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The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.

We believe that disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members.  Consequently, we want to increase the peer support and information opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special needs and to increase parents' and providers' understanding of sibling issues.

Our mission is accomplished by training local service providers on how to create community-based peer support programs for young siblings; hosting workshops, listservs, and websites for young and adult siblings; and increasing parents' and providers' awareness of siblings' unique, lifelong, and ever-changing concerns through workshops, websites, and written materials.

Special messages for:

 

Our newest book is now available!

Thicker than Water: Essays by adult siblings of people with disabilities

Thicker Than WaterIn this thought-provoking essay collection, thirty-nine adult siblings (ages 20 to 70) reflect on how their lives have been indelibly shaped by their relationship with a brother or sister with special needs. Edited by Don Meyer, Thicker than Water reveals both positive and negative aspects of growing up with someone who might have received the lion’s share of his parents’ attention or who now requires extra support as an adult.  Authors include Rachel Simon (Riding the Bus with My Sister), Mary McHugh (Special Siblings), Kate Strohm (Being the Other One), Veronica Chater (Waiting for the Apocalypse), Edgar-award winning author Nancy Werlin, filmakers Jeff Daly (Where's Molly?), Jennifer Owensby (The Teachings of Jon), and Susan Hamovitch (Without Apology), Kim Keprios (Ex. Director of the Arc of the Great Twin Cities), Doreen Croser (Ex. Director of the American Association of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities), disability activist Jeff Moyer and many others!

(Read advance reviews.  Read an excerpt.)

To learn more and order now, click here!

 

The new edition of Sibshops: Workshops for Siblings of Children with Sibshops: Workshops for siblings of children with special needs, new editionSpecial Needs is now available!

  • Read more about Sibshops
  • Read praise from Ann Turnbull, Rachel Simon, Ann Kaiser, and others for Sibshops
  • Order a copy of Sibshops

 

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What's New

SibTeen Update!

SibTeen logo
Our really cool SibTeen Facebook and Yahoo groups were attracting many members from Australia, so we invited our friends at Siblings Australia to co-host SibTeen with us!  We're so glad to have them on board!  Welcome!



Sibshop logo red and black
The only way to become a first-generation Sibshop facilitator is to attend a two-day Sibshop training.  But adult sibs, parents, service providers, university students and others often join us for the first day for a lively and rewarding discussion of sibs' issues across the lifespan.  We hope you can join us!
 
Here are confirmed dates for upcoming workshops and Sibshop trainings.  See additional workshops, retreats, and Sibshop trainings by visiting our online training calendar

To register and to learn more about costs, etc., please contact the host agencies directly:
 
Friday and Saturday March 9 and 10, 2012
Two-day Sibshop Training
Norman, Oklahoma (Near Oklahoma City)
Hosts: DSACO, ODDC, OSDE, and Oklahoma Sibshop Initiative
Registration contact: Lori Wathen 405-271-5700 x45180
 
Friday and Saturday April 20 and 2, 2012
Two-day Sibshop Training
Little Rock, Arkansas
Host: Partners for Inclusive Communities
Registration contact: Judy Young 800-342-2923; 501-682-9900
 
Friday and Saturday May 4 and 5, 2012
Two-day Sibshop Training
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Host: Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support at Saint Joseph's University
Registration contact: Theresa Gill 610-660-2183
 
 
Dates to be announced!
Two-day Sibshop Training
Jamestown, New York
Host: Chautauqua Tapestry
Hosted At: The Resource Center 
Registration Contact:  Victoria Patti 716-753-4519
 
 
Saturday and Sunday September 14 and 15, 2012
Two-day Sibshop Training
Vancouver, British Columbia
Host: ACT--Autism Community Training
Registration contact: 604-205-5467 or info@actcommunity.net
 
 
Want to schedule a Sibshop training in your community?  Drop us a line at info@siblingsupport.org

SibTeen logo
Introducing SibTeen!  For quite a while, we have been wanting to create a place on the internet just for teenage brothers and sisters.  We're happy to announce that SibTeen is available as a Yahoogroup and a Facebook group.  Learn more about SibTeen here!

The Arc of King County in Seattle produced an excellent video about sibling issues and Sibshops.  It's almost 15 minutes long, but provides great insights from sibs of different ages and cultural backgrounds.  So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and check it out!  We've been on television, radio and in newspapers quite a bit lately.  Check out our media page!

And in other news, Don Meyer was quoted in the New York Times on April 13 and Sibshops were discussed on CNN on April 18th and again on the NPR's Diane Rehm Show on April 20th.

There are now over 350 Sibshops worldwide!

Do you want to start a Sibshop?  Sure you do!  They're fun, rewarding for everyone, and affordable.  
 

Have you seen our new blog?  Sibling Stories features short essays by siblings of people with disabilities.


Click here to see an extensive list of sibling-related books!

 Sibshop sisters

Get the same great deals you always get at Amazon.com while supporting the work of the Sibling Support Project!  Visit the Sibling Support Project's Amazon Associate Astore for a great selection of products, purchase a gift card, or purchase anything anywhere on Amazon and benefit the work of the Sibling Support Project!

 

 Other news:

 

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