Sibling of a child with special needs

Catherine Lacey Dodd, Mom & Photo, shares advice for parents with a special needs child on how they make sure that the siblings of the special needs child are also getting their needed attention
Parenting Tips | Concerns Of Siblings Of A Child With Special Needs
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Sibling of a child with special needs

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There is always the concern of a sibling of a child with special needs that they personally feel like they are missing out somehow. Which sounds kind of crazy, but they are not the ones getting all the attention and therapy, even during hospitalization. You really need to find a balance to make sure that both get the attention that they need, so the child that is typically developing doesn't miss out and doesn't feel like they are losing out on something. The positive benefits -- My two children are 18 months apart. They've learned so much from each other. They are actually growing together and learning to speak at the same time. They've taught each other such great social skills, especially for my child with special needs. That's a really important aspect of his life, especially when there are people that have had to do quite difficult things to him. To have that best friend for him, it's just unparalleled.

Catherine Lacey Dodd, Mom & Photo, shares advice for parents with a special needs child on how they make sure that the siblings of the special needs child are also getting their needed attention

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Catherine Lacey Dodd

Mom & Photographer

British born and living in Los Angeles, Catherine Lacey Dodd is the mother to Reuben Jack, age five, and Callum Andreas, age four. She’s a work at home mama, owner/photographer at Catherine Lacey Photography and creative writer. Reuben, whose name means, "behold a beloved son", has CHARGE syndrome. He has undergone 18 surgeries including two open heart and countless hospitalizations. Callum is his much longed for brother and his best friend. She created the blog, ReubenJackDodd, which tells her family’s journey through thought-provoking words juxtaposed with eye catching imagery and the sweet faces of her two little loves. 

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Transcription: 
There is always the concern of a sibling of a child with special needs that they personally feel like they are missing out somehow. Which sounds kind of crazy, but they are not the ones getting all the attention and therapy, even during hospitalization. You really need to find a balance to make sure that both get the attention that they need, so the child that is typically developing doesn't miss out and doesn't feel like they are losing out on something. The positive benefits -- My two children are 18 months apart. They've learned so much from each other. They are actually growing together and learning to speak at the same time. They've taught each other such great social skills, especially for my child with special needs. That's a really important aspect of his life, especially when there are people that have had to do quite difficult things to him. To have that best friend for him, it's just unparalleled.