Autism Support Groups in Columbus, Ohio

Where autism families and autistic adults find each other in Central Ohio — and why the right group can change how the whole journey feels.

Support and connection matter as much as services. In Columbus, support runs through the Autism Society Central Ohio, statewide organizations, informal parent networks, and autistic-led community. This page points you toward finding the right fit.

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Autism Society of Central Ohio

Autism Society affiliate — parent, caregiver and adult support groups

The Central Ohio Autism Society affiliate runs a network of volunteer-facilitated parent and caregiver groups across Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Knox and Champaign counties, plus adult social groups and a bilingual Spanish/English group in Columbus. Facilitators are volunteers, not clinicians. Meeting times and formats change — contact the facilitator listed for your county before showing up.

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OCALI — Family and Community Outreach Center

Statewide nonprofit information, resource and referral center

Statewide but Columbus-based, OCALI publishes Ohio's Parent Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder along with a free lending library of books, assistive tech devices and assessment tools open to any Ohio resident over 18. This is a resource and training hub rather than a peer support group — useful for newly diagnosed families sorting out next steps.

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Nisonger Aspirations (Ohio State University)

Social skills program with a parallel caregiver support group

A 12-week social skills and support program for autistic adolescents and adults ages 15–30, running since 2002, with a parallel education and support track for parents and caregivers. Be aware it is fee-for-service and does not accept insurance, Medicaid or waiver funds — financial aid is available on request, and county DD boards sometimes pre-authorize coverage.

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