Sibshop: Ages 8-12

Sibshops are best described as events. Sibshops are lively, pedal-to-the metal celebrations of the many contributions made by siblings of kids with support needs. Sibshops acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with support needs is for some a good thing, for others a not-so-good thing, and for many somewhere in between. They reflect a belief that siblings have much to offer one another—if they are given a chance. The Sibshop model intersperses information and discussion activities with games (designed to be unique, off-beat, and appealing to a wide ability range), cooking or other recreational activities, and support guests with and without disabilities who may teach participants new skills, such as juggling, or arts. Sibshops are as fun and rewarding for the people who host them as they are for the participants. Sibshops seek to provide siblings with opportunities for peer support. Because Sibshops are designed (primarily) for school-age children, peer support is provided within a lively, recreational context that emphasizes a kids’-eye-view. Sibshops are not therapy, group or otherwise, although their effect may be therapeutic for some children.