Fabulous article posted for parents of children with developmental disabilities regarding sibling relationships. http://www.autism-society.org/site/DocServer/LWA_Siblings.pdf?docID=4183
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
22 Tips for Parents of Children With Developmental Disabilities.
Strategies for Parents
From “Life Beyond Disability” in the Parent-to-Parent Training Guide
1. Be open and honest- be available for questions and ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS.
2. Value each child individually.
3. Limit caregiving responsibilities of siblings
4. Use respite care and other supportive services to allow special time with the siblings.
5. Be fair. Treat the child with the disability as much like your other children as possible.
6. Accept the disability- this helps siblings also deal with it.
7. Put together a library of children’s books for siblings to read on the disability.
8. Schedule special time with the sibling.
9. Let siblings settle their own differences and learn to solve problems together.
10. Welcome other children and friends into your home.
11. Praise siblings – all children need parental praise.
12. Recognize that you are the most important, the most powerful teacher of your children.
13. Parents should recognize the uniqueness of their family.
14. Listen to siblings.
15. Involve the siblings in the decisions about their disabled brother or sister.
16. Require the disabled child to do as much for him/herself as possible.
17. Recognize each child’s unique qualities and family contributions.
18. Encourage the development of special sibling programs.
19. Help establish a sibling support group.
20. Recognize special stress times for siblings and plan to minimize negative effects.
21. Use professionals to help siblings as needed.
22. Teach the siblings to interact.
From “Life Beyond Disability” in the Parent-to-Parent Training Guide
1. Be open and honest- be available for questions and ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS.
2. Value each child individually.
3. Limit caregiving responsibilities of siblings
4. Use respite care and other supportive services to allow special time with the siblings.
5. Be fair. Treat the child with the disability as much like your other children as possible.
6. Accept the disability- this helps siblings also deal with it.
7. Put together a library of children’s books for siblings to read on the disability.
8. Schedule special time with the sibling.
9. Let siblings settle their own differences and learn to solve problems together.
10. Welcome other children and friends into your home.
11. Praise siblings – all children need parental praise.
12. Recognize that you are the most important, the most powerful teacher of your children.
13. Parents should recognize the uniqueness of their family.
14. Listen to siblings.
15. Involve the siblings in the decisions about their disabled brother or sister.
16. Require the disabled child to do as much for him/herself as possible.
17. Recognize each child’s unique qualities and family contributions.
18. Encourage the development of special sibling programs.
19. Help establish a sibling support group.
20. Recognize special stress times for siblings and plan to minimize negative effects.
21. Use professionals to help siblings as needed.
22. Teach the siblings to interact.
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