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On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will happen between 2:00 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. Do not look directly at the sun. Families at the hospital during the eclipse are invited to stay inside for its duration.

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Left in the waiting room: A pilot study of a digital intervention for siblings of children with disabilities


Summary

The research team at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital would like to invite you to participate in an intervention called i-SibworkS, an online peer support group intervention led by clinicians to serve the mental health needs of siblings of children and youth with disabilities.


Researcher(s)

Dr. Shannon Scratch, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation 

Dr. Alex ElKader, Kinark Child & Family Services


Call to action

We are looking for youth aged 6 – 16* who are siblings of youth with disabilities

 

*PLEASE NOTE: We are actively recruiting siblings aged 8 -13 years old for the wait-list control group. This would involve completing two sets of questionnaires prior to program enrolment. Please email Hiba Al Hakeem thenovellab@hollandbloorview.ca for further information.


Who can participate

We are looking for youth between the ages of 6-16* who are siblings of children with disabilities. Youth must be English speaking, have no formal developmental disabilities, willing to engage in weekly sessions and have access to a reliable internet connection.

*PLEASE NOTE: We are actively recruiting siblings aged 8 -13 years old for the wait-list control group. This would involve completing two sets of questionnaires prior to program enrolment. Please email Hiba Al Hakeem thenovellab@hollandbloorview.ca for further information.


Funding agency

Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) and Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (OCECYMH).

 


What's involved

Six weeks of intervention delivered online through the video conferencing platform Zoom. Participants will complete a set of questionnaires on social and emotional functioning, stress and behavior routine. Parents of participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires. Participants may be asked to share their feedback on the program through a semi-structured exit interview. Parents of participants may also be asked to participate in an exit interview.


Deadline


Interested in participating

If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Hiba Hakeem at thenovellab@hollandbloorview.ca  and she will get back to you shortly. Contacting us does not obligate you or your child to participate in the study.


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