Topics reviewed in this article:

1. Greetings

2. Show affection

3. Talk with your special needs child

4. Do an activity

5. Spend time together out in the community

6. Assist with daily needs

You may have a special needs child and other children. Your other children may not know how to interact with his or her sister or brother with a disability. Perhaps they do not know that they should greet them when they see them. More than likely, they do not how important it is to establish a bond between each other. You being a special needs parent would like them to have a loving relationship. However, you need some guidance to encourage your other children to have a loving relationship with your special needs child.

1. Greetings

A simple way of improving your children’s relationship is reminding them that they should greet each other throughout the day. When they wake up, he or she should say hi or good morning to his or her sister or brother every day. If they leave for school or for another reason, saying good bye would help your special one feel included.

2. Show affection

Having their siblings show your special one affection would make him or her feel loved. A hug or kiss on their cheek instills a sense of importance to your special needs child. Cuddling together while watching a video is another way for siblings to show their special sister or brother love and affection.

Even a touch on their arm, back or leg would be loving to him or her. They can hold their sibling’s hand while they are at home, in the car, out in the community or when they are upset.

3. Talk with your special child

Have his or her siblings talk with your special one. It is essential for your other children to engage with him or her.

Here are some questions they can ask: How was your day? Did you enjoy your day? What was the favorite part of your day? Did you like a book you read or an activity you did? Which book is your favorite? Did you like the video you watched?

Additionally, they can give their sister or brother a choice of some kind. For instance, they can hold up two books to choose from for story time. If your special one is nonverbal, they can pick a choice with their eye gaze or hands.

Hearing the words, ”I love you.” can also make your child with a disability feel quite special.

Your special needs child may not be able to answer like his sibling, but your special one would love being talked to.

4. Do an activity together

Your special needs would love to participate in an activity with their brother or sister. How they participate in the activity will depend on their capabilities. The more severe their disabIlities are, the more difficulty they will have and more assistance they will need.

In order for your child to engage in the activity, you or possibly their sibling can do hand over hand with your child. Perhaps your child can only participate in certain activities. For example, they can only play catch with a large ball or knock over bowling pins. Maybe he or she can knock over blocks with their hand instead of building them.

5. Spend time together out in the community

Quality time spent together in the community would be memorable and a wonderful experience for your special needs child and sibling(s). Many community outings can be participated in by your children and the whole family. However, finding the right activity or outing your special needs child can engage in can be challenging. Additionally, some adaptations can help make the activity or outing be successful.

The following are ideas for community outings or actIvities:

• Bowling
• Miniature golf or hitting golf balls at a range
• Read aloud and/ or pick out books at your local library
• Walking or strolling in your neighborhood or a forest preserve
• Going to a park
• Having a picnic
• Painting ceramics at a local ceramics store
• Go out to eat your favorite food at a restaurant
• Seeing an outdoor concert
• Bicycle riding
• Swimming at a pool or a water park

6. Assist with daily needs

Another way her or his brother or sister can engage with your special needs child is assisting you as a parent with their care. For instance, they could get a towel to clean their mouth after eating or find their shoes before leaving for school. Brushing or combing their hair would be a nice way to help him or her.

Other ways to help:

• Put their shoes on or take shoes off.
• Put on or take off their socks
• Place a blanket on them.
• Feed them a snack if they are able to eat orally.
• Push their stroller or wheelchair when they are out in the community.
• Smooth in lotion on their hands.

In conclusion, it is essential that your other children and your special needs child interact with one another. Having a positive relationship with him or her is necessary. Your special needs child needs to feel loved and cared for by her/ his sibling(s).

To develop a loving relationship between your special needs child and their siblings, you can encourage them in several ways. A simple greeting is one way to grow their friendship. Spending time with one another, either playing a game at home or doing an activity out in your community is a perfect way to do just that.

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Ways to Enhance the Relationship between Your Special Needs Child and Their Siblings

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