The Supported Living Group

03/13/2026

We're thrilled to share some exciting news from our Inspire Arts program at The Supported Living Group!

Four talented participants — JK, LP, JM, and GP — each have an original art piece on display as part of the National Arts Program 33rd Annual Exhibit!

This wonderful showcase gives our ABI Waiver participants the opportunity to proudly share their creativity and talents with the community.

Event Details:
Reception: Tuesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: CT State Capital Community College
Community Room & 2nd Floor Atrium
185 Main Street, Hartford, CT

Come enjoy a beautiful evening of art, connect with our artists, and support the incredible work being created through Inspire Arts!

is welcome — bring your friends and family to cheer on our participants. If you’re able to stop by and show your support, we’d be so grateful. Their creativity deserves to be celebrated!

03/11/2026

🏂 Moments like this are what community-based brain injury support is all about.

This week, one of our ABI Waiver participants, JH, finally made it to the slopes! With the help of an adaptive program that provides supported skiing and snowboarding opportunities, he was able to get back out there with a 1:1 snowboard instructor.

And from the looks of it… he may not have needed much help at all!

Experiences like this highlight the power of meaningful recreational engagement in brain injury recovery. Community activities—whether creative, recreational, vocational, or social—play a critical role in rebuilding confidence, independence, and quality of life after a brain injury.

At The Supported Living Group, our community-based staff work alongside participants and their support networks to help make opportunities like this possible—turning goals into real-world experiences.

A big thank you to JH’s support team and conservators for helping make this moment happen.

Because recovery and growth don’t only happen in therapy sessions—they happen out in the community, doing the things that bring people joy.

03/10/2026

💼 Employment Should Be Accessible to Everyone

Many autistic and neurodivergent adults have incredible skills, creativity, and dedication, but too often they face barriers when navigating the traditional hiring process or workplace environment.

Interview expectations, communication styles, sensory challenges, and limited employer understanding can make finding and maintaining employment unnecessarily difficult.

At The Supported Living Group, we believe employment support should focus on strengths, not limitations. That’s why we’ve launched our Autism & Neurodivergent Employment Support services in Connecticut.

Through personalized job coaching, career exploration, resume development, interview preparation, and workplace support, our team helps individuals build the confidence and strategies needed to succeed in meaningful employment.

We are proud to support neurodivergent individuals in building careers, independence, and stronger connections within their communities.

Learn more about our new program:
https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/autism-neurodivergent-employment-support-connecticut

If you know someone who may benefit from these services, feel free to share this post to help spread the word.

SLG provides employment support and job coaching for autistic and neurodivergent individuals across Connecticut.

03/06/2026

Members of The Supported Living Group’s management and clinical team are proud to start the day at the annual conference hosted by the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut.

This important gathering brings together professionals, advocates, clinicians, and providers from across the state who are committed to improving the lives of individuals affected by brain injury. It’s always an energizing opportunity to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and learn about emerging research and best practices that strengthen community-based support.

At SLG, ongoing learning and collaboration are central to our mission. Participating in events like this helps ensure that our team continues to bring innovative, informed, and compassionate support to the individuals and families we serve across Connecticut.

We’re looking forward to a full day of learning, networking, and advancing the conversation around brain injury support and recovery. 🧠

03/05/2026

🧠 Brain Injury Awareness Month: The Power of Peer Connection

Recovery after a brain injury is not just about therapy sessions or medical treatment. It’s also about connection, belonging, and learning from others who truly understand the journey.

A recent article from STAT News highlights an important truth in brain injury recovery: people often draw strength and hope from peers who have lived similar experiences. As the author describes, some of the most meaningful moments in recovery come from others who have “lived what I was living,” demonstrating that progress is possible. https://www.statnews.com/2026/03/04/medicine-experts-tbi-de-tocqueville-brain-democracy-hospital/

At The Supported Living Group, we see this every day.

Our creative arts, horticultural, and recreational programs are designed not only to build skills and independence, but also to foster peer relationships and community among brain injury survivors. Whether participants are creating art together, working in the garden, or enjoying recreational activities, these shared experiences create opportunities for encouragement, mentorship, and connection.

Peer relationships help people:
🌱 Build confidence in their recovery
🎨 Share strategies and lived experiences
🤝 Develop meaningful friendships
🌟 See what’s possible through others’ successes

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, we celebrate the power of community and the importance of spaces where survivors can support one another on the path forward.

💚 Recovery is stronger when it happens together.

When we are ill, we need expertise more than ever, yet our agency feels fragile. The best clinicians recognize this, a patient writes.

03/02/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month! At SLG, we're committed to supporting those affected by traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and raising awareness about this often invisible condition that impacts millions.

Did you know? Every year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury.

In 2021, TBI contributed to about 70,000 deaths in the U.S., with over 200,000 hospitalizations annually.

More than 5 million people in the U.S. are living with a permanent TBI-related disability—that's about 1 in 60 Americans.

Long-term effects can include chronic pain in up to 60% of survivors (even 30 years later), depression in nearly two-thirds within seven years, and changes in cognition, behavior, or mobility.

Whether caused by falls, accidents, sports, or violence, TBIs can happen to anyone. Let's spread the word, support survivors, and advocate for better prevention and resources.
awareness!

02/25/2026

🧠 Cognitive Games & Brain Injury Recovery

A recent article from Futurity highlights promising research that cognitive games may offer benefits for individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) — potentially supporting processing speed, memory, and overall cognitive engagement.

Read the research here:
https://www.futurity.org/cognitive-games-traumatic-brain-injury-3323522/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cognitive-games-traumatic-brain-injury-3323522

At The Supported Living Group, we know that brain injury recovery is multifaceted; involving not just medical treatment, but meaningful cognitive stimulation, purposeful activity, and personalized support. Integrating engaging cognitive activities like structured games can be one tool among many to support cognitive wellness and resilience.

🧩 Whether it’s memory tasks, pattern recognition, problem-solving, or goal-directed play, cognitive engagement can complement therapy, daily routines, and rehabilitation goals.

If you or a loved one are navigating the challenges of brain injury recovery, know that there are evidence-informed strategies, including tailored cognitive engagement, that can help enhance quality of life and cognitive functioning.

Computer exercises improve the brain’s pathways after traumatic brain injury, according to new research.

02/19/2026

Brain Injury & Homelessness: A Critical Connection — Especially in Connecticut

A recent Conversation article highlights research showing that brain injury is nearly 10× more common among people experiencing homelessness and that addressing this connection is key to reducing homelessness overall.

In Connecticut, homelessness has been rising for several years. According to the most recent Point-in-Time Count, 3,735 people were experiencing homelessness statewide in 2025, which is up more than 9% from the previous year, with a 45% jump in unsheltered homelessness alone.

Read more here: https://theconversation.com/brain-injury-is-almost-10-times-more-common-in-unhoused-people-addressing-it-is-key-to-reducing-homelessness-270162

For individuals living with brain injury, particularly acquired brain injury (ABI), challenges with cognition, emotional regulation, and daily functioning can make housing stability especially difficult without the right supports. This intersection underscores the importance of trauma-informed, community-based care that helps individuals stay housed and engaged in meaningful life roles.

At The Supported Living Group, we see the impact of these challenges firsthand and believe in advancing supports that prevent homelessness and promote community stability for people with brain injury.

An estimated 22.5 per cent of people experiencing homelessness live with moderate or severe brain injuries — a rate nearly 10 times higher than the general population.

02/13/2026

💖 Our Inspire Arts program is all about creativity, connection, and the power of love. Take a look at these beautiful handmade hearts, each crafted by our artists for someone special in their lives. Every color, every message, and every detail is a reminder that love can shine brightly, even after a brain injury.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.” – Nat King Cole

Wishing everyone a Valentine’s Day filled with love, joy, and connection! ❤️

02/12/2026

💙 Brain Injury and Relationships: Why Connection Matters 💙

Romantic relationships and emotional connections can be deeply affected by brain injury. Many survivors face challenges with communication, intimacy, and confidence—but connection is a critical part of recovery.

Our latest blog explores:
✨ How brain injury impacts romantic relationships
✨ The importance of maintaining independence while building connection
✨ Avoiding infantilization and supporting autonomy
✨ Practical strategies for survivors and their partners

At The Supported Living Group, we help adults with brain injury in Connecticut rebuild meaningful relationships while promoting emotional well-being and independence.

📖 Read the full blog here: https://www.supportedlivinggroup.org/abi-blog/brain-injury-in-connecticut-how-romantic-relationships-and-connection-are-affected-and-why-support-matters

02/12/2026

A recent study published in Neurology found that people who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether mild or severe, are significantly more likely to qualify for long-term work disability up to five years after the injury compared to those without a brain injury. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260211/Traumatic-brain-injury-linked-to-long-term-work-disability.aspx

This research shows that challenges with work capacity can persist long after the initial injury, emphasizing that recovery isn’t always linear and that long-term support matters.

At The Supported Living Group, we know that every person’s journey after brain injury is unique. Work, routines, and independence can look different post-injury, and that’s okay. What matters most is that individuals receive the individualized, long-term rehabilitation and support they need to thrive in their communities and daily lives.

🤝 Whether it’s vocational support, skill-building, or community connection, we’re here to walk alongside survivors and families every step of the way.

Having a traumatic brain injury, no matter how serious, is associated with a greater likelihood of qualifying for work disability up to five years later, according to a study published February 11, 2026, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

02/06/2026

Love is in the air at SLG 💕

Our brain injury support participants have been getting creative in preparation for Valentine’s Day! Painting, crafting, and expressing what love, connection, and joy mean to them.

These moments aren’t just about art; they’re about confidence, self-expression, and community.

Every creation tells a story, and we’re honored to support the process. 💌