Don Meyer
Sibling Support Project
Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES
Siblings, Fathers, and Grandparents of People with Disabilities--Too Important to Ignore!
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Biography
Don Meyer is the director of the Sibling Support Project, a national effort dedicated to the interests of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns. As the project's director, Don has conducted more than 300 workshops in all 50 states as well as Canada, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Turkey, England, New Zealand, and Japan. His workshops and trainings have reached thousands of parents and providers have helped establish more than 400 Sibshops worldwide.
Don was a founder of the SEFAM (Supporting Extended Family Members) program at the University of Washington, which pioneered services for fathers, siblings, and grandparents of children with special needs. SibKids, SibTeen, and SibNet--the Yahoogroups and Facebook groups Don created for young, teen, and adult siblings--connect thousands of brothers and sisters with their peers every day. In 2012, he created GKSN (Grandparents of Kids with Special Needs) to connect grandparents with their peers.
Don is the senior author or editor of numerous articles and six books:
•Thicker Than Water: Essays by adult siblings of people with disabilities. (Woodbine House, 2009)
•The Sibling Slam Book: What it is really like to have a brother or sister with special needs (Woodbine House, 2005);
•Sibshops: Workshops for brothers and sisters of children with special needs (Paul H. Brookes, 1994);
•Living with a brother or sister with special needs: A book for sibs (University of Washington Press, 1996);
•Uncommon Fathers: Reflections on raising a child with a disability (Woodbine House, 1995); and
•Views from our Shoes: Growing up with a brother or sister with special needs (Woodbine House, 1997).
Don's work with families has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and ABC News. He received the 2007 Duncan Award from Children’s Hospital in Seattle for his work with families.
To see a video about sibling issues featuring Don Meyer, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ve-yGz5KzYs
Industry Expertise (3)
Childcare
Health Care - Services
Education/Learning
Areas of Expertise (3)
Siblings
Family
Disability
Education (1)
University of Washington: M.Ed, Early Childhood Special Education 1978
Links (1)
Sample Talks (1)
Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities: Unique Concerns, Unique Opportunities
This workshop uses a lively large-group discussion format to help participants learn about issues frequently experienced by brothers and sisters of people with special needs. During this workshop, participants share what they have observed in their families or the families they serve and learn what researchers, clinicians, and siblings themselves say about growing up with siblings who have special needs. Implications for parents and service providers will be discussed throughout the workshop.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Author Appearance
