About Us
Mission and Core Values
Why Siblings?
We've been called “glass children”, “well siblings”, and simply, the “other” kids.
Whatever the term, there’s no question that siblings of kids with disabilities face unique
challenges and have complex needs of our own. In fact, siblings of people with intellectual disabilities suffer from significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders than the general population when not provided with the right resources and support.
That's where the Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities comes in.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to help siblings of people with disabilities feel seen, supported, and empowered -- with a focus on providing early intervention for young siblings. Our work focuses on 1) providing multimedia resources for parents, educators, direct service providers, and siblings themselves, 2) spreading awareness of sibling issues throughout the general population, and 3) providing programming to support young siblings, particularly through a lens of artistic expression.
Core Values
- Siblings of people with disabilities deserve to feel seen and appreciated for their own independent identities apart from their brothers and sisters.
- Representation is important to help siblings -- especially young siblings -- feel validated and understood.
- Artistic expression can be a valuable tool to help people -- especially children -- process their emotions.
- Sharing resources and amplifying sibling voices will enable psychologists, counselors, and policymakers to conduct new research and enact new policies to support siblings at different stages in their lives.
- Building a strong foundation of support for siblings will empower them to find healthy, balanced ways to take active roles in managing care for their brothers and sisters later in life, without losing sight of personal wellness.
- Supporting siblings is a community responsibility.
The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Think what we do sounds neat and want to help us do more? Click here.
About our Signature Book
Billy's Sister (previously published as Special Siblings)
New and improved version now available!
Growing up with a sibling who has a disability can be hard. But it can also be... awesome! Based on the author's real-life experiences, this unique and touching children's book explores how siblings of kids with disabilities are special, too. Created to help siblings ages 3+ process their feelings and to spark open, honest conversations between siblings and parents.
Discount bulk sales available for groups and schools. Contact us for more information.
About our Workbook
Now, you, too, can write and illustrate your own sibling story in this special activity book designed as a companion to Billy's Sister!
Created with the support of a licensed clinical psychologist to help children aged 3 and up process feelings and express themselves—and to spark meaningful conversations that you’ll keep coming back to as a family.
Are you a teacher or program leader? Need this in a printable PDF format to share with your school or group? Download printable version now!
About our Podcast
The Special Siblings Podcast focuses exclusively on siblings of kids with disabilities—a too-often overlooked population—and the unique issues they face.
Hear from psychologists, researchers, and sibs of all ages on how to best support the sib in your life. For parents, healthcare providers, and sibs themselves.
Now available on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Spotify.
Subscribe now to make sure you don't miss future episodes!
Our Board of Directors
Jessica Leving Siegel, President/Founder
Jessica Leving Siegel, President/Founder
Jessica Leving Siegel, President/Founder
Jessica Leving Siegel founded The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities in 2019 after receiving an overwhelming response to the publication of her book, Billy’s Sister: Life when your sibling has a disability--a picture book based on her experiences growing up with her brother, Billy, who has autism. Before launching the Center
Jessica Leving Siegel founded The Center for Siblings of People with Disabilities in 2019 after receiving an overwhelming response to the publication of her book, Billy’s Sister: Life when your sibling has a disability--a picture book based on her experiences growing up with her brother, Billy, who has autism. Before launching the Center for Siblings, Jessica spent over a decade working in nonprofit marketing and communications. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus on nonprofit management from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University.
Linda S. Haase, Vice President
Jessica Leving Siegel, President/Founder
Jessica Leving Siegel, President/Founder
Linda S. Haase, longtime Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Jewish United Fund, has wide-ranging expertise in corporate communications, marketing and public affairs. She played key roles at the Illinois Department of Public Health in establishing the HIV/AIDS Unit and at the American Cancer Society, Illino
Linda S. Haase, longtime Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Jewish United Fund, has wide-ranging expertise in corporate communications, marketing and public affairs. She played key roles at the Illinois Department of Public Health in establishing the HIV/AIDS Unit and at the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division in effecting smoke-free public spaces, raising awareness of mammography, and championing the rights of people living with cancer. The recipient of numerous professional awards, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kalamazoo College and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
Ashley Panlasigui, Treasurer
Jessica Leving Siegel, President/Founder
Ashley Panlasigui, Treasurer
Bio coming soon
Christine Lupella, Secretary
Christine Lupella, Secretary
Ashley Panlasigui, Treasurer
Christine Lupella has been a writer and project manager for the Jewish United Fund for the last 10 years. Previously, she was a journalist and managing editor for newspapers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she received numerous state and several national newspaper awards. She is passionate about helping children explore their experience
Christine Lupella has been a writer and project manager for the Jewish United Fund for the last 10 years. Previously, she was a journalist and managing editor for newspapers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she received numerous state and several national newspaper awards. She is passionate about helping children explore their experiences through art and literacy. She has taught after school art classes for elementary students, and created a community youth newspaper for which she also served as advisor. She currently tutors a Chicago Public School student through Tutoring Chicago.
Sandra Snook
Christine Lupella, Secretary
Aimee Halstuk
A veterinarian and pathologist by training, Sandra recently retired from a 3-decade long career in the pharmaceutical industry. She is now better known as the spirited nomad behind The Old Woman Who Lives in a Van. Having traded her microscope for a Glampervan, she now spends her days exploring all that North America has to offer by road
A veterinarian and pathologist by training, Sandra recently retired from a 3-decade long career in the pharmaceutical industry. She is now better known as the spirited nomad behind The Old Woman Who Lives in a Van. Having traded her microscope for a Glampervan, she now spends her days exploring all that North America has to offer by road - and writing about it for her community of loyal fans (that is, when she isn't under COVID-related stay-at-home orders). Sandra is also the mother to seven (now-adult) children through birth and adoption, several with special needs. She spent many years on other non-profit boards, including African Cradle, Inc. and Ethiopia Reads. She is also a volunteer birth doula. She is proud to now bring her support to siblings.
Aimee Halstuk
Christine Lupella, Secretary
Aimee Halstuk
Aimee Halstuk has never let her physical disability get in her way. She was the founder of Just Give Me a Chance, a social playgroup for children with physical disabilities, and has also worked as a kindergarten enrichment coordinator at JCC Chicago and as an activity instructor at the Center for Enriched Living. She loves working with ki
Aimee Halstuk has never let her physical disability get in her way. She was the founder of Just Give Me a Chance, a social playgroup for children with physical disabilities, and has also worked as a kindergarten enrichment coordinator at JCC Chicago and as an activity instructor at the Center for Enriched Living. She loves working with kids and is passionate about helping with the Center for Siblings' children’s programming and development of educational materials.
Advisory, Marketing & Outreach Committee
Avidan Milevsky, PhD
Avidan Milevsky, PhD
Avidan Milevsky, PhD
Avidan Milevsky, PhD splits his time between the US and the Middle East as a speaker, psychologist, researcher, author, and consultant. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Ariel University in Israel and a psychotherapist at Wellspring Counseling, Towson, MD. His clinical research on families has produced over 100 conference pres
Avidan Milevsky, PhD splits his time between the US and the Middle East as a speaker, psychologist, researcher, author, and consultant. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Ariel University in Israel and a psychotherapist at Wellspring Counseling, Towson, MD. His clinical research on families has produced over 100 conference presentations, more than 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and 6 books including Sibling Issues in Therapy and Understanding Adolescents for the Helping Professional.
Diane Gould, LCSW
Avidan Milevsky, PhD
Avidan Milevsky, PhD
Diane Gould is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked for both private agencies and school systems. During her twelve years working in schools, Ms Gould developed new parent support programs. She also created and led many peer buddy groups creating a community of support for students in speci
Diane Gould is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked for both private agencies and school systems. During her twelve years working in schools, Ms Gould developed new parent support programs. She also created and led many peer buddy groups creating a community of support for students in special education programs. She was the Childhood Disability and Family Support Specialist for the Jewish Children’s Bureau for over a decade. In that capacity she created parent groups, sibling groups, grandparent groups, grandparent raising grandchildren groups, family camps, and parent education programs. Currently, she has a full time private practice in suburban Chicago serving children and adults with special needs and their families.
Mark Moussa
Avidan Milevsky, PhD
Sophie Meskis
Mark is a recent college graduate who is now a software engineer working at NASA. He has a younger brother, Marvin, who is on the autism spectrum, and Mark works hard at making sure he gets the best life possible. Mark plans to transition into the medical field, and wants to spend his time researching and working to help others like Marvi
Mark is a recent college graduate who is now a software engineer working at NASA. He has a younger brother, Marvin, who is on the autism spectrum, and Mark works hard at making sure he gets the best life possible. Mark plans to transition into the medical field, and wants to spend his time researching and working to help others like Marvin live their lives to the fullest. In his spare time, he likes to hike, run, read, travel, and spend time with friends.
Sophie Meskis
Katherine Filaseta
Sophie Meskis
Sophie lives in Denver, Colorado and works as a special education teacher at the elementary level. She has two brothers, one of whom has a type of rare epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. Her brother, who lives with multiple comorbidities, has inspired her dedication to support individuals with disabilities and their families in various ways.
Ash DeLuke
Katherine Filaseta
Katherine Filaseta
Bio coming soon
Katherine Filaseta
Katherine Filaseta
Katherine Filaseta
Bio coming soon
Catherine Stover
Catherine Stover
Catherine Stover
Bio coming soon