Olivia Najdovski

Olivia graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science specializing in Psychology. She was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Olivia is passionate about research and its applications, fueled by her involvement in psychology research at the University of Toronto. More specifically, she has a strong interest in the application of research findings to develop solutions for complex, real-world issues. Olivia aspires to pursue a PhD in Organizational Behaviour.

Olivia worked with Special Olympics International to better understand the sibling experience of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Community Engagement Initiative

Olivia administered a survey to Special Olympics athlete leaders to better understand athletes’ sibling relationships. She also partook in a podcast hosted by Special Chronicles to discuss her inclusive research along with International Board Member and Athlete Leader Ben Haack. The podcast received 250 live views. Read the report: Sibling Survey and the Special Chronicles Podcast.

Report

Intellectual Disability and Sibling Relationships

This research project sought to address two main questions: (1) How do Special Olympics athletes experience the sibling relationship? (2) What supports are needed for siblings with and without ID? A review of the literature revealed that siblings of individuals with disabilities face a variety of unique challenges, including poor mental health outcomes and caregiving difficulties. Surveys and interviews were conducted to understand the perspectives of Special Olympics athlete leaders and their siblings. Overall, athlete leaders had strong, positive relationships with their siblings. Many siblings of athlete leaders were advocates for inclusion in their community. The majority of challenges that athlete leaders face are a result of negative attitudes towards disability in the community. Athletes leaders and their siblings communicated a desire for programming that facilitates sibling connection and collaboration It was recommended that Special Olympics conduct inclusive athlete-sibling research on a larger scale. Additionally, a variety supports and services for siblings of athletes were recommended.

Keywords

Disability, inclusion, research, siblings, family, Special Olympics, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa

Infographics

To accompany the written report, Olivia produced visual infographics – one detailing the literature review on sibling relationships, and the other detailing the results and recommendations from the report.