Using Population Data to Explore Sibling Profiles in Families of Children With and Without Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Sibling profiles, including sibling status (only-child or sibling) and sibling characteristics (sibling size, birth order, and sex), can impact on lived experiences and social interactions, and operate as protective or risk factors for a wide range of health and well-being indicators and outcomes. Using population-based data linkage to disability-specific databases, sibling profiles were compared between families of children with and without neurodevelopmental conditions. Families of children with neurodevelopmental conditions were more likely to contain siblings than only-children, and be larger families, with children more likely to have shorter gestational age, lower birthweight, younger mothers, and lower socioeconomic status than other children. The context of unique sibling experiences may be important for understanding how sibling well-being may be influenced by different family circumstances.