The Roles of Adult Siblings in the Lives of People with Severe Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have significant support needs that may be filled by their siblings. To understand this relationship, this study sought to investigate the types of roles an individual assumes when they have a sibling with either severe intellectual and developmental disabilities or extensive to pervasive support needs. Findings from this study indicated that these individuals may assume at least four out of seven different roles in their lifetime, such as friend and legal representative.