Suggested Strategies for Parents to Respond to Siblings
Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall
Topics: Learning Disabilities, Special Needs, Parenting, Siblings with Special Needs
- Be open and honest.
- Value each child individually.
- Limit caregiving responsibilities.
- Use respite care and other supportive services.
- Be fair.
- Accept disability.
- Put together a library of children's books on disabilities.
- Schedule special time with each sibling.
- Let siblings settle their own differences.
- Welcome other children and friends into the home.
- Praise siblings.
- Recognize that parents are the most important, most powerful teacher of their children.
- Recognize the uniqueness of each family.
- Listen to siblings.
- Involve the siblings.
- Require the child with a disability to do as much for himself or herself as possible.
- Recognize each child's unique qualities and family contribution.
- Encourage the development of special sibling programs.
- Help establish a sibling support group.
- Recognize special stress times for siblings and plan to minimize negative effects.
Excerpt from Families of Students With Disabilities: Consultation and Advocacy, by S.K. Alper & P.J. Schloss & C.N. Schloss, 1994 edition, p. 67.
© 1994, Merrill, an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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