Siblings often benefit enormously from connecting with other kids who genuinely understand their specific experience — not just family, but peers navigating the same kind of sibling relationship. Here's where Michigan families can find that kind of support.
Sibshops: The Most Established Program
Sibshops, developed by the national Sibling Support Project (founded in 1990), is the most widely recognized sibling support program for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities and health needs, including autism. Sibshops are described specifically as lively, recreational events — not formal therapy groups — that mix fun activities with structured opportunities to talk about the shared experience of having a sibling with additional needs. They're generally designed for school-age siblings, roughly ages 7 to 13, though some programs serve a broader age range.
How Sibshops Work
Sibshops are typically sponsored locally by a range of organizations — early intervention centers, hospitals, autism organizations, Arc chapters, and others — meaning specific availability varies by region and depends on whether a local agency currently runs one. Sessions combine games and recreational activities with dedicated space for siblings to talk with peers who share similar experiences, led by trained facilitators (often a mix of parents, professionals, and sometimes adult siblings themselves).
Finding a Sibshop Near You
The Sibling Support Project maintains a national directory to help families find a Sibshop near them. In Michigan specifically, the Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) Family Center, a program of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, supports Sibshops statewide — including offering Sibshop Facilitator Training and small grants to help certified facilitators start local Sibshops in their communities. You can reach the Family Center's phone line at 800-359-3722 for help locating sibling support in your area.
The Autism Alliance of Michigan Can Help Too
The Autism Alliance of Michigan's MiNavigator program lists sibling support resources, including the Sibling Support Project, among the organizations they can connect families to — worth reaching out to at 1-877-463-AAOM if you're not sure where to start locally.
If There Isn't a Sibshop Near You
If your area doesn't currently have an active Sibshop, it's worth knowing that the CSHCS Family Center's grant and training program exists specifically to help interested parents or professionals start one — a genuine option if you're motivated to bring this kind of support to your community.
Online Sibling Communities
Beyond in-person programs, the Sibling Support Project also hosts online communities for siblings at different ages (including options for younger children, teens, and young adults), which can be a valuable option for families in areas without an active local Sibshop, or for older siblings who may prefer this format.
Why This Kind of Peer Support Matters
Peer sibling support offers something parents and even therapists can't fully replicate — genuine peer understanding from other kids living a similar experience. This complements, rather than replaces, the kind of family conversation and support covered throughout this guide.
For Byron Center-Area Families
If you're trying to find sibling support resources near Byron Center or elsewhere in West Michigan, we're glad to help point you in the right direction as part of your family's broader support. Our Parent & Caregiver Training service is designed around exactly this kind of goal. our in-home ABA therapy in Byron Center page has more information, or Get Started Today to get started.
This article is part of our complete guide, Supporting Siblings of Children With Autism. Clinically reviewed by Kimberly Blazer, BCBA.