Being the Older Sibling: Self-Perceptions of Children with Disabilities

This exploratory study explored the experience of being an older sibling, from the perspective of children with disabilities. A phenomenological approach was used to investigate the experiences of 10 children with disabilities. The participants described engagement in older sibling roles that they perceived to positively influence their sense of self. In most instances participants perceived family dynamics, gender and personality to be more influential on this engagement than their impairment. Children with disabilities engage in a diversity of roles as an older sibling. These roles need to be respected and built upon in family centred‐practice to enable children to fully contribute to family life.