1. Be honest, no one knows the extent of recovery, particularly in the early weeks or months following brain injury. Keep your options open and hope alive.
2. Give your other children information about brain injury and allow them to participate in their sibling’s treatment.
3. Encourage children to talk about and write about their sibling’s injury and feelings about the event.
4. Understand and validate differences in your children’s reactions. For example: One sibling may refuse to visit the hospital and learn about the injury, while the other does the opposite. Reassure them that it’s okay to feel as they do.
5. Invite children to support groups to expose them to other families with similar problems; this will help them feel less “different” and alone.
6. Help young children prepare “show and tell” or school reports about brain injury to increase the awareness of their peer group.
7. Make individual time for your other children by asking family and friends to help you out.