Camp Puzzle Peace/The Family Autism Center will bring its popular Sibling Empowerment program to the West Side this October. The three week workshop will run Tuesdays, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. October 13, 20 and 27 in the library of the Fred W. Hill School, 40 Allen Street, Brockport. The workshop is open to children ages 7 through 12 and costs $45 per participant.
This three part workshop provides a safe and engaging environment for siblings of individuals with autism, in which they explore what it means to have a brother or sister on the spectrum. Participants can connect with others with similar experiences and celebrate their own personal strengths as well as those of their sibling. Instructor
Sandi Krajeski uses fun activities and conversations to tap into a variety of learning styles and interests. At the end of the workshops, participants will:
•Have a better understanding of autism (demystification).
•Be able to identify both their own strengths and their sibling’s strengths.
•Be a stronger self-advocate and advocate for their sibling.
•Identify a self-care technique that works for them.
Sandi Krajeski has run the program since 2013, when it grew out of other Camp Puzzle Peace activities. “Parents were looking for a program that addressed the needs of siblings, especially helping them understand autism better and giving them a safe environment to ask questions,” explains Krajeski. “Couple siblings in particular were worried about what would happen to their brother when they were adults. The extra worries that these kids were dealing with needed to be discussed. We decided we needed to demystify autism and focus on strengths – those of our group members and their sibling with autism.”
Sandra Krajeski, a certified school psychologist with over 14 years of experience, has worked with many children across the autism spectrum, both in schools and recreational settings. Much of her time includes helping children and families build skills in the areas of communication, self-regulation and behavior. The Family Autism Center is home to Camp Puzzle Peace, a grassroots non-profit organization whose mission is to provide traditional family experiences for families in Monroe County dealing with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays.
For information about the Family Autism Center and Camp Puzzle Peace or to sign up for their monthly newsletter, visit familyautismcenter.com, call 371-5018 or email info@camppuzzlepeace.com. To register for the Sibling Empowerment Program, go to http://familyautismcenter.com/sibling-empowerment.html.
