Siblings of Disabled Children: A General Overview in terms of Academic Studies

Having a disabled child causes stress for parents and other members of the family. In this process, siblings of the disabled child should be considered as well as parents. It is a difficult situation for a child to have a disabled sibling. Knowing thoughts, emotions and relations of siblings of disabled child provide a perspective about supporting siblings. Consequently, academic studies about children with disabled sibling come into prominence. In the current study, it is aimed to review results of a few studies about children with disabled sibling in Turkey and to reveal a perspective. It is seen that studies generally have focused on self-esteem, academic success, relation with siblings, attitudes, behaviors, experienced problems, ect. There are too few studies about intervention or support program for siblings of disabled children. Studies have revealed the problems and level of self-esteem or anxiety or relationships, but studies also must suggest support programs for children with disabled sibling to cope with these problems.