The four major life cycle stages are early childhood (birth–5), school age (5–12), adolescent (12–21), and adulthood (21+). Select one of the life cycle stages and discuss both the parental and sibling issues that an individual with an exceptionality may present to his/her family.
What will be an ideal response?
Ans: See chart for possible responses.
Stage Parental Issues Sibling Issues
Early Childhood (Birth–Age 5) Obtaining an accurate diagnosis
Informing siblings and relatives
Locating services
Seeking to find meaning in the exceptionality
Clarifying a personal ideology to guide decisions
Addressing issues of stigma
Identifying positive contributions of exceptionality
Setting great expectations Less parental time and energy for sibling needs
Feelings of jealousy over less attention
Fears associated with misunderstandings of exceptionality
School Age (Ages 5–12) Establishing routines to carry out family functions
Adjusting emotionally to educational implications
Clarifying issues of mainstreaming [inclusion] vs. special class placement
Participating in IEP conferences
Locating community resources
Arranging for extracurricular activities Division of responsibility for any physical care needs
Oldest female sibling may be at risk
Limited family resources for recreation and leisure
Informing friends and teachers
Possible concern about younger sibling surpassing older
Issues of “mainstreaming” into same school
Need for basic information on exceptionality
Adolescence (Ages 12–21) Adjusting emotionally to possible chronicity of exceptionality
Identifying issues of emerging sexuality
Addressing possible peer isolation and rejection
Planning for career/vocational development
Arranging for leisure time activities
Dealing with physical and emotional changes of puberty
Planning for postsecondary education Overidentification with sibling
Greater understanding of differences in people
Influence of exceptionality on career choice
Dealing with possible stigma and embarrassment
Participation in sibling training programs
Opportunity for sibling support groups
Adulthood (Ages 21+) Planning for possible need for guardianship
Addressing the need for appropriate adult implications of dependency
Addressing the need for socialization opportunities outside the family for individuals with exceptionality
Initiating career choice or vocational program Possible issues of responsibility for financial support
Addressing concerns regarding genetic implications
Introducing new in-laws to exceptionality
Need for information on career/living options
Clarifying role of sibling advocacy
Possible issues of guardianship
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