Family Support Services

Social Services
Easter Seals Linda Lanham Zeszutek School Program social workers provide supportive services that assist in the improvement of the social, educational, medical, and psychological functioning of our students and families.

As the collaborative link between home, school and community, social workers function as family advocates in respect to individual education plans and special education rights focusing on the best interest of the student. Confidential individual, family, and group counseling is available to families as needed. 

The Social Services department also provides information and referral services to our families and the greater community.


Parent Group
Monthly parent groups provide opportunities for parents to meet and share experiences related to parenting a child with special needs. The parent group addresses such topics as meeting the educational needs of a child with disabilities and advocacy issues.

Guest speakers are enlisted to discuss these and other issues identified and requested by Easter Seals families and staff such as:

  • Behavior management
  • Educationally relevant toys
  • Total communication systems
  • Future school placements 
  • The grief process 


Sibling Group

Sibling group is a place to meet other children who have a brother or sister with special needs.  The goal is to provide siblings with the opportunity to discuss, share, and problem-solve common concerns, feelings, and situations that are unique to the siblings of children with special needs. 

In sibling group, children have fun engaging in games, crafts, and food, while sharing their feelings and learning accurate information about disabilities.  Sibling groups are open to children ages 5-12 who have a sibling with special needs.  Groups are typically held every other month at our school sites during the school year, and are approximately two hours long.  Sibling groups are run by social workers in conjunction with Linda Lanham Zeszutek School professionals from other disciplines. 

For additional information concerning social services or the support groups, contact Laurie Chiodo at 412-281-7244, extension 1287 or via email at lchiodo@eastersealswcpenna.org

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