# Support Needs and Available Resources for School‐Aged Siblings of Children With Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study

## TL;DR

This study explores the support needs of school-aged siblings of children with disabilities and finds that available resources often do not match these needs.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific unmet support needs of siblings and highlights the fragmentation of current support resources in the Netherlands and Belgium.

## Key findings

- Siblings need social, emotional, and quality time support, which is often insufficiently addressed by available resources.
- Available resources are fragmented and not easily accessible, making it hard for families to find appropriate support.
- Some specific needs, like learning to manage their sibling's behavior, are rarely addressed by current resources.

## Abstract

This study aimed to provide insight into the support needs of siblings (6–12 years) of children with intellectual disabilities and/or visual impairments, and in the match with sibling support resources that are available in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Semi‐structured interviews about support needs were conducted with 13 siblings. A grey document review identified 255 organisations and 134 books, texts and media sources that offer (indirect) support to siblings. Thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data and found resources.

Siblings described diverse challenges and support needs, such as social and emotional support, receiving quality time and attention, and contact with peers. The found resources were fragmented, mainly focused on a broader target group, and only partially matched siblings' needs. Some support needs, such as learning to deal with their siblings' behaviour, were insufficiently addressed.

These insights can help better align sibling support needs with available resources.

Siblings are part of the social context of the family. Therefore, supporting siblings can benefit the whole family, including the children with a disability. In this research we studied the support needs and support resources for siblings of children with intellectual disabilities and/or visual impairments.Interviews showed that siblings need support with the challenges and emotions they experience in their family (e.g., dealing with the behaviour of their sibling or talking to someone about their worries).A website search in the Netherlands and Belgium showed that several support resources for siblings are offered. However, these resources are scattered across the care system and not easy to find. Also, some support that siblings wish to receive is barely offered.This study outlines the support siblings seek and offers examples of how it can be provided. This can help organisations offer and families find the support siblings need.

Siblings are part of the social context of the family. Therefore, supporting siblings can benefit the whole family, including the children with a disability. In this research we studied the support needs and support resources for siblings of children with intellectual disabilities and/or visual impairments.

Interviews showed that siblings need support with the challenges and emotions they experience in their family (e.g., dealing with the behaviour of their sibling or talking to someone about their worries).

A website search in the Netherlands and Belgium showed that several support resources for siblings are offered. However, these resources are scattered across the care system and not easy to find. Also, some support that siblings wish to receive is barely offered.

This study outlines the support siblings seek and offers examples of how it can be provided. This can help organisations offer and families find the support siblings need.