Effect of Sibling Perception of Differential Parental Treatment in Sibling Dyads With One Disabled Child

A Longitudinal Study of Siblings of Children with Chronic Disabilities

“…We have reported elsewhere that sibling relationship factors on their own are not predictive ofadjustment problems for unaffected siblings over time (51). While greater sibling warmth and lower sibling conflict were protective factors for siblings ofDS and control children (but not PDD children) at the time of initial sampling (14), this was less evident at follow-up.…”

“I Like That He Always Shows Who He Is”: The perceptions and experiences of siblings with a brother with autism spectrum disorder

“…Support groups might additionally be helpful in that they may offer siblings a type of respite. Wolf et al (1998) suggested that securing a supportive relationship for the typically developing sibling outside of a stressful family system may be an important component of intervention that would benefit siblings of children with pervasive developmental disorder. A similar suggestion might operate for siblings of those with ASD.…”

“…Some researchers report that children with a brother or sister with autism are at a higher risk for internalising and externalising behaviour problems (Fisman et al, 1996;Fisman, Wolf, Ellison, & Freeman, 2000;Gold, 1993;Hastings, 2003a;Rodrigue, Geffken, & Morgan, 1993;Ross & Cuskelly, 2006;Verte, Royers, & Buysse, 2003;Wolf, Fisman, Ellison, & Freeman, 1998) and for impoverished sibling and peer relationships (Bägenholm & Gillberg, 1991;Hastings 2003a;Kaminsky & Dewey, 2001) compared to siblings of children with another disability or typically developing children. Other researchers suggest that siblings of children with autism may not be at increased risk for such difficulties (Hastings 2007;Kaminsky & Dewey, 2002;Mates, 1990;Pilowsky, 2004).…”

Supporting positive sibling relationships during childhood

“…The impact of differential treatment may be associated with the etiology of the child with a disability [Stoneman, 1998]. Wolf et al [1998] found that differential attention to children with Down syndrome was associated with adjustment problems in typically developing siblings. For siblings of children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), the reverse was true.…”