Liz Fitzpatrick & Linda Foley 11 th September 2019 Sibshop - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Liz Fitzpatrick & Linda Foley 11 th September 2019 Sibshop Ireland

Brothers and sisters have so much to offer their family and the wider community

Sibling have the longest lasting relationship with the person with Special Needs Sibshop Ireland

‘My sister’s autism pulled us apart and brought us together many times in the past and will probably continue to do so in the future’ (Seltzer & Krauss 2002) Sibshop Ireland

Concerns of Siblings  Over identification  Embarrassment  Guilt  Isolation from parents  Lack of information  Increased responsibilities  Pressure to achieve  Isolation from peers  Concerns about future responsibilities Sibshop Ireland

Positive Outcomes for siblings  Compassion  Career choices  Tolerance  Humour  Awareness  Pride  Resilient  Independent  Maturity  Friendships  Appreciation for  Perks! family Sibshop Ireland

 What are Sibshops and the goals of Sibshops  A typical Sibshop  Discussion activities  Statistics  Feedback  What siblings would like parents to know  Sibling Support Sibshop Ireland

What is a Sibshop event  Sibshops are events that are 80% interaction games that are lively and fun and 20% discussion activities.  They are for children aged 8-12yrs with a sibling with special needs over the age of 2 ½yrs . Sibshop Ireland

Goals for Sibshops  Meet other brothers and sisters  To discuss common joys and concerns  Discuss situations commonly experienced Sibshop Ireland

Typical Sibshop Schedule 2.30 – 5pm  Facetags  Name Game  Strengths & Weaknesses  Peg Game  Balloon Duo  Feelings on a rope  Mummy  Break – make Pizza Pittas & Ice buns!  Mystery Capsule  Sightless Sculpture  Triangle Tag  Sound off & Closure Sibshop Ireland

Discussion activities  Having open conversations about the challenges of having a sibling with Special Needs is a gift that a lot of siblings are never given.  Siblings tell us that nothing compares to discussing their experiences with someone who “gets it” . Meyer & Hol 2014 Sibshop Ireland

Common concerns  Worries about medical issues  Friends over and difficulties – friends want to play with their sibling or their sibling wrecks their games  Embarrassed when a meltdown happens out in public  Difficulties in public/restaurants including having to leave Sibshop Ireland

Sibshop Ireland

Sibshop Ireland

Statistics….. 101 children have attended a Sibshop with us – 100 of these children said they want to attend again! 1 child said maybe! Sibshop Ireland

Feedback….  “My son was gushing about it and any other activity normally only warrants a grunt!!!! I think the term he used was "Epic"!”  “My son had a really great time! It was just what he needed. Thank you so much and looking forward to the next one!”  “I just wanted to let you know that my son really enjoyed the Sibshop yesterday. He came home buzzing about how great it was and how lucky he was to have a sister with Down syndrome so that he could go to it”.  “I had no idea what a Sibshop was before now, and I can really see the benefit. Thank you!” Sibshop Ireland

What siblings would like parents to know  Include both sons &  Opportunities to obtain daughters information  Communication  Acknowledging siblings  Celebrate every child's concerns achievement and  Expectations for milestones typically developing  Parents perspective is siblings & sibling with more important than the SN actual disability  Expect typical behaviour from typically developing siblings Sibshop Ireland

Cont ….  Treat equally  Honesty  Praise  Permission to live my own life  Hugs  Involve in goal settings  Attend school functions  Value as an individual (not  All have chores “so & so’s brother”) and  Acknowledge all show an interest accomplishments & efforts  Opportunities to meet  One to one time & other sibs uninterrupted attention  Special needs trust and  Include in conversations! plan for the future Sibshop Ireland

Sibling Support  Books  Sibling Support Project  SibNet  SibTeen  Sib20 Sibshop Ireland

Thank You for Listening Sibshop Ireland

Any Questions…  liz.mckone@hotmail.com  lindfoley@gmail.com Sibshop Ireland