You Were Never Meant to Walk This Journey Alone
We know the reality. For too long, families navigating the autism spectrum in Rockdale, Newton, and Henry counties have found themselves in a "service desert." You have spent countless hours driving across the state, fighting for resources, and wishing for a local, accessible community that just gets it. Finding the right support shouldn't be the hardest part of the journey. That is exactly why SM GANT Ministries partnered with Newbridge NW Psychology Associates to create this space. We are stepping into the gap to build an oasis for neurodiverse youth (ages 10-20) and their families. We believe you deserve a premium, local hub where your child can thrive, and where you can finally take a breath.
What We Are Building Together:
Fierce Advocacy: We aren't just a meeting space; we are a movement. We are actively building a brain trust of legal advocates and community leaders to fight for autism rights in our counties.
Whole-Family Connection: This journey impacts everyone. Our group is designed to be a vibrant social hub for the youth, a sanctuary for parents to share resources, and a welcoming space for siblings.
Faith & Innovation: Rooted in deep compassion, we combine faith-based encouragement with modern, tech-forward resources to empower every single family that walks through our doors.
What to Expect: A Real Community, Right Here in Conyers.
Say goodbye to the exhausting drives to Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Kennesaw just to find a quality autism social group. We are bringing the support directly to Conyers, Georgia.
At the SM GANT Autism Family Support Group, our primary goal is simple: no one should have to struggle to find connection. We have partnered with Newbridge NW Psychology Associates to provide engaging, expert-guided social group activities right in your backyard.
This isn't a rigid, one-size-fits-all program. We take great pride in accommodating the unique social needs of every individual who walks through our doors.
How Our Social Group Works:
Youth Connection (Ages 10-20): A welcoming, low-pressure environment for autistic youth to hang out, engage in fun activities, and build genuine friendships with peers who understand them.
Parent & Sibling Support: While the youth connect, parents and family members have a dedicated space to breathe, share resources, and connect with like-minded people who are on the exact same journey.
Tailored to You: We listen. The activities and social structures will continuously adjust based on the specific needs and interests of the participants.
Our Schedule: We currently meet on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. As our community grows and we assess the needs of our families, we plan to increase the frequency of our meetups.
All Are Welcome: We mean it. Cost should never block your family from finding a community. We accept insurance, and for those without it, services are highly subsidized by SM GANT Ministries.
The Core Details
We know that consistency and predictability are essential for neurodiverse families. That is why we have designed our meetups to be a reliable, welcoming anchor in your month. No guesswork, no driving for hours—just a dependable community waiting for you. Here is everything you need to know to join us.
📅 WHEN: Every First Wednesday of the Month Mark your calendars. We believe in building a dependable, consistent rhythm so your family always knows exactly when their community is gathering.
🕒 TIME: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM The perfect after-school and after-work window. Come exactly as you are—whether it has been a great day or a tough one. This hour is strictly reserved for your family to reset, connect, and exhale.
📍 WHERE: Right Here in Conyers, GA We meet at Newbridge NW Psychology Associates (1277 Parker Rd SE, Conyers, GA 30094). Don't worry about stiff, clinical environments—we transform this space into a vibrant, welcoming community hub designed specifically for your comfort and connection.
🫂 WHO: The Whole Family This space is built for autistic youth (Ages 10–20) to find their peers and build genuine friendships. But it doesn't stop there. Parents, guardians, and siblings from Rockdale, Newton, and Henry counties are explicitly invited to build their own support network right alongside them.
Cost is Never a Barrier. Community is Everything.
We know that navigating the autism spectrum often comes with unexpected financial pressures. Our promise to the families of Rockdale, Newton, and Henry counties is unwavering: we will work with every family to ensure that money is never the reason a youth cannot get the support they deserve.
For Families Seeking Support: Please, just show up. We accept insurance through Newbridge NW Psychology Associates, and for those without coverage, SM GANT Ministries heavily subsidizes the cost. You belong here, regardless of your financial situation.
For Our Supporters (How We Keep This Alive): To ensure we never have to turn a family away, SM GANT Ministries actively hosts fundraisers and relies on the incredible generosity of our community. If you are in a position to give, your donation directly funds a family’s participation and keeps this vital program alive. 👉 Make a Donation Here
For Local Businesses: Are you a business leader looking to make a tangible, lasting impact in Conyers? We are actively seeking corporate partners to help us expand this oasis. 👉 Contact Us to Partner
Even if you cannot donate today, your voice matters. If you know someone passionate about autism advocacy who might want to support our mission, please share this page with them!
Register for
SM GANT
Autism Family Support Group
Frequently Asked Questions
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We completely understand this concern. We work hard to keep our main gathering space sensory-friendly, avoiding harsh fluorescent lighting and overwhelming background noise. However, we also know that an engaging social group can naturally get lively. That is why we always have a dedicated, low-stimulation "Chill Zone" available. If your child (or you!) needs to step away, dim the lights, and regulate in quiet, that space is always open and respected.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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Absolutely. We know that communication is so much more than spoken words. Whether your youth is fully verbal, partially speaking, uses an AAC tablet, or prefers to communicate through parallel play (playing alongside someone rather than directly talking), they are a vital part of this group. Our activities are designed so that everyone can participate at their own comfort level.
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While we meet at the same time and in the same facility, the youth are not forced into one giant circle. We set up different "interest stations" (video games, art, quiet building blocks, etc.). Natural groupings tend to form based on developmental readiness and shared interests rather than strict chronological age.
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Yes! Autism impacts the entire family unit, and siblings need community just as much as anyone else. Siblings are absolutely welcome to attend, play, and connect. We just ask that you include them on your registration form so we have an accurate headcount for snacks and activities!
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This is a Family Support Group, meaning a parent or legal guardian must stay on-site for the full 60 minutes. But don't worry—you won't be sitting in a waiting room staring at your phone. While the youth are engaging in their activities, the parents gather in a separate, comfortable space to breathe, share resources, and connect with other adults who truly understand the journey.
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We know the waiting lists for formal evaluations in Georgia can be incredibly long. Whether your child has an official medical diagnosis, an educational diagnosis through the school system, or you are currently navigating the evaluation process and suspect they are on the spectrum, your family is welcome here.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.
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Simply put: we know exactly how hard it is. We have first-hand experience raising a neurodivergent child. We have lived through the exhaustion, the isolation, and the constant fight for resources. We built this group to be the exact community we wished we had when we started our own journey. We are doing this because no family should have to navigate this path alone.
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Yes, we do. While we are deeply committed to subsidizing the cost for families so that money is never a barrier, running this program and expanding our reach relies on the generosity of our community. We gladly accept donations. Every single contribution goes directly toward funding the activities, securing the space, and keeping this program alive. If you, or a local business you know, would like to make a donation or partner with us, please reach out or use the donation link on our site.
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Absolutely! We are actively seeking corporate partners and local businesses in Conyers, Rockdale, Newton, and Henry counties to help us transform this "service desert" into a true oasis. Whether your company wants to become a financial sponsor, donate goods or services for our youth activities (like art supplies or snacks), or organize a corporate volunteer day, your involvement makes a massive, immediate impact right here in your own community. Please contact Shawna directly, and let’s discuss how your business can partner with SM GANT Ministries to champion these incredible families.
Where We Connect
We currently host our monthly support group in partnership with the incredible team at Newbridge NW Psychology Associates. While SM GANT Ministries is proudly a virtual ministry based right here in Conyers, GA, this welcoming office space serves as our physical gathering hub.
We are just getting started. As our community grows across Rockdale, Newton, and Henry counties, we will be expanding our social activities and potentially adding new locations to serve you better. Please stay tuned as we grow together!
Our Monthly Meeting Location: Newbridge NW Psychology Associates 1277 Parker Rd SE Conyers, GA 30094
Contact Us: shawna@smgant.org | (762) 237-4363