SAS GROUPSAS GROUPSAS GROUPSAS GROUPSiblings Are SpecialSiblings Are Special

Presented by Barbara Micucci & Avery Carter

Goals• Review the current research• Discuss the implementation and

planning of the SAS group• Discuss the importance of family

involvement • Discuss the system-wide impact of the

group

Word List

Prevalence

• In the United States, there are approximately six million children with disabilities

• “80% of disabled children have non-disabled siblings” (Atkinson & Crawforth, 1995)

Difficulties for Siblings• Lack of attention from other family

members• Limited opportunities for affective

expression• Isolation from peers in similar

circumstances • Inadequate information about the

sibling’s disability

Common Concerns & Feelings

• Stressful home life• Limits on family activities and outings• Worrying about bringing friends home• Concern regarding caregiving• Being teased or bullied about their sibling • Feeling guilty• Being embarrassed• Feeling angry or jealous• Feeling pressure to excel

Variables that Affect the Sibling’s Adjustment

• Family resources• Family lifestyle• Parent’s child-rearing practices• Kind and severity of the disability• Age difference between siblings • Any other stress-producing conditions that exist in the

family• Existing coping mechanisms and interaction patterns • Kind and quality of the community support services• Family culture• The attitude of parents toward child

Positive Characteristics of Sibs

• Empathy• Altruism • Tolerance• Understanding• Maturity• Pride regarding sibling’s accomplishments• Sense of loyalty and caring towards sibling

What the Research Shows…“If children feel safe, supported and valued, are able to share information and feelings, and feel they can solve problems, make choices and have some control over their lives, they will develop greater self-esteem, strength and resilience.” (Strohm, 2004, as cited in Conway & Meyer, 2008)

What the Research Shows…• School professionals should be sensitive to the needs of

non-disabled siblings.• School professionals should support the development of

good self-esteem in these siblings, possibly through sibling support groups.

• School professionals should also support these students by supporting their families as a whole and referring them to family counseling if necessary when problem-solving communication and coping skills are low. (Sgandurra & Fish, 2001)

How the Research is Being Used…

• Sibshops: Workshops for Siblings with Special Needs– From the Sibling Support Project– Support on a national level – Goals of Sibshops:

• Allows siblings to meet other children with disabled siblings • Provides a place to discuss common concerns • Provides an opportunity for sibs to learn how to deal with

difficult situations• Provides a place for siblings to learn about their sibling’s

disability• Allows parents and guardians to learn about the difficulties

surrounding having a sibling with a disability

If I could tell my friends

just one thing that is bad

about having a sib with

special needs, it would be:

“It’s bad because Angelo

can’t play with me. We

also get treated

differently and I don’t

think it’s fair.”

If I could tell my friends

just one thing that is bad

about having a sib with

special needs, it would be:

“Megan always gets

attention.”

Types of Disabilities• Autism• Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)• Cerebral Palsy• Legal Blindness• Deafness• Intellectual and Developmental Disability• Lissencephaly (smooth brain)

Impact on the Families• Not a lot of alone time with parents• Therapists come to the house• Hard time understanding their sibling• Don’t have family mealtimes• Sibling gets a lot of attention• Sibling does things that bothers them – talks

loud, pulls hair

Feelings Children Experience• Sad• Mad• Frustrated• Special• Annoyed• Different

Advice for Approaching a Child with a Disability

• Smile• Say “Hi”• Don’t be scared if they get angry – they

may not speak and might behave wrong• Treat them the same• Ask them to play

– Be nice and polite

Student Data - 2010 • Eight out of the 9 students enjoyed coming each week a lot

or a little • Favorite activities:

– Making the graffiti page– Sharing their books

• Least favorite part:– That the group was during lunch/recess time

• Half of the group said that it helped him/her understand their sibling better

• Eight out of 9 wanted to be a “buddy” to the VB class

Parent Data• Parents reported that all of the students enjoyed coming to

SAS • Parents reported that 8 out of 9 students talked at least a

little bit more at home • Regarding their feelings about the book:

– Loved spending time working on it with my child and hearing his point of view

– Anger and frustration about sibling came out that the parent wasn’t aware of

– Brought up facts that were never discussed before about the disability

Parent Data• When asked if the book opened up new conversations:

– Yes, it made us realize how much the disability affects our lives– Yes, it allowed us to talk about great things we do as a family and how

special we are

• When asked whether the group was helpful for their child:– Yes, I felt it helped her to learn about other disabilities and realize

how everyone is special and shouldn’t be bullied– The group normalized her feelings and she made a friend who

understands – The group helped her to not feel so alone

Student Data - 2011

• Five out of the 9 students returned, and one new student was added

• Comments about what they liked from last year:– Doing the announcements for Autism Awareness – Going to the VB class– Meeting other kids who have disabled siblings– Making the books

• Four out of 5 students wanted to help in the VB class again

The Slam BookMy name is Lauren. I am 7 years old, and I live with my mom, my dad, my sister Kathryn, my dog Chipwich, and my fish. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is pink. My favorite place to go is Tennessee. I love playing on the playground outside and riding my bike. When I’m inside I like to read, watch TV, and do art. I’m really good at reading. It makes me feel happy when I’m reading by myself.

The Slam BookMy name is Amanda. I am 10 years old, and I live with my mom, my dad, and my two brothers. My favorite food is pizza. My favorite color is pink. My favorite place to go is Disney World. I love playing hide-and-seek outside, but when I’m inside I like to play UNO, and I’m really good at art, softball, and being cute. It makes me feel happy when I get my phone! My birthday is September 29th. I can be very fun and awesome, and I love chocolate!

An Adult PerspectiveShe had a very positive experience with my sister growing up.

“It was like having a little sister who never grew up. She was just always 6.”

Any thoughts?

Directions to Access My Website

• Type in www.umasd.org• Click on the word “Staff” in gold• Click on letter M• Find Micucci, Barbara and click on it• On left side of counselor page look for title

“2011 PSCA Workshop – SAS Group”

Contact Info

Barb Micucci, School Counselor

Caley Elementary

Upper Merion Area School District

610-205-3689

bmicucci@umasd.org

www.umasd.org

References• Barak-Levy, Y., Goldstein, E., & Weinstock, M. (2010). Adjustment characteristics of healthy siblings of children with

autism. Journal of Family Studies, 16, 155-164. • Conway, S., & Meyer, D. (2008). Developing support for siblings of young people with disabilities. Support for Learning,

23, 113-117.• Hartwell-Walker, M. (2006). What About Me? — Support for the Siblings of Disabled Children. Psych Central. Retrieved

on November 8, 2011, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/what-about-me-support-for-thesiblings-of-disabled-children/

• Kaiser Permanente – Department of Genetics. (2008). Sibling of your special needs child. Retrieved from http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/specialty/genetics/resources/handouts.jsp

• Macks, R.J., & Reeve, R.E. (2007). The adjustment of non-disabled siblings of children with autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37, 1060-1067.

• McCullough, K., & Simon, S.R. (2011). Feeling heard: A support group for siblings of children with developmental disabilities. Social Work with Groups, 34, 320-329.  

• National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities. (1994). Children with disabilities: Understanding sibling issues. Retrieved from http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/disabsibling.html

• Naylor, A., & Prescott, P. (2004). Invisible children? The need for support groups for siblings of disabled children. British Journal of Special Education, 31, 199-206.

• Sgandurra, C.A., & Fish, M.C. (2001). The social-emotional development of siblings of children with disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED457467.pdf

Books• Gainer, C. (1998). I’m like you, you’re like me: A child’s book about understanding and

celebrating each other. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing. • Meyer, D. (Eds.). (2005). The sibling slam book: What it’s really like to have a brother or sister

with special needs. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, Inc.• Morvay, B.J. (2009). My brother is different. Ashland, OH: BookMasters, Inc.• Notbohm, E. (2005). Ten things every child with autism wishes you knew. Retrieved from

http://www.ellennotbohm.com/article-archive/ten-things-every-child-with-autism-wishes-you-knew/

• Resh, K. (Eds.). (2006). Our friend Mikayla. Raleigh, NC: The Bubel/Aiken Foundation. • Seskin, S., & Shamblin, A. (2002). Don’t laugh at me. Berkely, CA: Tricycle Press.• Stefanski, D. (2011). How to talk to an autistic child. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.