Siblings’ Mediated Learning Strategies in Families With and Without Children With Intellectual Disabilities

Dyads of siblings in which the younger sibling had an intellectual disability (ID, n 5 25)
were videotaped interacting. The ID group was compared with typically developing sibling
dyads matched on mental age (n 5 25) and chronological age (n 5 25). We observed the
mediation strategies, activation, and antimediation behaviors of older siblings and younger
siblings’ responsiveness to mediation. Mediation strategies were analyzed by the
Observation of Mediation Interaction scale. The ID group scored highest on mediation
strategies and lowest on activation and antimediation behaviors. Younger siblings’
responsiveness to mediation was highest among the ID group. Mediation for Intentionality
and Reciprocity and Meaning were positively associated with the verbal responsiveness of
the younger siblings. Activation and antimediation behaviors were negatively associated
with the verbal responsiveness.