Helping Siblings of Children with Trauma

When one child in a foster, adoptive, or kinship family struggles with attachment or trauma—such as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)—their brothers and sisters are deeply affected too. Siblings often face confusion, stress, and even secondary trauma, yet they’re rarely given the tools to understand what’s happening or how to cope. This guide highlights books, activity ideas, and conversation tools created specifically to support siblings. These resources help children and teens process their emotions, maintain healthy relationships, and build resilience.

This website contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — but I only recommend books and resources I’ve personally used or truly believe will help families.

• A Grandfamily for Sullivan: Coping Skills for Family Separation
  (Beth Winkler Tyson)
  A hopeful, charming story about kinship care to help young children with their adjustment to new circumstances.
• Arania and the Bugs: A Story About Reactive Attachment Disorder for Siblings
  (Patrick & Justus McCraine)
  A book written by RAD siblings to affirm their own experience and that of other RAD siblings.
• Lifebook for Adopted Children
  Beautiful FREE life book downloads with a version for younger and older children. Opens in Canva for printing.
• RAD Sibs
  Organization which provides an online community, resources, and support groups for siblings of RAD kids.
• Someone Like You
  (Addie Davis) 
  Book written for RAD Siblings so they’ll know they aren’t alone.
• The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself
  (Ali Redford) 
  This lovely story, written by an adoptive parent, gently describes the emotional wall some children build to protect themselves and keep safe after experiencing early childhood trauma. On one side of this “wall” is the caregiver, and on the other side the child.
• The Brain Game
  (Family Futures)
  A psycho-educational, 20-minute video, designed to teach children about how trauma may have impacted their brain and what they can do about it.
• The War that Saved my Life
  (Kimberly Brubaker Bradley)
  Historical fiction for 9- to 12-year-olds about a girl who develops RAD. New York Times Best Seller and is 5-star rated on Amazon.
• Trauma and the Incredible Hulk
  (Jacob Ham) 
  This YouTube video will resonate with RAD kids and RAD sibs helping them understand the disorder using the analogy of the Incredible Hulk.
• TEDxSanAntonio: Recognizing Glass Children
  (Alicia Maples) 
  This isn’t specific to RAD, but about “glass children,” a term used for siblings of special needs kids who often don’t get their needs met.
• What it’s like being the sibling of a child with RAD
  An eye-opening and important look at how siblings are impacted by their brother or sister with RAD.
• Ben BubbleHead – Conquers the Bubbles of Anger
  Empowers children to manage anger and provides parents with effective strategies for supporting their child’s emotional well-being. 

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out: Tools to Help Others Understand RAD & Attachment Trauma