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

Liz Fitzpatrick & Linda Foley 11th September 2019

Sibshop Ireland

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

Sibshop Ireland

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)

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  Tolerance  Awareness  Resilient  Maturity  Appreciation for

family

 Career choices  Humour  Pride  Independent  Friendships  Perks!

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

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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

 Opportunities to obtain

information

 Acknowledging siblings

concerns

 Expectations for

typically developing siblings & sibling with SN

 Expect typical behaviour

from typically developing siblings

 Include both sons &

daughters

 Communication  Celebrate every child's

achievement and milestones

 Parents perspective is

more important than the actual disability

Sibshop Ireland

Cont….

 Treat equally  Praise  Hugs  Attend school functions  All have chores  Acknowledge all

accomplishments & efforts

 One to one time &

uninterrupted attention

 Include in conversations!  Honesty  Permission to live my own

life

 Involve in goal settings  Value as an individual (not

“so & so’s brother”) and show an interest

 Opportunities to meet

• ther sibs

 Special needs trust and

plan for the future

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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