May Spotlight Blog for Young Siblings
This month’s Spotlight Blog is all about feeling embarrassed – especially when those feelings come up because of your brother or sister’s disability or special educational needs. Don’t worry – everyone feels embarrassed sometimes. It’s a normal feeling and it affects us all in different ways. You might notice your face feels hot, get a funny feeling in your tummy, or feel like you just want to hide away.
Bea says: ‘‘My brother is so noisy. He has autism and can’t help being loud. I just get so embarrassed.’’
There are lots of reasons you might feel embarrassed. Bea feels this way because her brother is noisy and it often makes people stare at their family. You might feel embarrassed if people stare, laugh, or ask questions about your brother or sister. That can feel hard, confusing or upsetting. It can help to remember that this usually happens because some people don’t understand yet. It’s not because you or your brother or sister have done anything wrong.
You can love your brother or sister and still feel embarrassed. Both feelings can be true at the same time!
If you ever feel embarrassed, you could:
- Talk to a trusted adult (parent, carer or teacher).
- Carry a small card explaining your brother or sister’s needs.
- Try to ignore stares, think of something calming, and find someone who helps you feel safe.
To find out more about feelings you can visit 👉 Your feelings – Sibs
