This website will undergo some further development in the following months. It will provide resources for service providers who work with families, for parents and for siblings themselves. If you have ideas about what you would like on this site please email me at the address below. A discussion paper written in late 1999, and a brief report written in late 2000 are now available for downloading . A huge amount of attention and energy has to be invested in a child with a disability or chronic illness, often at the expense of their siblings.
Children are often too young to understand their reactions.
Much has been learned in recent years, particularly in the United States, from talking with siblings about their experiences. Whilst some are positive, many are negative, and can include feelings of guilt, resentment, fear and confusion. Without support, these reactions can lead to long term mental health problems. Research, again in the US, suggests there are some critical factors which determine how well other children adjust to having a sibling with special needs. One of the most important factors is contact with peers.