Both the population of siblings of youth with developmental disabilities (DDs) and the popularity of clinical services designed for these youth are on the rise. However, the research base for such services has yet to be evaluated. A systematic review of studies on intervention and support for siblings of youth with DDs was conducted in order to evaluate the current state of the literature and provide recommendations for research and practice. Sixteen articles were selected and reviewed in terms of their experimental design, participant characteristics, measurement, intervention or support group protocol, outcomes, and dissemination of findings. Results indicate substantial variability in both methodology and outcomes across sibling-focused intervention and support group studies, which put the overall effects and utility of these services into question. Recommendations for future research are outlined, with a focus on advancing a more systematic and careful approach to asking and effectively answering questions about siblings, their families, and meaningful services for both.

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Evidence suggests that pain interferes with sleep in youth with developmental disabilities. This study examined the relationship between pain and sleep problems in a sample of youth with parent-reported autism spectrum disorder (N = 62). Mothers reported on standardized measures of pain and sleep problems. Youth demonstrated atypically high levels of both observed pain and sleep problems. Pain predicted overall sleep disturbance and three specific sleep problems: sleep duration, parasomnias, and sleep-disordered breathing. These specific sleep problems were predicted by specific modalities of nonverbal pain communication (e.g. sleep duration problems were predicted by social communication of pain). Effects were consistent across probing of relevant moderators. These findings suggest that comprehensive assessment of both pain and sleep problems may provide important information for medical and behavioral treatment planning for youth with autism spectrum disorder.

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