If you have a sibling who is special then you the responsibility of taking care of them falls on you. Your parents, as adults, are more aware of how to deal with the disorder or condition. But it’s very understandable that you, as a young adult yourself, might find it difficult or helpless in many situations. The pressure increases when the special sibling leans on you for emotional support because your age is more relatable for them more than your parents’. So if you are in this situation, here’s a guide on how you can extend support, love and care to this sibling.

1. It’s very normal for siblings to generally fight over the parents’ attention and crave for it. Having to compete for parental attention might lead to resentment towards the parents or the sibling for soaking up the attention. But your situation is slightly different and you are in a tough spot where you have to come to terms with the fact that your brother or sister needs it more than you do. All though, experts suggest that the other child should openly ask for attention or care if he feels completely deprived of it.
2. Don’t ever feel embarrassed about your sibling in front of your friends. On the contrary, show them how much you love your sibling.
3. As discussed previously, some special children establish a better relationship with their sibling than the one they have with the parents. This is because they find it easier to connect with you because of the age difference. If you have a sibling who leans on you more, find a way to understand their needs. It does take some effort to understand what they require or what is going on, in their minds. But a way to find out what they are trying to communicate in their language.
4. Respond well to challenging moments. You are going to come across a prick who gets annoyed by your sibling’s behavior or a random acquaintance who lectures you on how to deal with a gifted sibling. Learn to keep your calm in these situations and protect your sibling’s feelings.

Educating a child with special needs contributes to the normalcy in their lives. So if you have a gifted sibling, make sure they receive education from a good school that positively contributes to their growth. If you are looking for such a school, you can find them on Sulekha.