Caring for Siblings of Special Needs Children
Parenting can be hard in any situation, but especially when you have a child with special needs. Sometimes, siblings of special needs children can feel left out or neglected, which makes it important for parents to strike a balance between being attentive to their special needs child and caring for their other children as well.
Here are four ways to care for siblings of special needs children:
1. Talk honestly.
Are you feeling guilty about spending more time with your special needs child than with his or her siblings. Talk to the siblings about it openly and honestly, and explain the situation. By a certain age, kids understand that their special needs sibling needs more attention. Even with this understanding, they may still experience emotional pain or feel left out of the family. Speak up and don’t let these feelings go unrecognized.
2. Carve out one-on-one time.
Every kid needs one-on-one time with his or her parents, and this is especially true when it comes to siblings of special needs children. It may seem difficult to set aside time, but it’s important to foster a relationship with your child. Schedule a Saturday afternoon of doing your child’s favorite activities, whether that means visiting the zoo or seeing a new movie. Make these afternoons together something that your child can look forward to even on days when you have to spend more time with your special needs child. 
3. Recognize their accomplishments.
Siblings often feel like their accomplishments go unnoticed since so much attention is placed on the child with special needs. To make siblings of special needs children feel loved, go out of your way to recognize and draw attention to their achievements. Did your daughter bring home an incredible report card? Did your son keep his room clean for a month without you having to nag him? No matter the size of the accomplishment, acknowledge it and reward good behavior. This will prevent siblings from acting out in order to get attention.
4. Find a buddy.
Siblings may feel that they’re the only ones who know how hard it is to live with a special needs sibling. Talk to teachers or other community groups that you may be a part of, and see if there are any other siblings of special needs children nearby. Finding a friend for your child that is experiencing the same difficulties can help with feelings of neglect, confusion, and resentment. He or she may also feel more comfortable opening up and sharing with someone of the same age as opposed to a parent.
Many siblings of special needs children grow up to be compassionate, well-rounded people who are sensitive to the needs of others. These siblings are mentally strong and tend to appreciate the little things in life more after seeing their brother or sister experience difficulties for so long. Although the journey of raising both a special needs child and his or her siblings can be tough, don’t forget about these positives along the way.
