Siblings are affected by every choice their parents make. Having a sibling who has a special need can be stressful at times and may present various challenges. Every member of the family has an affect on the entire family since a family functions as a unit.
Challenges faced by siblings:
- The feeling of not being able to express their feelings
- Siblings may feel a sense of isolation and neglect due to parents paying more attention to the child with special needs
- They may feel jealousy and resentment; for example the family rules and responsibilities aren’t fair
- Siblings may feel overwhelmed and go through the grief cycle
- Financial hardships in the family directly affect the well-being of all children in the families; the siblings included
- More stress, especially in the initial stages when a need is being identified
- They may feel left out when communication about their siblings need is occurring (It is important to include siblings as part of the process).
- Inconsistent parenting: the stress on parents has a direct affect on the children
(Emerson & Giallo,2014) & (Arnold,Heller & Kramer, 2012).
Coping strategies for siblings:
- Make time for yourself- Many siblings feel guilty about wanting a break from their sibling with special needs, but getting some time away definitely helps.
- Join support groups and connect with others who are going through similar challenges
- Express your feelings and allow yourself to go through the grief cycle
- Do your research to understand the challenges faced by the sibling with special needs, in order to enhance interactions and have meaningful bonds