{"id":217414,"date":"2020-01-26T15:21:22","date_gmt":"2020-01-26T21:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=217414"},"modified":"2020-01-24T22:19:23","modified_gmt":"2020-01-25T04:19:23","slug":"study-children-siblings-intellectual-disabilities-benefit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/study-children-siblings-intellectual-disabilities-benefit\/","title":{"rendered":"Study: Children who have siblings with intellectual disabilities benefit from the experience"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Researchers looking at the effects of growing up with a sibling with an intellectual disability have found positives that are often downplayed or ignored. The Times of Israel reports<\/a>, \u201cSiblings of intellectually disabled children are more empathetic, better at teaching and enjoy better relationships with their siblings.\u201d<\/p>\n

The finding comes from research done at Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa. As part of the study, researchers asked mothers and children about sibling relationships using artwork and questionnaires. In particular, the study examined the relationship of developmentally average siblings with their siblings who have an intellectual disability.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a child with a disability in a family places unique demands on all family members, including typically developing siblings,\u201d Tel Aviv University professor Anat Zaidman-Zait said in a statement<\/a> about the research. \u201cAlthough challenges exist, they are often accompanied by both short- and long-term positive contributions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The research showed benefits for siblings of an intellectually disabled child, especially social skills and family harmony. Zaidman-Zait explained, \u201cWe found that children with siblings with intellectual disabilities scored higher on empathy, teaching and closeness and scored lower on conflict and rivalry than those with typically developing siblings.\u201d<\/p>\n