Easing sibling rivalry
Cindy DeCarlo has seen how autism can divide her children. She said balancing care between her autistic son and her normal-functioning daughter is sometimes tough. "There are times when my son gets all the attention because of his condition, and I can tell it upsets my daughter," said DeCarlo, manager of the Achimota Centre for Children with Autism on Cedar Pointe Drive. "It's not easy for her and she doesn't always understand (his disorder)."
That's why DeCarlo enrolled her daughter in a sibling workshop which gives children a chance to talk about living with an autistic sibling. "There, she can speak freely about what it's like having a brother with autism, and share her feelings about that," DeCarlo said.
"Parents were thrilled about this workshop, and many thanked us for running it for their children."
This was the centre's first year running the event for children between the ages of nine and 15. DeCarlo said she believes the program is one youth in Barrie need. "We found there wasn't anything in Barrie like this running for older children with autistic siblings," she said. "There are workshops for the little ones, but that's it."
The workshop had plenty of activities to keep participants busy. "There's an autism simulation, where we do a bunch of activities that overstimulate the child's senses," DeCarlo said. "That gives them an idea of what's going on inside their sibling's mind and body with too much happening around them."
Children also had a chance to talk openly with other children and counsellors at the centre about any issues surrounding autism spectrum disorder.
A recent workshop saw close to 10 children participating, and Lorrie's 12-year-old daughter, Ally, was one of them. Lorrie, who didn't want her last name used, said she's happy there's a program to help her daughter find some common ground among children. "It is very hard at times, because there are times when all my focus is on my eight-year old son, Zach," Lorrie said. "She'll say to me, 'Why am I the only one with an autistic brother?' It's good for her to be able to talk to other kids going through the same situation."
Zach is a regular at the centre, so Lorrie was thrilled that the place she feels safe leaving him has programming for her oldest child, too. "This centre is also our family, and we're always here with Zach," she said. "I was happy for the program, and I think we're starting to see (autism) is kind of a blessing. His disorder has taught my daughter to empathize with other people."
DeCarlo said the centre is planning on making the inaugural sibling workshop a permanent thing. "I think it would be nice to have one once or twice a year," she said. "We aren't able to have a huge workshop here, but I think parents will appreciate us continuing it."
Nicki Cruickshank
13 August 2009
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1697424
