Adult Siblings of Individuals with Special Needs
Being a sibling of an individual with a developmental disability brings unique challenges, along with potential strengths. Because siblings often experience guilt over having any negative feelings about their brother or sister with a disability, it can be difficult to acknowledge their own needs for self-expression and support. I provide a non-judgmental space for siblings to explore the full range of their thoughts and feelings about their personal experience.
Some common difficulties that adult siblings experience include:
Contact me at 646 753-0754 or elaine@elaineoswald.com to learn more about how I help siblings.
Some common difficulties that adult siblings experience include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Putting the needs of others before one’s own needs
- Difficulty identifying one’s own needs and wants
- Survivor guilt
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Perfectionism
- Difficulty expressing anger
- Grief
- Internalizing feelings
- Fear of abandonment
- Excessive care-taking role in relationships
- Resentment
- Concerns about having one’s own children
- Trauma resulting from a sibling’s unpredictable or dangerous behaviors
- Stress related to becoming the primary caretaker or guardian of a sibling with disability
Contact me at 646 753-0754 or elaine@elaineoswald.com to learn more about how I help siblings.
646 753-0754
220 5th Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY 10001
220 5th Avenue, Floor 11, New York, NY 10001