Denby Williams Looking at the prevalence rate of epilepsy among autistic individuals, approximately 25-30% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. This is compared to the much lower prevalence rate of 1% among the general U.S. population. Much of the development occurs during puberty due to evolving hormonal shifts… Continue reading Why Epilepsy Awareness Matters in Autism Discussions
Sometimes I stop and think about why I believe so deeply in Sibshops. And then something lands in my inbox that reminds me all over again. A mom recently shared a video with me — made by her son, Shawn Torres-Viteri, a junior student who created a documentary for National History Day titled "The Amy… Continue reading Meet Shawn: The Young Sib Who Made a Documentary — And Why It Matters
Sibling relationships are complicated—even more so when disability, chronic illness, or mental health is part of the family story. Many adult siblings grow up learning how to “be fine,” stay quiet, or take on roles without ever being asked how they’re actually doing. The problem? Silence doesn’t mean everything is okay.It usually means the conversation… Continue reading Starting the Sibling Conversation: Because Silence Isn’t Neutral
If you’re raising a child with a disability or complex medical needs, you already know the impact it has on the whole family. What often gets less attention—through no one’s fault—is the experience of the siblings. They love fiercely, adapt constantly, and learn to be flexible in ways most adults never have to. And yet,… Continue reading Understanding Sibshops: Empowering Siblings of Children with Disabilities
When you grow up as the sibling of a child with a disability, you learn early that the future isn’t something you can take for granted. While other kids daydream about college, careers, and where they might want to live someday, many of us are thinking about something very different: What will happen to my… Continue reading Future Planning: What Siblings Want You to Know
