Family Support
The LEND Family Support Group was established by Dr. Ivana Krstovska (LEND Program Director) and Farrah Rios (LEND Facilitator, family member, and former LEND trainee) in October 2021 with the goal of providing ongoing support for families navigating the complex systems of care for their children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The group meets every first Monday of the month from 7 pm to 8:30 pm via ZOOM. Please see the attached flyer for the meeting schedule and ZOOM link. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email us at Lendparents@gmail.com.
In addition to monthly meetings, we offer Family Advocacy Training Series to provide families who have children diagnosed with ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions with resources and important information to help them understand the diagnosis and access resources. This series is offered several times per year, as well as on demand, and is delivered in six ZOOM sessions covering the following topics:
1) Understanding the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
2) The importance of the evaluation process and evaluation reports
3) Understanding different school settings and services
4) Understanding your child’s learning process and basic behavioral strategies
5) Finding resources and services in NYC
6) Transition to adulthood
Please note the Family Advocacy Training Series doesn’t give legal advice. Importantly, it doesn’t substitute for the care coordination, case management or individual medical, behavioral, social service care that families and their children already are or should be connected to, but rather works to help you connect and support your connection to these services.
If you are interested in the 2026 Family Advocacy Training Series, please register here, and we will email you a ZOOM link before the first scheduled workshop:
Register for the Training Series
Email us at LENDparents@gmail.com with any questions.