Siblings of Children with Special Needs

Offered for FIRST 5 Partners and other local professionals such as Social Workers, Home Visitors, Childcare and Preschool providers, Family Resource Center staff, and Therapeutic Service Providers. Parents are also welcome. Certificates are available upon request, indicating hours earned against the Infant-Family Early Childhood Mental Health Guidelines.

We will discuss the emotional and social development of the sibling of a special needs child, early warning signs of distress as well as evidence-based research and interventions to bolster positive outcomes for this population, which is often missed until pathology becomes apparent. 

Laura Beth DeHority is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (IMF 96095, Supervisor Julie Nasser, MFC 41524) who works with couples, siblings, groups and multi-generational families to provide support in areas of family roles and communication, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, grief and addiction. Laura Beth’s greatest area of interest is working with families who are touched by special needs. Her work provides support to those who are siblings and long-term caregivers, giving them the opportunity to explore solutions that will bring them hope and joy in their circumstances.