Siblings

At present, more than 526,000 adults with disabilities are older than 60 years of age, and that number is expected to triple-- to over 1.5 million -- by 2030. Most of these adults are in some way cared for or supported by their siblings. Although some research exists on sibling relationships in early to middle childhood, much less is known about the nature of adult sibling relationships and the factors that contribute to positive relationships and developmental outcomes in adulthood.

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Services and Programs

Research Family Partners
Research Family Partners is a program that helps families connect with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center research studies in which they may be interested in taking part.
SibSaturday Day Camp Program
A family-centered resource and support program for siblings of children with special needs.
Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS)
A support and networking group for adult siblings of individuals with disabilities.
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder - An internet community and statewide helpline
Phone, web, and print resources in English and Spanish to connect the Tennessee disability community with service providers. Referral services, free of cost, are provided to persons with disabilities, family members, service providers, and advocates.
Tennessee Kindred Stories of Disability
Families, friends and service providers share their stories about people living with disability in Tennessee.

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Printable Resources and Materials

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Links and Resources

Adult Sibling Survey
Of all family ties, our relationships with our siblings last the longest. We would like to understand the lifelong relationship of adult siblings to their brother or sister with disabilities.
Sibling Leadership Network
The mission of the Sibling Leadership Network is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their entire families.
Sibling Support Project
The Sibling Support Project is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.
Siblings - Health Library, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Links and information concerning siblings of children with chronic illness and disability.

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Video, Podcast and Images

Fifth Annual TABS Conference Photo Gallery
The Fifth Annual Tennessee Adult Brothers and Sisters (TABS) Conference was held April 5-6, 2013, at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt in Nashville. Over 50 siblings were in attendance to network and to learn about a variety of services and supports relevant both for themselves and for their brothers and sisters with disabilities.

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