Sibshop in St. Louis: Support for Kids Whose Sibling Has a Disability
Lee Anna Sanders, MSW, LCSW
We love working with your anxious and angry kids and teens! We are always on the lookout for great resources to best support our clients. Today, we want to introduce you to Lee Anna Sanders, MSW, LCSW, at St. Louis Arc. Lee Anna hosts Sibshops for kids in St. Louis whose sibling has a disability. We’re excited to have her share more about what Sibshop is!
What is Sibshops, and who is it for?
Siblings of children who have a disability
Tell us about your experience in supporting parents and kids in St. Louis:
In my role as family navigator, I am able to find resources for the entire family. Part of this is helping them access support services or advocacy for their child with a disability. I also assist with housing, utilities, and other financial resources.
How can a child’s disability/diagnosis affect the other members of the family?
A lot of the time, a child with a disability need a lot of support or have medical needs. When this happens, the sibling might not be getting the attention they want, or as much attention as their sibling. This can have emotional side affects. They may also feel alone, like none of their friends understand what it is like to have a sibling with a disability. Sibshops is a way for them to meet others, and find a support system.
How can Sibshop help anxious or angry kids and teens handle their thoughts and feelings about their sibling’s disability/medical history?
In Sibshop we do emotional activities that are fun and interactive. We make it easier to discuss their emotions through a moving activity or art activity. This helps with getting the emotions out in a calm way. They are also able to relate to others in the process.
What does a typical Sibshop meeting or session look like?
We have multiple activities: introductions, a movement activity such as toss the ball and express an emotion, an art activity with coloring the way you feel about specific situations, or conversational activity, where the siblings get to talk about their sibling with a disability in an open way.
What tips do you have about parenting a child whose brother or sister has a disability?
Be open about the diagnosis and help the sibling understand why they might have so many appointments or why people are coming to the house for them.
Do you recommend that kids eligible for Sibshop also go to counseling? Why or why not?
Yes! My second role at the Arc is a counselor. I think it is great for them to find a private area to discuss what's happening in their lives. They can work out problems and problem solve. This is also an area where the attention is only on them.
What support do you offer parents who are wondering how to help their child who is angry or anxious about a sibling’s diagnosis?
I can send activities to do as a family or discuss other options specific to the sitaution.
How can parents learn more and contact you about the program?
My email LSanders@slarc.org or phone 314-817-2269 is a perfect way to connect! I would love to answer any questions!
Parenting a child with a disability can add to parenting stress. If you would like more support for you, check out our Therapeutic Parent Coaching! You can also schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation to learn more and get started! Schedule now!
Compassionate Counseling St. Louis provides specialized anxiety and anger management therapy for kids, teens, and college students. We also provide therapeutic parent support. We work in Clayton, MO and serve kids, teens, and college students throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ladue, University City, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood.