Aspire Children's Services
Primary Contact: Debby Mayo, Manager of Family Support Services
Aspire
1815 Wolf Road
Hillside, IL 60162
Phone: 708-236-0979
www.aspireofillinois.org
Sibshop Description: Siblings from the age of 5 and older are
welcome to participate in activities to meet each other, have fun, share experiences,and
learn about the joys and challenges of having a brother or sister with special
needs.
JCFS Sibshops
Primary Contact: Tammy Besser
Jewish Child and Family Services
255 Revere Drive, Suite 200
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: 773-467-3751
www.jcfs.org
Sibshop Description: Monthly Sunday afternoon Sibshops at our
Northbrook location for siblings ages 5-12; Sibshops can be provided at other
locations upon request.
Advocate Illinois Masonic Pediatric Developmental Center
Sibshops
Primary Contact: Sheila Swann-Guerrero
Advocate Illinois Masonic Pediatric Developmental Center
3040 N. Wilton
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: 773-296-8127
Sibshop Description: The Advocate Illinois Masonic PDC Sibshop
provides siblings (5-18 years) of brothers and sisters with a disability with
a host of opportunities, including; Bi-weekly Evening Sibshops, Bi-monthly
Saturday Sibshops, Monthly Teen Dinner Club, Summer Mini-Day Camp Sibshops
and Family programs for parents and all family members.
SIBS Network Sibshops
Primary Contact: Tara Conley
Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters
3800 North Lake Shore Drive
#3E
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 708-989-3619
www.sibsnetwork.org
Sibshop Description: Sibshops are provided for organizations by request .Presentations on the sibling topic are also provided per request. SIBS provides support and information to adult siblings looking to connect with others; provides info to families and service providers looking to support brothers and sisters; and SIBS is a co-sponsor of Family Sibday
Autism Speaks Chicagoland Sibshop
Primary Contact: Liz Klug
Autism Speaks Chicagoland Chapter
2700 S. River Road, Suite 203
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 224-567-8477
http://communities.autismspeaks.org/site/c.ihLPK1PDLoF/b.7742437/k.D247/Siblings_Workshops.htm
Sibshop Description: Autism Speaks offers a peer support, educational and recreational program for siblings ages 8 – 12 who have a brother or sister with autism. The monthly two-hour sessions provide a mix of hands-on educational and recreational activities, along with the opportunity to share common experiences, joys, concerns and how to handle situations typically encountered by siblings.
Blazing Prairie Stars
47W.635 Beith Rd
Maple Park, IL 60151
630-365-5550
www.blazingprairiestars.com
Super Sibs at the Farm brings together brothers and sisters
of children with special needs to share a unique experience designed just
for them. Through games and ground work with horses, siblings learn about
horse families as a way to explore their feelings about their own special
families. Activities will allow group members to work together cooperatively,
play horse games, observe horse communication and dynamics, as well as learn
to groom and care for the horses. This group is sponsored by Hoofbeats and
Heartbeats.
UPS for DownS Sibshops
Primary Contact: Jim Ford
UPS for DownS
Hartford Plaza
1070 S. Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
708-349-9669
http://www.upsfordowns.org
Sibshop Description: Sibshops are offered periodically (about 3/year) to 7-12 year old siblings of children with Down syndrome.
Communication Clubhouse in Downers Grove
2901 Finely Road, Suite #102
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (630) 495-6800
FAX: (630) 495-8200
comclubhouse@aol.com
www.communicationclubhouse.com
“Siblings R Special 2!”:
Meet other siblings in a relaxed and fun setting. Being brother or sister
to a special needs child can be a joy . . . and a challenge at times, too.
In this group, feelings about that relationship can be voiced, recognized
and honored. Our group allows siblings to have their own “special”
time to address their concerns and to be the center of attention. Siblings
share their common experiences, concerns and strategies for coping.
Little Friends, Inc. in Naperville
Sibling Support Groups
Sibling support groups are available for the brothers and sisters of students
who are enrolled in Krejci Academy, The Bridge, In-Home Support or the Group
Home for Children with Autism.
Siblings groups offer fun activities as well as a chance for children to meet other boys ad girls who understand what it is like to have a sibling with severe disabilities. Children are encouraged to talk about their feeling or experiences in a relaxed, casual atmosphere under the guidance of a professional therapist. Groups are held periodically based on the interest level of families.
For more information: 630-355-6533
Charlie's Gift
Charlie's Gift (Hinsdale) 415 W. 8th Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
630.323.7500, ext. 230
Charlie's Gift (Downers Grove)1048 W. Ogden Ave., Suite 130
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630.810.1200
www.charliesgiftautismcenter.org
Oakhill Wellness & Counseling Center
Sibtime is a fun, non-threatening supportive experience where
children and adolescents come together to have the opportunity to learn about
their brother’s/sister’s disability, learn about themselves and
share what it is like to have a sib with special needs. We focus on building
self-esteem and confidence in each participant.
This informal group is designed to be fun for everyone, so we will provide a range of interactive games, opportunity for discussion, and expression of feelings through various activities. All activities are planned according to age appropriateness.
This group is facilitated by Katherine Kubal, LCSW and Stacey Stewart, LCPC.
Both therapists bring years of experience in working with special needs children
and their families.
35 S. Washington St., Suite 300, Naperville, IL
(Catch 35 and Century 21 Building)
SIBLINGS 7-12 YEARS OLD
$40.00 PER SATURDAY SESSION
If you would like more details about the group please call Stacey Stewart, Oakhill Wellness at 630-717-9858, Ext 6 OR view our website at www.oakhillwellness.com.
Easter Seals Joliet Region Sibshops
Primary Contact: Valerie Fuller-Lentz
Easter Seals Joliet Region, Inc.
212 Barney Dr.
Joliet, IL 60435 map
Phone: (815) 927-5465
www.joliet.easterseals.com
Sibshop Description: Available to children first grade through eighth grade, with workshops broken out by age groups. Highschoolers can attend as junior facilitators. For sibs of children with physical and developmental disabilities.
East Central Illinois Sibshop
Primary Contact: Meagan Matthews
The Autism Program at Charleston Transitional Facility
689 Castle Drive
Charleston, IL 61920
217-348-3869
http://www.ctfillinois.org/tap/index.html
Advocate Lutheran General Sibsensations
Primary Contact: Kathryn Smart MS RN CRRN
Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital
1675 Dempster St.
2nd Floor
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-723-9484
Sibshop Description: Sibsensations offers support for siblings of children with developmental and physical disabilities. Siblings meet peers with similar experiences in a fun, friendly atmosphere to discuss common joys and concerns and learn how to handle situations they all face regularly.
Options & Advocacy Sibshops
Primary Contact: Cindy Sullivan
Options & Advocacy
365 Millennium Dr., Suite A
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
815-477-4720 x233
http://www.optionsandadvocacy.org
Sibshop Description: Suppporting the siblings of those we serve.
Forever Sibs
Primary Contact: Tony Tzoubris at 888-907-SIBS or ttzoubris@foreversibs.org
1100 N. River Rd. The Villa
DesPlaines, IL 60016
888-907-SIBS
www.foreversibs.org
Sibshop Description: ForeverSibs was founded in 2009 in an effort to acknowledge the siblings of children who are affected by a rare disease/disorder, or autism. The mission of ForeverSibs is to honor and recognize the unique role of brothers and sisters of children with medical and developmental challenges through social support and education, thereby decreasing their anxiety and isolation.
ForeverSibs is a membership based organization that provides resources, support, and gift packages that are sent in the mail to siblings who have a brother or sister with special needs. A parent, extended family member, or other adult may enroll a child in the program on an annual basis for a nominal cost. Membership fees will help defray the cost of these items and will also support the ForeverSibs Vocational Program. This highly structured, supervised program trains teens and young adults with a rare disease, disorder, or autism to participate in a variety of vocational tasks associated with operating the organization.
KSRA Sibshop
Primary Contact: Shannon Vanatta
Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association (KSRA)
1403 Sycamore Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-761-0406
http://www.siblingsupport.org/portal_memberdata/ksrasibshop
SPEED 802 Sibshops
Primary Contact: Denise Moore
SPEED 802
1125 Division
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
708-481-6100 Ext.3217
http://www.speed802.org
Sibshop Description: Sibshops will be provided to SPEED campus as well as our 15 member school districts that SPEED services.
Sibshops
Primary Contact: Jessie Carson
Fox Valley Special Recreation Association
2121 W. Indian Trail
Aurora, IL 60506
630-677-4222
http://www.siblingsupport.org/portal_memberdata/jessiecarson510
Sibshop Description: Our Sibshops will use the goals and model specified on the Sibshop website.
Morton District #709 Sibshops
Primary Contact: Jennifer Perez
Morton District #709
1050 S. Fourth
Morton, IL 61550
309-266-6989
http://www.siblingsupport.org/portal_memberdata/jenniferperez
Sibshop Description: Morton District #709 and Child and Family Connections #14 are coming together to support our area siblings. We would like to provide fun activities, provide a safe environment and foster relationships for siblings in our community.
Sibshop
Primary Contact: Maria Bellantuono
MGB Services
Building Great Beginnings
P.O. Box 442
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
Phone: 847 533 6224
Sibshop Description: Sibling support group for siblings of children with special needs. (Developmental, Learning, Physical)
St. Clair County Sibshops
Primary Contact: Courtney Lynne Luster
Illinois Center for Autism
548 S. Ruby Ln.
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone: 6182102676
Sibshop Description: We are providing support activities for siblings (ages 7-11) of special needs children. Sibshops are held monthly at rotating facilities.
STAR NET Region IV Family Conference
Primary Contact: Roseann Slaght
STAR NET, Region IV
1000 S. Illinois Street
Belleville, IL 62220
815-389-1077
http://roe.stclair.k12.il.us/starnet
http://www.siblingsupport.org/portal_memberdata/sherikraus
Sibshop Description: This workshop will give children who have siblings with special needs the opportunity to interact and share what it is like to have a sibling with a disability.
Sibling & Parent Workshops on ASD
Sibling Ages: 7 - 18
1415 Bond St, Suite 127 Naperville 60563
630-355-9002
Sibshop Description: Susan Myket, Ph.D. & Associates is pleased to provide ASD Sibling & Parent Workshops for families who have a child with autism spectrum disorder. Siblings of children with ASD face a unique set of challenges. These challenges may have negative effects on the family dynamic and limit opportunities for meaningful sibling interaction. The Sibling Workshop will equip siblings with tools to better understand the child with ASD, to engage their brother or sister, and to promote healthy sibling relationships. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet other siblings and share experiences. The Parent Workshop will provide caretakers with specific techniques to use at home to implement the skills learned in the Workshop.
SIBS: Supporting Important Brothers and Sisters (preteen & teens)- Springfield (The Autism Project of Illinois)
Primary Contact:Katie Bates
TAP
5220 S. Sixth Street Road
Suite 1700
Springfield, IL
217-525-8332
Sibshop Description: Supporting Important Brothers and Sisters is a free workshop specifically designed for pre-teen & teen aged siblings, Middle School through High School, who have a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder. During this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to enjoy activities while getting to know others who share their joys and concerns about growing up with a sibling with a disability. Planned activities include games, arts & crafts, snack and fun group interventions. If your child has food allergies, restrictions or a special diet, please bring a snack for your child.