Sibshops

Sibshops is a guidebook for organizing and conducting workshops for siblings of children with a broad variety of special needs. These workshops provide children and young adults with much-needed social and emotional support from their peers in a recreational and fun atmosphere. They can speak openly about how they feel (positively and negatively) about having a brother or sister with special needs in an understanding and supportive environment. New additions to the second edition include a chapter on Sibshops Standards of Practice, advice for service providers and parents from siblings, and techniques for adapting the program to younger children or teenagers.

“"Parents and teachers will glean valuable insights with or without a Sibshops program."”

This article was in April 29, 2009 CEC SmartBrief. Link to Amazon book page

Don Meyer, M.Ed. is the Founder of the Sibling Support Project and creator of Sibshops. Meyer created the Sibling Support Project, a Washington State-based international program dedicated to the lifelong concerns of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns. Don was the director of the Sibling Support Project from 1990-2019 and has conducted workshops on sibling issues and trainings on the Sibshop model in all 50 states and in eleven countries. He is the editor of The Sibling Slam Book: What It's Really Like to Have a Brother or Sister with Special Needs (Woodbine House, 2005), Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs (Woodbine House, 1997), and Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on Raising a Child with a Disability (Woodbine House, 1995). With Patricia Vadasy, Mr. Meyer wrote Living with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs (University of Washington Press, 1996). With Emily Holl, Don co-edited The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults with Disabilities (Woodbine House, 2014). His work has been featured on ABC News and National Public Radio and in Newsweek, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Don is married to Terry DeLeonardis, a special education preschool teacher and consultant. They have four children and two grandchildren.

Patricia Vadasy, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Scientist at Oregon Research Institute in Eugene, Oregon where she conducts research on early reading instruction. She is most interested in research to help children at risk for reading disabilities and children who are dual language learners. Patricia and her colleagues have developed programs that paraeducator tutors can effectively use to supplement instruction for beginning readers. Patricia also works with colleagues at Influents Innovations in Eugene to translate educational research findings into technology-based interventions for underserved students and families.

Sibshops is a guidebook for organizing and conducting workshops for siblings of children with a broad variety of special needs. These workshops provide children and young adults with much-needed social and emotional support from their peers in a recreational and fun atmosphere. They can speak openly about how they feel (positively and negatively) about having a brother or sister with special needs in an understanding and supportive environment. New additions to the second edition include a chapter on Sibshops Standards of Practice, advice for service providers and parents from siblings, and techniques for adapting the program to younger children or teenagers.

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