Understanding Glass Child Syndrome
BY MADISON VOORHIES
W hen a child in the family has medical, developmental, or behavioral needs that require extra care, parents often find them- selves pouring almost all of their time, energy, and resources into that child. While this is natural and necessary, it can leave their other children feeling over- looked, not because they are fragile, but be- cause they become— in many ways —invis- ible. These siblings are sometimes referred to as “glass children,” a term that describes
the experience of being seen through. Alicia Maples, a former glass child, popularized the phrase in a 2010 TEDx talk, where she explained that “glass” doesn’t mean weak; It means transparent. Many siblings of children with special needs grow up as the “easy ones:” self-sufficient, high-achieving, and rarely demanding at- tention. “Naturally, we are conditioned not to have any problems,” she says. “We are supposed to be perfect. When someone asks us how we’re doing, the answer is always,
‘I’m doing fine.’” Even when a glass child seems to manage everything perfectly, the hidden emotion- al weight of growing up in a high-needs household can quietly shape their child- hood. This often means taking on responsi- bilities far beyond their age and navigating complex family dynamics, sometimes without the support they need. GROWING UP TOO SOON: COSTS & STRENGTHS
50 OCTOBER 2025 | BRPARENTS.COM
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease