How Children With Special Needs Get Along with Their Siblings

Parents have a tough job.  Many times, while they are focusing on the household and the responsibilities before them, they simple don't have enough time to devote to their child with special needs.  Their siblings play a significant role as their brother(s) or sister(s).  As a benefit of growing up with siblings of special needs, they face more situations that demand flexibility and problems solving. They also get more lessons in character building--sensitivity, insight, ability to get alone with others, tolerance of differences, compassion and patience--characteristics that will serve them well in many situations in life.  As kids reach different stages of development, their evolving needs can significantly affect how they relate to one another.  Many feelings may be experienced by the sibling of a child with special needs: they may worry about them, be jealous about the attention they get, be scared that they may even lose their brother or sister, they may even be resentful having to explain their special need, and they may even resent having to take care of them. Though these challenges can be expected, the benefits of having siblings far outweigh the cons.  Ultimately, their love bond for each other will far outweigh the differences.  After all, they are a family!