This topical guide on EI families with siblings will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse.
Books
Contact us via online form or by phone (1-877-275-3227) to request a resource listed below (or ask your local public librarian).
The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults with Disabilities
Don Meyer and Emily Holl
Woodbine House, 2014
This book is a comprehensive guide for individuals who have siblings with special needs, the feelings that this sibling relationship fosters, and actionable behaviors and resources that will assist in the successful transition from sibling to eventual caregiver.
HV 1570.5 .U6 S53 2014 886381841
Chloe, Instead
Micah Player
Chronicle Books, 2012
This humorous, perceptive snapshot of sibling love is perfect for those who may need a bit of convincing what fun little siblings can be!
For instructions on how to access this eBook, please read Getting Started with eBooks.
PZ 7 .P6989 2012 708763205
Siblings : the Autism Spectrum Through our Eyes
Jane Johnson and Anne Van Rensselaer. (Eds.)
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010
This book is essential reading for children and teenagers with a sibling on the autistic spectrum, and for parents wishing to understand how autism in the family will affect their neurotypical child.
WM 203.5 .J66sib 2010 467711506
Just One of the Kids : Raising a Resilient Family when one of your Children has a Physical Disability
Kay Harris Kriegsman and Sara Palmer
The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013
This book is designed to help parents focus not on what could have been but instead on what can be, so that they, their children, and the grandparents thrive as individuals and as a family. The authors share valuable information for any family with children who have a physical disability, from any cause.
HQ 773.6 .K75 2013 815835237
The Sibling Slam Book: What It’s Really Like to Have a Brother or Sister With Special Needs
Donald Meyer. (Ed.)
Woodbine, 2005
Siblings of special-needs children discuss hopes, fears, frustrations, resentment, and triumphs regarding their life with their siblings.
HQ 773.6 .M612sib 2005 56686343
Siblings and Autism : Stories Spanning Generations and Cultures
Debra Cumberland and Bruce Mills
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2011.
Despite their many differences, the collection of stories in this book show that certain things are common to the “sibling experience”: the emotional terrain of looking on or being overlooked; the confusion of accommodating resentment, love, and helplessness; and above all the yearning to connect across neurological difference.
WM 203.5 .C969s 2011 624546829
Autism in my Family: A Journal for Siblings of Children with ASD
Sandra Tucker
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017
This interactive workbook introduces the experience of autism in simple language that focuses on understanding and supporting a sibling on the spectrum.
WM 203.5 .T795 2017 960844828nbsp;
Emily’s Sister: A Family’s Journey with Dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder
Michelle Gianetti
Your Stories Matter, 2017
This book, written from a child’s perspective, shows how one sibling learns how to understand and help her sister live a happier life.
PZ 7.1 .G3482 2017 975004922
My brother is Special: A Cerebral Palsy Story
Murray Stenton
Loving Healing Press, 2017
This book helps shine some light on the difficulties and the joy siblings of children with special needs experience every day.
PZ 7.1 .St428 2017 963797853
Tell Me the Number before Infinity: The Story of a Girl with a Quirky Mind, an Eccentric Family, and Oh Yes, a Disability
Becky Taylor and Dena Taylor
Many Names Press, 2016
This book, written in two perspectives, tells of a girl’s educational journey and her transition from college into adulthood. Teachers, parents, and counselors can use this book as a guide on the journey to make spaces more welcoming and more supportive.
HQ 759.913 .T2121 2016 935885157
Special Brothers and Sisters
Annette Hames and Monica McCaffrey
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2005
In this book, children and young people explain in their own words what it is like to live with their brothers and sisters, and talk about their feelings of love and frustration, joy and sadness. Full of tips and advice to help siblings cope with their feelings and other issues, this book also provides clear explanations of medical words and different disabilities.
HQ 773 .S64 2005 60590058
The Sibling Effect: What the Bonds Among Brothers and Sisters Reveal About Us
Jeffrey Kluger
Riverhead Books, 2011
This book takes big ideas about siblings and turns them into smart, accessible writing that will help anyone understand the importance of siblings in our lives.
For instructions on how to access this eBook, please read Getting Started with eBooks.
Videos
Contact us to request a resource listed below (or ask your local public librarian). Some videos may be viewed online.
Siblings of autism: the challenge and the hope
30 minutes; DVD
Listen 2 Kids Productions, LLC, 2013
Siblings of kids who have autism have unique perspectives on Autistic Spectrum Disorder. These wise siblings ages four to eighteen tell us about their frustration, their pain, and their growth to acceptance and their exceptional loyalty to their siblings. A must see for parents, professionals and kids who live and work with those diagnosed with ASD.
HQ 773.8 .S53sib 2013 849675469
Understanding Brothers and Sisters on the Autism Spectrum
94 minutes; DVD
Coulter Video, 2007
This video Contains four programs for siblings of children on the autism spectrum and their parents. Each program covers a range of autistic challenges and strengths, and describes techniques siblings can use to get along and support each other
WM 203.5 .U55c 2007 157010109
Organizations
We are still adding to this resource guide. Please check back later for additional resources.
Articles
The journal titles linked below will take you to the publisher's homepage. You can ask your local public librarian how to obtain these articles or contact us for more information.
Young Exceptional Children 13(4)24-35.
Why Won’t He Play With Me? Facilitating Sibling Interactions
Ling-Ling Tsao and Helen McCabe. (2010)
The sibling relationship may be the first and most natural environment for children with
disabilities to learn certain skills. Therefore, using siblings as social interventionists of children with disabilities should be recognized as a potentially effective approach among various social skills interventions.
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29(3), 143-154
Siblings of Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities in Early Intervention
Karen Kresak, et al. (2009)
This study study investigated the perceptions of families regarding the inclusion of siblings of children with disabilities by early intervention providers.
Web Resources
The web resources listed below provide quick and easy access to evidence-based online information.
Sibling Issues
This page discusses the importance of sibling relationships and the impact of a child’s disability on his or her siblings.
12 Ways to Support Siblings of Children with Disabilities
This blog post, excerpted and adapted from the book Sibshops: Workshops for Siblings of Children with Special Needs,sprovides recommendations from real-life brothers and sisters to help you understand and meet the needs of siblings.
5 Ways to Support Siblings in Special Needs Families
This article provides five ideas to help children handle the challenges that come with having a sibling with special needs.
Caring for Siblings of Kids With Special Needs
This page helps parents to understand what your typically developing child or teen might be thinking and feeling when their sibling has a disability. Also available in Spanish.