Tips for parents on supporting siblings

Giving siblings attention

Spend time with your sibling child
Little things mean a lot
Look for good qualities and behaviours in siblings
Know about your sibling child's life
Let siblings know you think about them
Reassure siblings that you love them

Explaining disability to siblings

Giving siblings information about disability.
Explain the role of professionals
Getting consistent information from relatives
Genetic counselling

Helping siblings deal with their feelings

Acknowledging feelings
Embarrassment
Fairness
Low mood or anxiety
Worries
Feelings that present as sickness or pains
Sibling rivalry
Anger


Enhancing family life for siblings

Create laughter and humour in your family
Play a family game
Give siblings some personal space
Play ideas for the sibling and disabled child
Encourage grandparents to support siblings

Helping siblings cope with difficult situations

Hospital stays
Frightening medical situations
Siblings and care tasks
Disturbed sleep
When a sibling gets hurt