Support for Siblings

A serious medical diagnosis in childhood can result in a lot of lifestyle changes for the child and their family. Appointments with specialists, modifications to the home or the daily routine, and new accommodations for a child who has special needs can be expected. If there are other children in the home it is not uncommon for these needs to impact and disrupt the life experiences of these kids as well. In this guide you will find resources designed to help siblings of children with medical and other special needs understand and cope with their new circumstances.

INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS

It will take time and patience for siblings of children with medical and other special needs to process and understand the new challenges and experiences that may come with their brother or sister’s diagnosis. With all of the unknowns, siblings are bound to ask questions and experience new feelings and emotions. The following informational resources are available to aid caregivers in answering questions and finding the right words to discuss this major life change.

• This guide from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Health Care Toolbox, this article from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and this guide from HealthyChildren.org all include tips and information for supporting children through the illness or injury of their siblings.

• This resource from the American Cancer Society and this resource from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, provide age-appropriate tips on how caregivers can help the siblings of young cancer patients cope with this difficult experience.

• This resource from the National Cancer Institute offers teenagers information to help them understand and cope with their siblings' cancer diagnosis, and The Imaginary Friends Society (which offers films for kids about cancer treatment), has a collection of short films just for brothers and sisters of cancer patients.

• This article from Nemour’s Kid’s Health offers tips on how to discuss with siblings the ongoing needs of children with disabilities.

COPING & PEER SUPPORT

Once they are informed about their sibling’s special needs, ongoing support may be needed to help a child cope with the new family dynamic. From being asked to help out to feeling left out, there are likely to be many complicated emotions that can best be supported by others with similar experiences. The following are peer-to-peer resources just for siblings.

• NAA’s ASD & Siblings toolkit is a guide created to help parents understand and address feelings and challenges often experienced by children who have a brother or sister with autism.

• The Sibling Support Project offers publications and peer support groups known as Sibshops, to the siblings of children with disabilities.

• JustSibs is an organization with online resources and digital experience tools for siblings of children with illnesses or injuries.

A SIBLING’S PERSPECTIVE

This resource guide was inspired by by Bowen Zhang, a high school student whose prize-winning essay spoke openly about her experience as the sibling of a child with special needs. There is perhaps no greater resource for the children we are looking to support, than the experiences of someone who has been in their shoes.

• The Stop the Hate® contest is an initiative of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage that celebrates students committed to creating a more accepting and inclusive society. Bowen Zhang's essay, available as a resource on The Ronald McDonald House Resource Link, was among the finalists in the 2021 competition. Bowen wrote about her experience as the sibling of a child with special needs, and shared ways that she is giving back to the community.

• From ChildMind.org, this article includes advice from siblings, for siblings of children with special needs.