Are siblings included in the definition of “family?
” Many educational and health care agencies have begun to embrace an expansive definition of families (e.g., IFSPs, family-centered care). However, providers may still need to be reminded that there is more to a family than the child with special needs and his or her parents. Organizations that use the word “parent” when “family” or “family member” is more appropriate send a message to brothers and sisters, grandparents and other family members that the organization is not for them. With siblings and primary-caregiver grandparents assuming increasingly active roles in the lives of people with disabilities and health impairments, we cannot afford to exclude anyone. Does the agency reach out to brothers and sisters? Parents and agency personnel should consider inviting (but not requiring) brothers and sisters to attend informational, IEP, IFSP, and transition planning meetings and clinic visits. Siblings frequently have legitimate questions that can be answered by service providers. Brot
