Am thinking of setting up a sibling group for kids with a sibling with ASD. Meeting with NAS arranged. What would your kids like from such a group?

[Clarissimo]

Obv. funds limited but what would help? Once a fortnight type group, under sixteens. ??

I'm off to one for the first time tomorrow (ran by the NAS), so I can let you know what they get up to if you like?

Is it JUST for the siblings or do the ASD children go as well?

My DD is 18months so not sure I can help, but looking ahead I like the idea of a postbox for them to post anything that is bothering or troubling them through, and when there are enough get them all together for a 'discussion' on some of the issues. I think there must be lots of issues that they have that they are afraid of burdening their parents with, even issues that are nothing to do with ASD, just things like perhaps homework that they are struggling to get support from their parents etc.?

Some help on dealing with their siblings extreme moods and a way of talking about it with each other. I don't want my daughter to go and tell all her friends about how awful her sister is to her but I would like her to be able to talk about it and how hard it is to people who understand and won't judge her sister. A chat about special needs and what they think it is as special needs disabilities are easy to explain but ASD isn't quite so simple for them to understand. They just think their sibling is naughty. Would love to be updated on what you do and how well it works.

Dels I think just for sibs, ds2 is sat between two asd siblings and really lacks any form of peer group- actually he knows one similar child at school and theya dore each other, I think it would be useful- I know many famillies get the balance better but I find so much is about coping with the other two that ds2 gets missed a bit IYKWIM? DS4 hopefully will also attend one day but he's just turneing 2; I'd probably have a start age of maybe 6 or 7?

Postbox idea is good.

I think wrt to kids telling me how awful tehir sibs are- as someone who gets that from my own ds2 a lot (and can quite empathise) it would be easier for me to discuss / chat about than a professional perhaps?

Oh and 5inthe yes please

So just got back from the ASD sibs group. DS1 had a whale of a time. Th group has been going since Jan, so a little bit established, but it was his first time going. It was optional for parents to stay.

They first sat in a meeting room, or base as it was called to them, and reminded everyone of the rules. The rules were decided by everyone on the first session, and were the basic things, no swearing/bullying, wait your turn etc. Rule 10 was HAVE FUN, which I thought was very relevant. They had a bit of a discussion about their week, and whoevers turn it was to speak got to hold a sparkly stick and others weren't allowed to talk unless they had the stick.

Then they went to do some crafts, egg decorating (Easter theme) and hand puppets or easter bonnets.

After that, they went to play dodgeball.

10 minutes before finishing, they went back to Base and planned what they wanted to do at the next session. Trampolining seems to be what they will be doing, and a surprise arts and crafts thing.

There was no mentioning of ASD, but at the start the woman from NAS did come in and say that if they ever wanted to talk about it, then they could come talk to her.

They're also going on a trip during the Easter hols, canoeing or some other sort of outside activity.

Seems like a great group so far.

Taht's really useeful 5, and sounds perfectly doable here.

Thanks

Am going to arrnage to meet NAS after hols so fingers crossed it is a goer

well I am probably completely unqualified to comment, as an only child with an only child, but I would have thought - bags of attention, complete escape from SN, with chance to vent if they want to about the unfairness of it all, etc.

Thats what the group DS1 went to tonight. No real mention of any SN, just good fun where they are the centre of attention