Sibling Leadership Network Webinar with Autism NOW December 20, 2011

8/3/2019 Sibling Leadership Network Webinar with Autism NOW December 20, 2011

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Massachusetts Siblin



NO SIBLINGS LEFT BEHIND

SUPPORTING SIBLINGS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES



INTRODUCING THE PRESENTER

Janet Thibeau

• Vice President of Strategic Operations at the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network (she provides guidance to the Executive Committee on operational and logistical aspecinitiatives.

• Principal of Barlow Thibeau Associates, which offers educational advocacy, conflict mecoaching services.

• Adult sibling of an older brother with learning disabilities.

• Mother of 5 children who have learning and developmental disabilities.

Massachusetts Sibling Su



A GENDA

The Sibling Experience

• Supporting Siblings Throughout their Life

• The Sibling Movement

•Questions and Answers




• People with disabilities are living longer than before

• Many people with disabilities now live at home until their parentslonger provide care

• Funding options at the state and government level are decreasing

W HY SIBLINGS?




F ACTORS THAT IMPACT THE SIBLING EXPERIENCE




Challenges Opportunities

Over-identification with their sibling Increased maturity

Embarrassment Increased sense of self and independence

Guilt Wisdom and insight

Isolation, loneliness, and loss Tolerance

Resentment Pride

Increased responsibilities Vocational opportunities

Pressure to achieve Well developed advocacy skills

Parentification Social skills

UNUSUAL CHALLENGES, UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Massachusetts Sibling SuMeyer, D.J., & Vadasy, P. F. (1994). Sibshops: workshops for siblingsof children with special needs.Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes



DIVERSE FINDINGS




A GENDA

•The Sibling Experience

Supporting Siblings Throughout their Life As Children As Adults As Caregivers

• The Sibling Movement• Questions and Answers




LOOKING BACK: W HAT SIBLINGS SAY …

“ In some ways, my childhood was completely typical – I had friends, Iactivities, I was my own person. In other ways, it was completely aty

talked about my brother, never brought friends home, and never wantintersect with mine outside of our house.” DM

“ I learned very early how to judge people. Most of my friends never cahouse. Only my closest friends were welcome because I knew I wouldexplain the locks on everything, and all the other things we had in the

my brother safe.”

MP

“ One day when I was 14, my 10 year old brother streaked through the hsome friends were over. I made a joke about it but inside, I was mortif




PROACTIVE PLANNING: GIVING SIBLINGS A VOICE




Y OUNG SIBLINGS: HOW P ARENTS CAN HELP




“ How did I spend my teens? Hemom and dad take care of my sdid I go to college? As far away

possible.” -CR

College

LifeCareer

COLLEGE, C AREER , LIFE




20 SOMETHING AND BEYOND




T AKING ON THE CAREGIVING ROLE

Research shows that siblings who take on “parental-

type” roles make very different choices than parentsregarding their brothers’ and sisters’ needs.

“ When my mom dies, my brothers assume I will takeover caring for our sister. I can’ t say no, but how will I do that? ” HR

“ My parents were very protective of my brother. As I took over caring for him, I did some things verydifferently. He and I got closer as his world expanded and blended into mine.” ES




SIBLINGS AS CAREGIVERS




A GENDA

• The Sibling Experience

• Supporting Siblings Throughout their Life

The Sibling Movement Nationally Locally

What You can do

• Questions and Answers




• Support siblings

• Encourage leadership• Promote family policy initiatives

N ATIONAL LEVEL: SIBLING LEADERSHIP NETWORK




LOCALLY : M ASSACHUSETTS SIBLING SUPPORT NETWORK

The goal of The Massachusetts Sibling Support Network (MSSN) issiblings of people with disabilities in Massachusetts.

This support is offered across the sibling’s lifespan and includes prinformation, creating welcoming communities for siblings, and imp

access to sibling services.




W HAT CAN YOU DO?




RESOURCES • Massachusetts Sibling Support Network

www.masiblingsupport.org, [email protected]

617 807 0558

• Sibparentsiblingsupport.org/connect/sibparent-a-listserv-just-for-parents

• Sibling Support Project www.siblingsupport.org

• Sibling Leadership Network siblingleadership.org




A GENDA

• The Sibling Experience• Supporting Siblings Throughout their Life• The Sibling Movement

Questions and Answers


Documents

Sibling Leadership Network Webinar with Autism NOW December 20, 2011