The Unseen Struggles of Siblings in Families with Special Needs

21 Nov The Unseen Struggles of Siblings in Families with Special Needs

As a developmental pediatrician, I’ve seen how siblings of children with special needs often carry an emotional burden that goes unnoticed. While these siblings may seem fine on the outside, they are often expected to take on extra responsibilities that are hard for them to handle.

They might have to help care for their younger sibling, manage difficult behaviors, and sometimes step in as caregivers during moments of crisis.

These siblings often feel embarrassed, especially when their brother or sister’s behavior attracts attention in public or at school. Imagine being in class when your sibling is acting out, and you have to explain their actions to classmates who don’t understand. You might try to hide their behavior because you’re worried about being judged or misunderstood. This creates feelings of isolation, embarrassment, and even confusion about how to explain what’s happening.

The emotional strain of managing these situations can also affect their social life. They might feel like they have to hide their true feelings because everyone’s focus is on the sibling with more obvious challenges. Their own needs and emotions can get overlooked, and they may feel like they’re on their own in dealing with everything.

For example, a child might miss out on playdates or family activities because their sibling’s needs take priority, or they might feel uncomfortable when their sibling has a meltdown in a store. These experiences can make them feel self-conscious and different from their peers.

Parents need to be aware of the emotional needs of these older siblings. It’s important to acknowledge their feelings, spend quality time with them, and make sure they don’t feel left out or neglected. Taking care of the emotional well-being of all children in the family helps create a healthier, more balanced home environment.

Siblings of children with special needs deserve just as much care and attention.

By recognizing their emotional struggles and valuing their feelings, parents can help them feel supported and loved, creating a stronger, more balanced family.