Helpful Tips for Siblings
Brothers and sisters need information to understand
what has happened and what it means to have a brain
injury. Parents can help by doing the following:
• Explain exactly what happened in understandable lan-
guage.
• Explain medical terms, tests, and procedures.
• Answer questions directly, but simply.
• Admit what they don’t know.
• Give information as soon as they can.
• Reassure them that the injured child is getting good
care.
Siblings need to be prepared for hospital visits, especially
the first time.
• Let them choose when to visit and for how long.
• Tell them it is okay to feel nervous or scared.
• Before the visit, describe how their brother or sister
looks and behaves.
• Describe equipment, such as monitors, ventilators, IV
lines, and catheters.