BrothErs and Sisters involvement in health care TranSition for youth wIth Brain-based disabilitieS (BEST SIBS) Study

We are looking for siblings to take part in a research study to understand their experiences with their brother or sister with a brain-based disability who is preparing for health care transition in Ontario.

BEST SIBS Silhouette

Are you a sibling of someone with a disability? You have a voice too! 

We are looking for siblings who:

  • are 14 to 40 years old
  • have a sibling who is 14-21 years old with a child-onset neurodisability (for example, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability or spina bifida)
  • live in Ontario

Siblings participants will be asked to talk with us in an interview (by Zoom or telephone) and share photographs that describe their sibling relationship. We are offering a $20 e-gift card as a thank-you for participating in this study.

For more information, please contact NGUYEL7@mcmaster.ca, visit or study website or watch the BEST SIBS recruitment video!

You will be asked to:

  • participate in an interview
  • bring photographs that describe your sibling relationship and
  • share your story about your sibling relationship related to preparing for health care transition.

The interview will be about 1 hour long.

You will have the option to have the interview: a) by telephone; or b) online through the Zoom program.

We hope to raise awareness about siblings’ experiences and their roles during health care transition. These stories can help us to create resources to support siblings, and shared with families and health care providers.

For more information or to volunteer for this study, please contact:
Linda Nguyen, PhD Candidate
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
Email: nguyel7@mcmaster.ca

This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (Project Number 7932)