Bruno Mars Video About His Sister With Down Syndrome

Sibling support

The Down Syndrome Connection has finalised their dates for their Sibling Support Seminar. This program is led by MFT and school counselor, Terese Ghilarducci. and aims to help siblings cope with feelings such as sadness, guilt, embarrassment and anger.

WHAT: Sibling Support Group

WHO: Siblings of all special needs children

WHEN: August 4, 6, 11 and 18 at 10am

COST: $25 per session

RSVP: Marianne at (925) 362-8660 or dscba.step@yahoo.com. Please provide number and age of siblings.

August Sibling Support Group

The Down Syndrome Connection is planning on putting together a sibling support group in the month of August. The group would be open to siblings of all special needs children. It would be a three week (4 session) program where siblings learn how to cope with feelings such as sadness, guilt, embarrassment and anger. There would be a check in and time for each child to share and focus on an art project related to that feeling.
The program would be conducted by Terese Ghilarducci, a licensed MFT and School Counselor who has been working with children with and without dis?abilities for over 17 years. Terese is a long time friend of the Down Syndrome Connection and a member of their Advisory Board.
Sessions would be held August 4th,6th,11th, and 18th. Times will be determined based on interest and availability. Cost: $25 per child per class or $100 for the four week session
If this is something your family would be interested in please contact the Connection at 925-362-8660
or email Marianne at dscba.step@yahoo.com. Please provide number of siblings, their ages and times
that work best for you. You can learn more about the Down Syndrome Connection here.

Siblings and the Least Restrictive Environment

The least restrictive environment requirements of IDEA  provide for students to attend their home school, or school of residence, whenever possible. When not possible, districts are guided to place students as close to home as possible in order to maintain social networks within the community for the family and the student. 

Recently, I came across an issue related to least restrictive environment that is not covered in the Ed Codes. My child with special needs is placed in a school across town. We love the placement and don't mind the extra travel time; it is so worth it! We asked for our child's two younger sisters to be transferred into the same school so they could, like typical siblings, all attend together. 

The results for our kids have been great! They play together at lunch and recess, share friends, and my typically developing child has friends who, while they do not have siblings with special needs themselves, know us, my younger child's sibling and are better able to understand my children when they share the joys, frustrations and even fears of living with a sibling with a progressive disease. 

Unfortunately, the district can move our other two children back to their home school, where they have no friends and have no history or experience. I think the district should treat the school of placement as the home school, and allow siblings of students with special needs to stay together if the family chooses. 

What do you think? Let us know and we will share your ideas with the board!

Gina Hale