This is an article that I have wanted to write for a long time as it is personal to me. I watch my youngest nephew growing up with the responsibility of caring for his older brother with a disability. From helping him get dressed in the morning to looking out for him while in school. As my nephew without disabilities grew, he would ask me why his brother was treated so special by others around him which is a difficult question to answer. Now an adult with a family of his own, he still is protective of his brother and continues to love him and look out for him.
Children who have siblings with disabilities often carry an added weight. They are protective of their siblings and from this added experience, it has taught them to be compassionate towards others. the following resources are useful for siblings, parents and providers looking for information to help families with disabilities. Please email me at specialneedsresourceblog@gmail.com if you have additional information that you would like to share.
Sibling Organizations and Support Groups
Sibling Leadership–The mission of the Sibling Leadership Network is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them
Siblings of Autism-Siblings of Autism is dedicated to supporting the siblings of individuals on the autism spectrum through educational scholarships, respite funds and outreach programs.
The Sibling Support Project– National program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of brother and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns
Sibling Resources– A growing network of adult siblings of people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities. Provides up-to-date information, resources and training opportunities.
Sibling Support Resources
Sibling Support- Family Drug Help
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook Group
Sibling of Children with Disabilities
Article Links
5 ways to support siblings in special needs families (Child Mind Institute)
8 things siblings of children with special needs struggle with (Washington Post)
10 great books if you have a sibling with special needs (Friendship Circle)
12 ways to support siblings (Brooks Publishing Company)
Caring for siblings of children with special needs (Kids Health)
Dear sibling to a child with special needs (The Mighty)
Emotional problems facing siblings of children with disabilities (Psychiatry Advisor)
Having an autistic sibling (National Autistic Society)
Helping siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (Raising Children)
Siblings and Cerebral Palsy (Cerebral Palsy Guidance)
Sibling Issues (Center for Parent Information and Resources)
Sibling of children with disabilities (Psychology Today)
Supporting siblings of children with disabilities in the school setting (ERIC.ed)
Ways a child care providers can support siblings of children with special needs (Extension)
