Session 9 - Keynote: The sibling subsystem in families with a child with Down syndrome: Processes and outcomes.
Monica Cuskelly, Director of Research, Applied Research Centre for Disability and Wellbeing, University of Tasmania, Australia.
Sibling relationships are usually the longest lasting relationships in an individual’s life. They are recognised a being important throughout the life span, contributing to cognitive and social development during childhood and providing emotional and practical support in adulthood. This relationship has been largely overlooked in the research with families in which there is a child with Down syndrome. Both the individual with Down syndrome and their brothers/sisters are likely to be influenced by their siblings and to be an influence on them in return. In order to understand these reciprocal influences, the areas of development (e.g., language and understanding of others) that may be impacted by siblings, with and without Down syndrome, remain to be established. In addition, the ways (processes) by which this impact occurs need to be examined. There is potential to support these processes, and thus enhance developmental outcomes for both those with Down syndrome and their brothers/sisters. This presentation will discuss the research that does exist but will also identify important but neglected areas of research that could illuminate ways in which to promote positive outcomes for both the individual with Down syndrome and their brothers/sisters.
