Siblings report difficulty transitioning and adapting to the primary caregiving role for their siblings with ID. Furthermore, siblings of individuals with an ID are more likely to have poor mental health outcomes, including increased levels of depression and anxiety and lower levels of life satisfaction.Īdditionally, siblings of individuals with ID may be responsible for some or all caregiving throughout childhood and into adulthood. It is important to note that terms like these are intended to emphasize how attitudes and systems relating to disability within societies impact families of individuals with disabilities and do not suggest that disability itself is the causal factor of negative outcomes for families of individuals with disabilities. This can lead siblings to feel different from their peers and that they don’t belong. This term is used to describe when someone experiences discrimination due to their connection to a person with a disability. Research on siblings demonstrates a phenomenon coined disability by association. Siblings of people with ID are more likely than siblings of people without disabilities to struggle with their emotional and mental health. Unfortunately, this also means that siblings of people with ID face a variety of distinct challenges. Siblings often identify their sibling with ID as a big part of their life. Overall, siblings without ID describe having positive relationships with their sibling with ID. Siblings of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are often the longest-standing family ties in a person’s life. Siblings of individuals with disabilities are largely ignored. Despite this, most family support has been directed toward parents of people with disabilities. The pandemic has directed attention toward this lack of support and more resources have been established as a result. Moreover, during COVID-19, significantly more responsibility is placed on the families of people with disabilities because of the cancellation of schools, care programs, and other extracurricular activities. Families may experience financial strain and family tensions resulting from a lack of social support. There are many positive experiences that come with having a family member with a disability, but families can also face significant challenges. “The relationship between me and my brother, it’s strong… our bond is strong. Growing up, you have those people who underestimate you, but my brother would stand up for me, so he is forever there… he is always protecting me.” – Sibling on her relationship with her brother, who has an intellectual disability. Olivia is passionate about research and its applications to develop solutions for complex, real-world issues. Olivia Najdovski is a 2020 Social Connectedness Fellow working with Special Olympics International to better understand the sibling experience of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Resources for intellectual disabilities