Welcome to Colored Glass

According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children ages 3-17 have one or more developmental disabilities.

Many of these children have siblings. Colored Glass is here to support them.

About Colored Glass

Colored Glass provides resources to support and siblings of children with developmental disabilities as they navigate emotional and logistical family dynamics. Resources include organizations, interviews, articles, books, and podcasts that can be utilized by both siblings and parents. Colored Glass aims to bring vibrancy and visibility to the world of The Glass Children.

About the Creator

My name is Anya Ryan.

I am the creator of Colored Glass and the 17-year-old sister of a child with ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette's syndrome, and anxiety. Last year, my brother left for a therapeutic boarding school. His absence led me to reflect on my experiences growing up with a special needs brother. Later, I completed a school research project focused on the most effective forms of support for siblings of children with developmental disabilities. Through my research, I found a significant lack of available resources for siblings. Frustrated but inspired, I created Colored Glass to bring vibrance and visibility to the lives of the Glass Children and their families.

I acknowledge that I may not share the same experiences as siblings of individuals with all conditions. I aim to lead with empathy and compassion as I provide resources catered to include all siblings. I welcome feedback regarding language use, inclusion of resources, etc. My goal is for Colored Glass to provide a safe space for all siblings and their families to feel seen, connect with others, and discover strategies to help them navigate their experiences.

What Are Developmental Disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions causing impairments in physical, learning, language, and/or behavioral areas. These include:

-Dyslexia

-Vision Impairment

-Hearing Loss

-ADHD

-Cerebral Palsy

-Autism Spectrum Disorder

-Intellectual Disabilities

And more

Rescources

Interviews

Colored Glass provides original interviews to give insight and guidance to siblings and parents of children with social, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Individuals interviewed include parent coaches, therapists, special education teachers, parents, siblings, and more.

Access

For Siblings

Colored Glass has curated and linked resources for adult, teen, and kid siblings of individuals with various cognitive, emotional, and physical differences. These resources are in various forms of digital media and offer ways for siblings to better support themselves.

Access

For Parents

For parents looking to support their neuro-typical children, Colored Glass offers advice, parents' experiences, and in-depth explanations of siblings' challenges and experiences, categorized by topic.

Access

Valerie Johnston (Parent)

“Jet took all the air out of the room and there was no room for Cayden.”

Anonymous Sibling

“I'm the best Associate Director, but will probably never be an Executive Director. I'm the best number two, but never number one.”

Nadine Farsi (Sibling)

"We feel that we were just left behind."

Interviews

Colored Glass provides original interviews to give insight and guidance to siblings and parents of children with emotional, cognitive, and physical differences who are looking to better understand and cope with their unique situation. The individuals interviewed include parents, special education consultants, siblings, parent coaches, therapists, teachers, and more.

Siena Michelson

For Siblings and Parents

The 17-year-old younger step-sister of an individual with microcephaly.

3d96fb8bc9704e8b96a3681d730278b5!_!483c64054935dba8ffce5eb11f28d9b8.webp

Dr. Miriam Kuppermann

For Siblings and Parents

A UCSF professor and the older sister of an individual with Down Syndrome.

Simone Carr

For Siblings and Parents

The 16-year-old younger sister of an individual with Cerebral Palsy.

Keely Hamilton

For Siblings and Parents

The mom of a neurotypical child and a child with autism, a Sibshops facilitator, and a co-chair of Dedication to Special Education

Allie Phelps

For Parents and Siblings

Sibshop facilitator and older sister of an individual with autism. Allie is also a Co-founder of Social Learning Works.

Racheal Siegel

For Parents

Educational consultant for families of children with different needs and learning styles. Racheal is also the mother of a typically developing child and a neurodivergent child.

Quinn Kennings

For Siblings and Parents

The 15-year-old older brother of a child with autism and learning disabilities.

Valerie Johnston

For Parents and Siblings

The parent of a typically developing individual and an individual with learning and behavioral challenges.

Reese Barber

For Siblings

The 15-year-old younger sister of an individual with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy.

Dr. Peggie Staib

For Parents

Retired associate superintendent for educational services with oversight of county-wide special education and career preparation programs.

Jan Rao

For Parents and Siblings

Executive director of the non-profit organization Willows in the Wind, which supports the parents of children in therapeutic centers and/or struggling with mental health and cognitive disorders.