Myoma, cerebral palsy, autism what\u27s that, Mommy?: A study on the Filipino child\u27s attitudes towards his handicapped sibling

The purpose of this study is to identify new variables, explanations or other factors that affect the attitudes of siblings towards their handicapped siblings. This is an exploratory study utilizing the case study method. Purposive sampling was used in looking for subjects, and following a criteria, which were subjects must 1.) be between 8-14 years old, 2.) have a handicapped sibling, 3.) living in the same house as the handicapped sibling and parents, and 4.) have a handicapped sibling who also belong to his age bracket were followed. A total of six respondents were referred to us by contact persons. These respondents were interviewed using the narrative style of questioning. Case analysis and cross case analysis were used in studying the results. Results of the study show that siblings living under one roof interact a lot, and they have different feelings and thinking and they exhibit different behaviors-which can be both favorable and unfavorable. This is partly because it is influenced by their parents, relatives, peers and society. Results also show that behavior is not highly consistent with their feelings and thinking. Positive feelings elicit favorable behavior but negative feelings doesn\u27t necessarily elicit negative behavior. Siblings of handicapped children, considering their young age, have a big responsibility ahead of them because they have to compensate for their handicapped siblings\u27 incapabilities