first Monday of each month, August through May, at 7 p.m. at Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Childcare is available. 

 

Sioux Falls Mended Little Hearts of the Sioux Empire

Facebook

For children and young adults with a heart condition and their families. 

 

Spina Bifida Support Group of South Dakota

alynn505@gmail.com

Facebook

Located in Rapid City, SD. Whether you were born with Spina Bifida, or have a family member or friend with it, we want everyone to know that you are not alone. This group is also for parents and siblings of those who have Spina Bifida. If you or anyone you know who would like to be a part of this support group please email Andrea Ebsen.

Visual Impairment

Aberdeen Area Family Support Group for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Meets quarterly. For more information, please contact Amy Scepaniak at 605-626-2580 or scepania@sdsbvi.northern.edu

 

Sioux Falls Area Family Support Group for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Please contact Indira Dillon at 605-995-8191 or indira.dillon@sdsbvi.northern.edu or Julie Van Dover at julie.vandover@sdsbvi.northern.edu or 605-626-2580 for information.

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Take advantage of our most recent publication “Preparing For The Future… Understanding Guardianship and Alternatives”

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