In the United States alone, there are almost 300,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. Researchers have focused primarily on such individuals and their parents; however, the developmental outcomes of such individuals' siblings have been understudied. Research on siblings frequently is atheoretical, which makes it difficult to organize findings in ways that enhance understanding of the multiple influences on sibling development and to predict and promote siblings' outcomes. Application of a theoretical framework is crucial, as it has implications for supports available to siblings and families, as well as for research, programs, and policy. Here, a bioecological framework is used to organize existing research about siblings of individuals with disabilities and the factors that help or hinder their development and to highlight areas needing further study.

The increasing longevity of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) has raised new issues for families. Individuals with I/DD who face difficulties in achieving full independence might remain dependent on family members such as aging parents, who may be unable to provide continued support. Therefore, reliance on siblings for the future care can be an adaptive action for many families. Sibling caregiving is a universal phenomenon and requires rigorous examination and exploration. Like other carers, siblings require support and services to fulfill their role's expectations. Nonetheless, the degree and kind of support and services needed by them remains undetermined owing to the lack of research. The author reviewed variables that can enhance and complicate sibling caregiving of individuals with I/DD through the application of the Push-Pull model. The Push-Pull model can help in understanding that the role and interaction of multiple influences can have methodological and pedagogical implications for sibling caregiving research, support programs, social law, and policy change. The author notes that the review can provide a foundation for future studies, and she recommends inclusion of siblings in family policies.

The spread of COVID-19 mandated several restrictions, mediated changes in routines, and impacted coping abilities and mental health outcomes. In terms of physical health outcomes, undoubtedly, adults 50 years and older were more severely affected by a higher death rate, medical complications and hospitalization. Nevertheless, how do older adults respond to the uncertainty and scare for life compared to other age groups within the context of COVID-19 remains partially unexplored.

Individuals with disabilities increasingly live at home. This study focuses on experiences of adult siblings (aged 18 years and older) in the United States who have a brother or sister with an intellectual/developmental disability. It is based on qualitative survey data (n = 224). We coded narratives of siblings’ experiences and identified themes, correlating themes with demographic characteristics. The major finding was that narratives of the youngest age group (aged 18-25 years) had the highest number of direct care codes. This group of siblings also had the highest number of codes indicating that their lives were enhanced by their brother or sister. To account for this, we utilize the mutual exchange theory of care from sociology and a social model of disability. As a result, we suggest a richer theoretical understanding of care and disability that can capture these nuances, and comment on some of the historical tensions between disability studies and caregiving.

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