Eight things siblings of children with special needs struggle with

1. Feeling like they need to be perfect

2. Feeling like they can't express their feelings

3. Having a different idea of family and home

4. Feeling as though their problems are minimized

5. Feeling isolated

6. Dealing with intolerance early and often

7. Feeling like they are asked to help too much

8. Feeling like they must grow up quickly

Article originally in The Washington Post by Jamie Davis Smith, a mother of four, civil rights attorney and member of Little Lobbyists and Health Care Voter.