Puzzle Partners is a social skills activity group for middle, high school, and post-high school students with Asperger's syndrome, high-functioning autism or other social development disabilities.  This group was established to provide a social outlet for girls and boys on the autism spectrum through outings, friendship and other social conditioning activities.  
Hear what parents have to say!

Puzzle Partners Groups

   Teen Boys     Teen Girls    
new! Young Adult Guys     Young Adult Girls        
 


Each session includes:

  1. A time to get to know others of similar age who are also looking for friendship, acceptance, and new experiences.
  2. A social reminder or special social focus for the day.
  3. Having a fun time! Trying something new or repeating a favorite activity.

Location

Some activities are held at our usual meeting spot at LaGrave CRC (see address below). Some are outings, so we'll be asking you to bring your child to different areas of Grand Rapids.

LaGrave Christian Reformed Church
Youth Group building (aka: The Vault)
121 Sheldon SE
Grand Rapids, MI

If you have any questions, contact Ann Mary Dykstra at amdykstra@hopenetwork.org.

Cost

$15 per session. 



Teen Boys

Past activities include:

  • Building and launching model rockets
  • Game Night
  • Experimenting with small electric motors
  • Building and launching boats made from recycled materials

Typically meets:  Two Tuesdays a month, 7:00-8:00pm
Leader:  Justin Mull, Hope Network DART Program
 
Intake Form
 

Teen Girls

Past activities include:

  • Making items to sell -- jewelry, purses, posters, notecards
  • Pottery
  • Building and launching boats made from recycled materials
  • Make-up night
  • Visiting Art Prize
  • Writing/publishing books
Typically meets:  1st Tuesday of every month, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Leader: Ann Mary Dykstra, Hope Network Center for Autism

Intake Form


Young Adult Guys

Possible activities:

  • Game night
  • Going out to eat
  • Cooking
  • Experimenting and building
Beginning February 9, the young adult guys group will meet one Thursday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Intake Form


Young Adult Girls 

Past activities include:

  • Riding the Rapid to a restaurant
  • Visiting the Farmer's Market
  • Learning to Cook
  • Digital Arts
  • Writing/Publishing books
  • Game Night

Typically meets:  Two Thursdays a month, 6:30-8:00 pm.
Leaders:  Christy Gast and Ann Mary Dykstra -- Hope Network Center for Autism

Intake Form
 

Questions?  Don't hesitate to Ask Jenny!

   
Center for Autism Grand Rounds --- 2012 Lunch Lecture Series
5/9/2012

Friday, June 1st
Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Elyse Wiseman, BCBA, Hope Network

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Hope Network Education Center

Grand Rounds is a new series of professional lunchtime lectures covering a variety of topics relating to autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental conditions, including ABA, Speech and Language Pathology, and supporting children and adults with autism. Lectures are free of charge and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring their lunch. Following each lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.


All lectures are from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Hope Network Education Center, 775 36th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI.
---
Michigan Partners for Freedom | Free Self-Determination Seminar
5/1/2012
If you have a disability and want to get more control of your life, your support, and your services, then join the Michigan Partners for Freedom on May 9, 2012 from 9:30 - 2:30 pm at Hope Network Education Center in Grand Rapids. Lunch included!
---
Hope Network strives to bridge gap in services to people with mental illness
4/25/2012
WGVU  |  Hope Network is a non-profit Christian organization well known in Michigan for providing a broad continuum of care in the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries, developmental disabilities, and mental illness. WGVU’s Caroline MacGregor reports on the organization’s efforts to streamline services and address the alarming mortality rate among people with mental health disabilities.