Feelings and Emotions The effects on the siblings

Starting Point  Think about your relationship with a sibling (or imagine)  What did / do you think about them?  How would you describe them?  How did you spend time with them when you were children?

Sibling Relationships  May be positive or negative (or both)

Sibling Relationships  May be positive or negative (or both)  Dependent on gender

Sibling Relationships  May be positive or negative (or both)  Dependent on gender  Dependent on relative ages

Sibling Relationships  May be positive or negative (or both)  Dependent on gender  Dependent on relative ages  Dependent on circumstance / family structure

Sibling Relationships  May be positive or negative (or both)  Dependent on gender  Dependent on relative ages  Dependent on circumstance / family structure  Complex

Sibling Relationships  May be positive or negative (or both)  Dependent on gender  Dependent on relative ages  Dependent on circumstance / family structure  Complex  Still relevant when sibling has a communication disorder and / or disability

Introduction  The range and focus of research into the area of emotional effects on siblings  Feelings expressed by siblings  Influences on emotional / psychological response of Sibling  Positive impact  Negative impact  Prevention and management  Further help and information

Range and focus of research  Most into general disabilities  Often general impact on family functioning  Some specific to ASD  Some specific problems identified related to social communication disorders  Most conclude further research is needed

Some specific issues  Difficulties in being soothed in infanthood  Difficulties with eating in infanthood  Sleep difficulties in infanthood (Barwick et al 2004)  ADHD (Cohen et al 1998)  Behavioural difficulties  Cognition and social cognition problems (Cohen 1998)

Feelings Expressed by Siblings  Love  Pride  Happiness  Loyalty  Understanding

Feelings Expressed by Siblings  Love  Pride  Happiness  Loyalty  Understanding  Anger  Frustration  Jealousy  Guilt  Fear  Anxiety  Pressure  Resentment  Embarrassment  Grief  Loneliness  Confused

Influences on Sibling Response  Parents ability to cope  Siblings temperament  Nature and severity of the child’s disability  Communication styles and ability within the family  Level of support from extended family  Services available  Other sibling support within the family

Positive Effects  Develop greater empathy and understanding of those with disabilities  Increased tolerance of difficulties  Enhanced communication skills  Increased maturity and ability to be responsible  Increased social competence

Negative Effects  Isolated  Over burdened  Lack of parental attention  Tiredness leading to impact on education  Anxiety about sibling / parental wellbeing  Resentment leading to “acting out”  Escape – alcohol / drugs / inappropriate relationships  Low self esteem

Exercise Given what we know about what influences the emotional and psychological impact on siblings of a child with social communication disorder or disability what can we do to reduce potential negative impacts?

Prevention of siblings emotional difficulties  Understanding and knowledge  Provide information in an age appropriate way  Give time to take in and discuss  Including the sibling  Ensure professionals supporting the child with difficulties are aware of other children  Give siblings time to talk about their own feelings and problems in their own life

Prevention of siblings emotional difficulties  Take time to listen  As parents remember to take care of your own health and emotional needs  Give praise and encouragement for the achievements of siblings  Foster and maintain extended family links or friendships  Try to schedule time with other children

Prevention of siblings emotional difficulties  Try to find time to engage in activities as a family that you can all enjoy  Try to schedule in a special treat for siblings every so often so they have things to look forward to  If seeing any worrying signs or behaviour changes don’t be afraid of asking for help or advice

Some Sources of help  Young Carers:  Handsel trust:  Contact a family:  For Siblings of disabled children:  Childline: –  Disability Alliance Young Minds Disability Alliance Disability Alliance

Some Sources of help  Dynamic Wrexham  The Princess Royal Trust for Carers local-centre-list?keys=&tid=10 local-centre-list?keys=&tid=10 local-centre-list?keys=&tid=10  Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham infomation-service  Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham infomation-service infomation-servicehttp:// infomation-service .

Some Sources of help  Unllais provides a directory of services available nationally and locally  Wrexham Family Information Service (formerly Children's Infomration Bureau) /index_text.htm#contact  Wrexham Family Information Service (formerly Children's Infomration Bureau) /index_text.htm#contact /index_text.htm#contact /index_text.htm#contact  Meic is a new helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales.

Some Sources of help  on - Denbighshire Family Information Service on on  Flintshire Family Information Service tal/english/services?WCM_GLOBAL_CONT EXT=/web+content/flintshire/english/service s tal/english/services?WCM_GLOBAL_CONT EXT=/web+content/flintshire/english/service shttp:// tal/english/services?WCM_GLOBAL_CONT EXT=/web+content/flintshire/english/service s

Thank you