MGH Support Groups
Updated 5/2010
Sibshops
Workshops for brothers or sisters of a person with special needs
What is Sibshops?
- Sibshops at MGHfC acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in-between.
- Sibshops allow brothers and sisters the chance to offer one another the many things they have to give.
- Sibshops are lively, pedal-to-the-metal celebrations of the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs.
- Sibshops provide opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with special health and developmental needs to obtain peer support and education within a recreational context.
- Sibshops commit to the well-being of the family member most likely to have the longest-lasting relationship with the person with special needs.
- Sibshops intersperse information and discussion activities with games designed to be unique, off-beat, and appealing to a wide ability range, as well as special guests who may teach participants a variety of fun and interesting things!
Contact : If you are interested in learning more about MGHfC’s upcoming fall and spring Sibshops for children between the ages of 8 and 13, please contact Shellie Léger, LICSW at 617-643-2166 or speak with your unit social worker or child life specialist!
This group is organized by the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children.
Social Skills Group and Teen Transitions Programs for Children and Youth on the Autism Spectrum
For Children and Teens 5-18 years old with Asperger's Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and/or High Functioning Autism
Social Skill Groups : YouthCare's social skill Groups focus on skills that are necessary for children to succeed socially, including verbal and non-verbal interaction, becoming part of a group, making friends, identifying and managing feelings, self awareness, and cooperation. Groups meet one hour per week. Each session includes direct instruction in target skill areas as well as opportunity to practice the skill through carefully designed activities. Groups meet either in Charlestown or Wellesley and are $55 per session.
Teen Transitions Programs are designed to support teenagers as they develop into responsible and independent young adults. The Saturday Explorations program is a therapeutic skill-focused Saturday program for teens, providing structured and unstructured activities, daily living skill instruction, community field trip experiences, team building activities and therapeutic groups. Saturday Explorations meets in Charlestown. Additional teen programs are offered in the summer and meet in Wellesley.
Contact: Sylvia Lewinstein at 617-726-0060 or www.mghyouthcare.org
To enroll, an application must be filled out, followed by a screening interview.
The programs are organized by the MGH YouthCare Program.