Easter Seals Disability Services

Support Services

Social Services:
The Social Service Department offers supportive services for families. This service also provides information and referrals for the larger community.

Information and Referral:
This is a service that provides a response to callers requesting Easter Seals program services and calls requesting information on referrals to other community resources.

Click here for a list of links to other community resources for people with disabilities and their friends and families.

Social Work in the Schools:

·        Bus Orientation

·        Provide individual, family, group counseling

·        Referrals to community agencies

·        Serve as a liaison between employees, community agencies, medical staff, local school district representatives and Intermediate Unit representatives

·        Attend meetings and trainings

Parent Group:
Parent groups are organized around the family needs pertaining to their child with special needs. Speakers present on such topics as: Estate planning, wills and trusts, behavior management, educationally relevant toys, total communication systems, future school placements, insurance issues, sensory integration, and grief. Some meetings are held as a sharing time with parents to talk with other parents regarding having a child with special needs. Fathers have been provided with a special day out with their child. They meet therapists, teachers, make a craft and eat lunch together. Mothers have an opportunity top have a “Mom’s Day Out”. They share the day with other moms, make new friends and enjoy a childless day of activity. 

Sibling Group:
Siblings of children with special needs have special concerns of their own and often times need the opportunity and avenue to express their feelings, needs, and concerns in a safe, relaxed environment outside of the family home.

Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania continues to provide Sibling Support Groups for any child with a brother or sister with special needs.  Our groups are open to children ages 5-12, who may be siblings of Easter Seals students as well as siblings of a child who may attend another educational program.  Groups are typically held every other month during the school year, and are approximately two hours long.

At sibling group, kids have fun meeting other children who share their life experiences while engaging in games, crafts, and food.  Although Sibling Group is not “therapy” the benefits may be therapeutic for the children as they share their feelings about their life with their family and learn accurate information about disabilities.  For example children often times express that they find it challenging because they cannot play with their brother or sister the same way that their friends do, or that it is frustrating because their sibling cannot talk or communicate in a way that they understand.  When you ask the children why they continue to come to Sibling Group there is one answer that is always given, “I like meeting friends who understand what it is like to be me and feel the same way I do.” 

Sibling group is run by Licensed Social Workers in conjunction with Easter Seals School professionals from all disciplines.  If you are interested in learning more about Sibling Group please contact Tiffany Mori at 412-281-7244 ext. 269.

Click here for photos from our most recent Sibling Group.

Contact us to request additional information about Support Services.