Siblings

When Gabby Abramowitz was younger, she was cautious about inviting new friends to the house. She wasn't sure how they would react to her younger brother, Ben, who is autistic…

Read more: Autism's effect on the "normal siblings"
http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/autisms-effect-normal-siblings-09277321

There is no doubt to say it is very important to support siblings in families having child with disabilities. sometimes we parents realize it when we find it more serious and challenging. For the siblings who grow up in such “unusual” family atmosphere and life comparing with their other peers, we have a lot of concerns and questions, and are willing to seek ways to give them help as much as we can. Here share with you some resources and good articles related to this topic.

Resources within Massachusetts

Massachusetts sibling support network | www.masiblingsupport.org

The MSSN provides education, community-building, and a listing of sibling support groups.

Federation for children with special needs | www.fcsn.org

The FCSN provides information and education, and guidance with the special education system.

Massachusetts advocates for children | www.massadvocates.org

MAC offers legal advocacy regarding a child’s disability, poverty, race, and/or limited English.

Children’s Behavioral health initiative

www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/commissions-and-initiatives/cbhi/

CBHI helps children with mental health needs obtain services to succeed in and out of home.

The Parents’ how-to Guide to children’s Mental health services within Massachusetts

www.bostonbar.org/docs/default-document-library/bbaguide_2011update_2.pdf

This guide helps parents identify the mental health resources and services their children need.

Wayside Youth & Family support network | www.waysideyouth.org

Wayside offers parent and sibling support groups, mental health education, and other services.

Parent/Professional advocacy League | www.ppal.net

P/PAL provides resources, advocacy and useful publications regarding children’s

National Resources

Sibling Support Project | www.siblingsupport.org

The Sibling Support Project offers support and information to siblings across the lifespan.

Sibling Leadership network | www.siblingleadership.org

SLN provides tools, information and support to help siblings advocate for their brothers/sisters.

National alliance on Mental illness (naMi) | www.nami.org/youth

NAMI offers information, support and local programs for families of people with mental illness.

National Mental health services Knowledge exchange network

www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/child/childhealth.asp

This website provides fact sheets, resources and programs geared to mental health issues.

Child & adolescent Bipolar Foundation | www.bpkids.org

CABF offers information, brochures for educators, assessment tools, online forums, and more.

Above resources are provided by Massachusetts sibling support network

For parents, important information and practical suggestions

http://www.autism-society.org/living-with-autism/family-issues/siblings/

http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/mddc/supporting-siblings-2012.pdf (with resources listed above)

http://autismbeacon.com/topics/articles/siblings

For siblings, what about others siblings?

(Parents can share those articles and resource with your children depends on their age level)

For young children (ages 5-10). It is ideal for: parents to help discuss autism in the family, guidance counselors or school psychologists to share with student, developmental pediatricians or other clinical service providers to offer families or have in the waiting room.
Autism, My Sibling, and Me workbook

Ten siblings support their autistic brother
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/30/health/autism-brother-allen-family/

Information for Siblings from Arc:
http://www.thearc.org/siblings

Our Voices are Rising: Siblings of People with Disabilities Speak Out
http://disabilityfieldnotes.com/2014/03/10/our-voices-are-rising-siblings-of-people-with-disabilities-speak-out/

“Supersiblings”---A sibling started blog
http://supersiblings.org

SibKids Yahoo group for younger brothers and sisters
http://www.siblingsupport.org/connect

SibNet Yahoogroup and Facebook group for adult siblings
http://www.siblingsupport.org/connect/the-sibnet-listserv

Sibling related books and movies:
http://www.siblingsupport.org/publications/sibling-related-books-and-movies

Find a Sibshop group near you

http://www.siblingsupport.org/sibshops/find-a-sibshop