Does Anyone Know If There Is a Support Group for Sibling of Autistic Children?

Hi S.,

It would be helpful to say what town you are in. For instance, in District 200 there is a FREE! sibshop (which is what these groups are usually called) once a year at Jefferson Preschool for older sibs. Anyone can attend. My 8 year old boy did last year and liked it. It was primarily Wheaton, Carol Stream and Warrenville kids.

A friend just sent me one from a place in Naperville, there are others I have heard of but they can cost quite a bit.

If your younger child has an IEP or uses EI services you should ask all the providers or teachers if they know of one. I know that some of the non-profit service groups in the area sometimes run them.

K., Wheaton

Hi! I am looking for the same thing for my girls and then one for us moms! My son who just turned 5 in April has Autism! Is your son verbal at all? Where do you live? I belong to a couple of support groups online and love them but I want a real one to go to!
S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

I think that there are sibling support groups at the Pediatric Development Clinic @ IL Masonic in Chicago. I believe that the Puentes program is the group for children with Autism.

You might be able to find something on bluepuzzlepiece.com.

Look online for Aspire Children's services. They have all kinds of support groups & programs.

Hi S.,
My son has Asperger's and his two kids are Autistic and PDD-NOS. I would die without support! The first Tuesday of every month is the Autism Society of IL chapter meeting at the Schaumburg Township building. They also have a siblings group that meets at the same time though not every week. Email <____@____.com> for full information. Kim is the chapter president. Childcare for the special needs children is also provided during the meeting. If Schaumburg is too far for you to travel there are other chapter meetings in the Chicago area. Here is the website for the Autism Society. http://www.autismillinois.org/. Little Friends in Naperville also have support groups available and are very knowledgeable about other programs in the area. Good luck and hang in there! By the way, make sure you get on the PUNS list and look into childrens waivers if you haven't already. E.