Support Groups

Chicago, IL-South Suburbs

Important note for all Chicago residents!!! GRASP currently has three networks serving the Chicago area; Chicago-Evanston, Chicago-South Suburbs, and the Downtown Chicago Women's group. GRASP also maintains good relations with non-GRASP groups. Because Chicago is spread out over such a large area, transportation may be a factor in determining which group is right for you. If you need to resubscribe to a different group, please go back to our main page and do so through the "subscribe" button as you did to get to this group. Other non-GRASP options are

1. A group that meets in the northwest suburbs run by Brian Tozzo

2. A group that meets in the inner-city through Chicago Adults with AS and Friends

GRASP Chicago-South Suburbs is a peer-run support group for those 16 and older on the autism spectrum, though no official diagnosis is necessary. You can also bring a support person or two. While the support people won't be ignored, the focus of the group will be for those on the spectrum.  GRASP Chicago-South Suburbs will discuss topics relating to the challenges we face in work, relationships, and family life, and resources available to people on the Asperger-Autism Spectrum. 

Your coordinator: The facilitator for this group is Jamie Specht. Jamie can be reached at jspecht@grasp.org.

Meeting Times:  Second Wednesday of each month, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  (members will be notified if this varies)

Meeting Location:
New Beginnings Church
11111 Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
Room: basement gym
Facing the building from the parking lot, enter through the doors on your right. Come in and head down the stairs. Turn to the right and gym will be on your right..

Membership information is kept through the main GRASP office, so you must subscribe before you can attend. The Chicago Inner-City Women's group also requests that you RSVP on the CASPAN: Chicago Autism Spectrum Adult (and teen) Network Meetup Site, http://www.Meetup.com/CASPAN

Public Transportation Directions
Public transportation does not go directly to the church and is especially time consuming from the city.

However, the Metra South West train is available from Union Station to Worth, about a mile away.

Additionally, the Orange Line runs from the Loop to Midway Airport. From Midway Airport, buses run into Palos Hills, but at the time of group most stop at least a mile away.

Group members may be able to provide transportation from the Worth station or bus stops after meeting the first time.

Parking
Ample free parking is available at the church.

Driving Directions
from Downtown Chicago: 
Take I-55 South to LaGrange Road. Follow LaGrange South to 111th St. Make a left on 111th Street and follow for 2 miles until you reach the church, which will be on your right, directly across the street from Stagg High School.

from Naperville:
Take I-88 East to I-294 South. Exit at 95th St West. Follow 95th Street for less than a mile and turn left onto Robert's Road. Continue 2 miles to read the church, on your left.

Cost: All GRASP groups are absolutely FREE to attend. However, GRASP survives on funding from foundations, corporations, and generous individuals. If you wish to donate to GRASP, we would gratefully appreciate it (and we’re almost certain to need it). You can make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card via our DONATE page or mail your check made out to GRASP to: GRASP, 666 Broadway, Suite 830, New York, NY 10012

GRASP Support Network Removal Policy
(out of over 5000 people, we've luckily only had to use this 7 times.
But there'll be more— we are vulnerable by design as we do not demand that everyone bring often-expensive proof of diagnosis)