Sibling Issues in Families Who Sibling Issues in Families Who Have a Child With a DisabilityHave a Child With a Disability

Doug and Lynn RichardsDoug and Lynn Richards

IntroductionIntroductionUsUsOur FamilyOur FamilyFOJKFOJK

Historical PerspectivesHistorical Perspectives

Historical PerspectivesHistorical PerspectivesLetter from 1955Letter from 1955

Historical PerspectivesHistorical PerspectivesLetter from 1955Letter from 1955DougDoug’’s familys family

Historical PerspectivesHistorical PerspectivesLetter from 1955Letter from 1955DougDoug’’s familys family

Lessons learnedLessons learnedChanges in attitudesChanges in attitudesFamilies enrichedFamilies enriched……

ExperienceExperienceOurs Ours –– Early years with LaurenEarly years with Lauren

TherapistsTherapistsPhysiciansPhysiciansExtended familyExtended familyFrustrationsFrustrations

ExperienceExperienceOurs Ours -- CommunicationCommunication

Including LaurenIncluding LaurenOne on one One on one ConversationsConversations

ExperienceExperienceOurs Ours –– ConversationsConversations

““Your sister canYour sister can’’t do ____, so these exercises will help.t do ____, so these exercises will help.””““Your sister can do _____, but not ____ yet.Your sister can do _____, but not ____ yet.””““How can you include your sister in this game? Ill playHow can you include your sister in this game? Ill playthe next round with just you.the next round with just you.””

ExperienceExperienceOurs Ours –– MarriageMarriage

Healing Healing SelfSelfEach otherEach other

ExperienceExperienceOthers Others –– Author Mary McHughAuthor Mary McHugh

““Special Siblings Special Siblings ––Growing Up WithGrowing Up WithSomeone With A DisabilitySomeone With A Disability””

ExperienceExperienceOthers Others –– Mary McHughMary McHughAcknowledging and dealing with feelings inAcknowledging and dealing with feelings inadolescence and adulthoodadolescence and adulthood

GuiltGuiltAngerAngerEmbarrassmentEmbarrassmentGriefGrief

ExperienceExperienceOthers Others –– Mary McHughMary McHugh

Acknowledgement of needing helpAcknowledgement of needing helpWays to find helpWays to find helpTalking to othersTalking to others

ExperienceExperienceMarianneMarianne’’s storys story

She is 52, John is 55She is 52, John is 55Cognitively delayedCognitively delayed8 yrs old; teen years 8 yrs old; teen years MotherMother’’s death; fathers death; father’’s deaths deathNo one to assist No one to assist

ExperienceExperienceMarianneMarianne’’s Storys Story

Lessons learnedLessons learnedSpend time Spend time

ExperienceExperienceMarianneMarianne’’s Storys Story

Lessons learnedLessons learnedSpend time Spend time Inclusion in discussions Inclusion in discussions

ExperienceExperienceMarianneMarianne’’s Storys Story

Lessons learnedLessons learnedSpend time Spend time Inclusion in discussions Inclusion in discussions Earlier transitionsEarlier transitions

ExperienceExperienceMarianneMarianne’’s Storys Story

Lessons learnedLessons learnedSpend time Spend time Inclusion in discussions Inclusion in discussions Earlier transitionsEarlier transitions

Resources for empowermentResources for empowermentThe Normal One The Normal One –– Life With a Difficult or Damaged Sibling,Life With a Difficult or Damaged Sibling,

Jeanne Safer PhDJeanne Safer PhDSpecial Siblings Special Siblings –– Growing Up With Someone With A Disability,Growing Up With Someone With A Disability,Mary McHughMary McHughCoping With A Physically Challenged Brother or Sister, LindaCoping With A Physically Challenged Brother or Sister, LindaLee Lee RattoRatto MedMedSibshopsSibshops –– Workshops for Siblings of Children With SpecialWorkshops for Siblings of Children With SpecialNeeds, D.J. Meyer, P.F. Needs, D.J. Meyer, P.F. VadasyVadasy

Resources for empowermentResources for empowermentWeb Articles by Jodie DawsonWeb Articles by Jodie Dawson

www.schwablearning.orgwww.schwablearning.org/articles/articleswww.thearc.org/faqs/qawww.thearc.org/faqs/qa--siblings.htmlsiblings.html

Google Google ““Don MeyerDon Meyer”” to find information on Sibling Support Projectto find information on Sibling Support Project