What is it like having a disabled sibling?

Children who have a sibling with disability are often more caring and kind, sensitive and responsive to the needs of others, tolerant and compassionate, mature, responsible, independent and empathetic. They’re also unlikely to take their own good health for granted.

How do you deal with a disabled sibling?

Talk to them about their goals and let them know they don’t have to excel at everything to be loved. Be sure they know they don’t need to make-up for any short-comings in their less competent brother or sister. Provide age-appropriate discussions about their sibling’s disability.

How does having a child with a disability affect your other children?

In studies, it has been found that siblings of disabled children have a more stressful life compared to healthy peers, experience adaptation problems, take care of their disabled sibling when their mothers are not at home and thus mature earlier and take greater responsiblity.

What is it like to have a sibling with special needs?

When there is a child with special needs in the family, siblings often get less attention. In addition, more may be expected of them, or they may expect more of themselves. Often, they feel pressure to be “good” or “perfect” in order to make life easier for their parents.

What parents should not say to special needs?

9 Things Never to Say to a Parent of a Special Needs Child

• “Wow, you must be so busy.”
• “I’m sorry.”
• “You’re lucky you have a normal kid too.”
• “He’ll catch up.”
• “You should take care of yourself so you can take care of him.”
• “We’re only given what we can handle.”
• 7. “

What happens to siblings when a sibling has a disability?

More importantly, siblings tend to be in the life of the disabled family member longer than anyone, including parents. The impact of having a sibling with a disability changes over the lifespan. Younger siblings tend to worry about how their brother or sister will impact the ability to fit in with peers.

How can I Help my non-disabled child grow up?

Be careful your non-disabled child doesn’t take on too much responsibility. Siblings of kids with disabilities tend to grow up faster than kids in other families. They tend to set unrealistically high expectations for themselves. Talk to them about their goals and let them know they don’t have to excel at everything to be loved.

What are the positive effects of having siblings with special needs?

But there are also positive consequences that have been documented such as an increased capacity for empathy, greater tolerance for individual differences, and resiliency. Historically, siblings of kids with disabilities have been ignored in research.

What is it like to have a brother with Down syndrome?

At a very young age, siblings start to worry about who will care for their disabled sister or brother if mom or dad aren’t around. These issues tend to become more important as the siblings age. For me, and for my other siblings, the benefits of having a brother with Down Syndrome outweighs any liabilities.