How to Support Siblings of Children with Special Needs
Author: Mokshvi Shah, BS Northeastern University Student
Published: January 2026
When one child in the family has special needs, such as autism, ADHD, or a developmental difference, siblings often play a unique and important role. They may grow up with greater empathy and patience, but they can also experience feelings of confusion, jealousy, or loneliness as they adapt to their sibling’s needs and the family’s dynamics.
At The FLOAAT Center in Gainesville, Florida, we help families navigate these relationships with understanding and care. Supporting siblings is an essential part of supporting the whole family. Here’s how parents can nurture emotional balance and connection among all their children.
Understanding the Sibling Experience
Siblings of children with special needs often live with both love and complexity. They may feel protective and proud, yet also worry about their sibling’s future or wish for more attention themselves.
Common experiences include:
Uneven attention: Parents may unintentionally spend more time managing therapies, appointments, or crises for the child with special needs.
Confusion or guilt: Siblings might not fully understand their brother or sister’s differences, or may feel guilty for being frustrated.
Embarrassment or social tension: In public or at school, siblings might worry about peers’ reactions.
Maturity beyond their years: Some take on caregiving or emotional support roles early, which can lead to burnout or loss of childhood spontaneity.
Recognizing these challenges allows parents to validate their children’s emotions and strengthen family unity.
How Parents Can Provide Support
1. Create Space for All Feelings
Encourage open, judgment-free conversations. Let siblings express frustration, sadness, or confusion without guilt. Simple statements like “It’s okay to feel that way” can go a long way.
2. Offer Age-Appropriate Information
Children cope better when they understand what’s happening. Use language suited to their age to explain their sibling’s condition, for example, “Your brother’s brain works differently, and that’s why loud noises make him upset.”
Knowledge reduces fear and fosters empathy.
3. Make One-on-One Time a Priority
Even short moments of individual attention, a trip to the park, reading together, or a bedtime chat, remind siblings that they are just as important and loved. Quality matters more than quantity.
4. Acknowledge Their Efforts and Strengths
Siblings often take on extra responsibilities. Thank them genuinely, but also remind them it’s not their job to be another parent. Reinforce their right to have their own interests and boundaries.
5. Encourage Peer Support
Connecting with other siblings in similar families, through support groups or community events, can help children feel understood and less alone. The FLOAAT Center can recommend local and online resources in the Gainesville area.
6. Balance Family Routines
Try to maintain predictable routines, family rituals, and shared fun time. Structure helps everyone feel grounded, even in a busy household.
Signs a Sibling May Need Extra Support
Sometimes siblings internalize their stress or hide their emotions to “not make things harder.” Watch for signs that they may benefit from additional support, such as:
Withdrawal or isolation
Sudden academic decline
Increased irritability or perfectionism
Changes in appetite or sleep
Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches
Individual therapy can offer a safe space for siblings to process feelings, learn coping skills, and develop confidence in their unique role within the family.
Helping Siblings Build Resilience
Siblings of children with special needs often develop incredible strengths: empathy, patience, adaptability, and problem-solving. Parents can nurture these traits by:
Encouraging independence and self-expression
Celebrating achievements unrelated to their sibling’s progress
Helping them set boundaries when needed
Modeling emotional regulation and self-care as a family
When siblings see that it’s okay for everyone to have needs, and that love doesn’t depend on perfection, they feel more secure and valued.
How The FLOAAT Center Supports the Whole Family
At The FLOAAT Center, we recognize that supporting neurodivergent children means supporting their entire ecosystem. Our clinicians offer:
Sibling-focused therapy to help children express emotions and strengthen coping skills.
Family therapy sessions that improve communication and reduce tension.
Parent coaching to help balance attention and emotional energy across all children.
Our goal is to foster family harmony, where every child feels seen, supported, and loved.
Building a Connected Family
When siblings are supported emotionally, they become incredible allies, not just for their brother or sister, but for the whole family. They learn compassion, resilience, and understanding that lasts a lifetime.
At The FLOAAT Center in Gainesville, we help families build this foundation of empathy and balance, ensuring that everyone, parents, children, and siblings alike, can thrive together.
