Healthy sibling relationships can be a wonderful source of love and support. Siblings help each other to learn about fairness, cooperation, kindness and caring – often the hard way. Sibling arguments are a normal part of learning.
Brothers and sisters of children who are deaf or hard of hearing can feel like the forgotten ones and experience resentment and jealousy. They may feel that their deaf sibling receives more attention and special privileges. They are often given more responsibility by their parents and may feel it’s unfair and feel a lack of individuality.
Growing up with a brother or sister who is deaf or hard of hearing will shape who the siblings are and how they operate in the world.
As a parent, you can support healthy relationships between your children. The key to any good relationship is positive communication, between parent and child, and between siblings.
Check out the links for more information and recommendations, such as organising regular parent dates with each hearing child.
Download the Real Life Tip infographic.
More information:
- Brothers and sisters and communication
- Siblings | Hands & Voices article
- Siblings Australia
- Brothers and sisters | Deaf Children Australia
- Growing up with a special needs sibling | First Five Years
- Supporting siblings of children who are deaf or hard of hearing – webinar
