Support groups can be a great resource to help people with disabilities and their caregivers make connections within the disability community and learn from other’s shared experiences.
Due to the volume of regional support groups, we can't list them all, but we've offered a large sample below. If you're looking for a certain support group or you have questions, please contact the UPMC Disabilities Resource Center.
Support group categories on this page:
Autism Support Groups
Blair County Parent Support Group
Contact: Lori Crabtree (Lynnanscott@aol.com), 814-684-0836
Location: 708 N 2nd St, Altoona, PA 16001
ASD Support Group
Contact: Andrea Wright (asd3mom@gmail.com), 724-992-2527
Location: Children’s Aide Society - 350 W Market St, Mercer, PA 16137
Date: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 6 p.m.
AIM: Support for Families of Adults with Special Needs
Contact: Linda Marino (lmarino@jfcspgh.org), 412-422-7200
Social and Discussion Groups for Adults with HFA/ASP (Autism Connection of PA)
Social Group
Contact: Heather Conroy (heather.a.conroy@gmail.com)
Location: Pittsburgh metro area (locations may vary- go to link or contact Heather for more information)
Discussion Group
Contact: Marie Mambuca (marie@autismofpa.org), 412-781-4116
Location: Squirrel Hill
Date: Second Sunday of the month
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Please visit the Autism Connection of PA page at meetup.com to sign up for either group. Individual must have an official diagnosis of autism.
Autism Urban Connections - Hazelwood
Contact: Jamie Upshaw (aucofpgh@yahoo.com), 412-853-0115
Location: Carnegie Library of Hazelwood (5006 Second Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15207)
Date: Fourth Tuesday of the month
Time: 5 - 7 p.m.
Dinner is provided and children are welcome.
Visit the Autism Urban Connections Facebook page for more information about this support groups activities.
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Brain Injury Support Groups
Veterans Brain Injury Peer Support Group
Contact: Brandy, 814-949-1905
Location: Station Medical Center, Conference room (use K4 entrance to the left of Dialysis Center)
Date: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Altoona Brain Injury Support Group
Contact: Brandee Riggleman (briggleman.cilscpa@gmail.com), 800-237-9009
Location: 1019 Logan Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602
Date: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 12 - 2 p.m.
Bedford Brain Injury Support Group
Contact: Brandee Riggleman (briggleman.cilscpa@gmail.com), 800-237-9009
Location: Bedford County Library, Asa D. May meeting room (240 S Wood St, Bedford, PA 15522)
Date: First Thursday of the month
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Brain Injury and Stroke Support Group
Contact: Michelle McCann, 412-749-2388
Location: HealthSouth of Sewickley, 3rd floor board room (303 Camp Meeting Road, Sewickley, PA 15143)
Date: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 12 - 1:15 p.m.
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Mental Health Support Groups
Depression and Bipolar Self-Help Support Group (UPMC Altoona)
Contact: 814-889-2141
Location: UPMC Altoona, Bedford room
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 7 - 8 p.m.
Mental Health Support Group
Contact: 412-942-4800
Location: Christ United Methodist Church (44 Highland Rd., Bethel Park, PA 15102) OR Bridgeville Public Library (505 McMillen St., Bridgeville, PA 15017)
Date: Second Thursday of the month
Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Depression Support Group
Contact: 724-834-6351
Location: Mental Health America of Westmoreland County (409 Coulter Ave., Suite 4, Greensburg, PA 15601)
Date: Twice a month (see below)
Time: First Tuesday of the month from 11am - 1pm; third Thursday of the month from 7 - 9pm
NAMI PA Butler Support Groups
Contact: Butler NAMI office: 724-431-0069
Location: Passavant Retirement Community Center (105 Burgess Dr., Zelienople, PA 16063)
Date: Second Tuesday of the month
Time 5:30 p.m.
Location: Mental Health Association, Voyagers room
Date: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 6:30 p.m.
NAMI McKeesport Area Support Group
Contact: Violet Ludwig, 412-373-7977
Location: Penn State Greater Allegheny, Frable Bldg. Rm 122 (4000 University Dr., White Oak, PA 15131)
Date: Second Thursday of the month
Time: 7 p.m.
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Parkinson’s Disease Support Groups
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group (UPMC Altoona)
Contact: 814-889-2141
Location: Hoss’s Restaurant (621 Valley View Blvd., Altoona, PA, 16602)
Date: Last Monday of the month
Time: 11 a.m.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group (UPMC Hamot Heart and Vascular Institute)
Contact: Jessica Valko (jessica.valko@healthsouth.com), 412-828-1300 x7710
Location: HealthSouth Harmarville (320 Guys Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Date: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Contact: Lynne Gotham, 814-899-3030
Location: HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital (143 East 2nd St., Erie, PA 16507)
Date: Fourth Sunday of the month (unless it is a holiday)
Time: 2 p.m.
Additional Details: Consult their monthly newsletter or Facebook page for schedule changes.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Contact: JoAnn McElroy, 412-901-6277 OR Tom & Carol Reid, 412-704-7533
Location: Forbes Regional Hospital (2570 Haymaker Rd., Monroeville, PA 15146)
Date: Second Friday of the month
Time: 1 p.m.
Younger Onset Parkinson’s Disease Support Group (UPMC East)
Contact: Karl Mormer, 412-422-2200
Location: UPMC East (2775 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville, PA 15146)
Date: Second Monday of the month
Time: 7 p.m.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Contact: Randy Shreckengast, 724-515-5427 OR Don Davis, 724-276-5234
Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (501 Fairfield Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601)
Date: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 1 p.m.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Contact: Janet Altman, 724-658-8377
Location: Jamison Health System, Neshannock Rehab Center (3410 Wilmington Rd, New Castle, PA 16105)
Date: Second Thursday of the month
Time: 10 a.m.
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Physical Disabilities Support Groups
Amp Up! Support group (UPMC Mercy South Side)
Contact: Tracie A. Nguyen, 412-232-4070
Location: UPMC Mercy South Side Outpatient Center, Conference Center #1
Date: Third Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Amputee Support Group
Contact: 412-749-2255
Location: HealthSouth of Sewickley, Library (303 Camp Meeting Road, Sewickley, PA 15143)
Date: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 3 p.m.
Amputee Support Group
Contact: 412-828-1300 ext. 2743
Location: HealthSouth Harmarville (320 Guys Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Date: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support Group
Contact: Marshall Lee Tempest (tempestml@upmc.edu)
Location: Mercy Hospital East Wing, 7th floor, PT/OT Gym
Date: 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Wheelchair Clinic (UPMC Altoona)
Contact: 814-889-4463 (Physician referral required)
Location: Station Medical Center, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department
Date: Second Tuesday of the month
Time: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. (call to make appointment)
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Stroke Support Groups
UPMC St. Margaret Stroke Support Group
Contact: Rachael Hofrichter, 412-784-5505
Location: UPMC St. Margaret Conference Center C
Date: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 1 - 2 p.m.
Stroke Support Group (UPMC Altoona)
Contact: Patty, 814-889-2141
Location: Access Center, located in the Blair Medical Center, 501 Howard Ave., Building C, Altoona
Date: Third Wednesday of the month
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Stroke Support Group
Contact: Valerie Bucek (valerie.bucek@healthsouth.com), 412-826-2784
Location: HealthSouth Harmarville (320 Guys Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Date: On a Wednesday each month
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Stroke Support Group
Contact: 724-258-1455
Location: Mon Valley Hospital, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (1163 Country Club Rd., Monongahela, PA 15063)
Date: Last Thursday of the month
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Stroke Survivor/Caregiver Support Group
Contact: Lori Matthews, 724-430-5212
Location: Uniontown Hospital (500 W. Berkeley St., Uniontown, PA 15401)
Date: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Stroke Survivors Support Group
Contact: AgeWell Pittsburgh, 412-422-0400
Location: Jewish Community Center (5738 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217)
True Life After Stroke Support Group (UPMC Mercy)
Contact: Kathy Seiler, 412-232-8738
Location: UPMC Mercy, Sister M. Ferdinand Clark Auditorium ()
Date: Second Saturday of the month
Time: 10am - 12 p.m.
Register for this support group's meetings at the UPMC Classes and Events website.
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