You are invited to participate in a survey evaluating the effects on siblings from living with a brother or sister with Smith-Magenis syndrome. Siblings, ages 7 and older, of individuals diagnosed with SMS and their parents are eligible to fill out a survey. We are conducting research to investigate how living with a sibling with SMS positively and negatively influences the following:

* The sibling's personality
* The sibling's relationship with his or her sibling with SMS
* The sibling's relationships with his or her parents

Parents are also invited to take the survey. Parents' responses will be compared to siblings' responses in order to examine how closely related parents' and siblings' perceptions are regarding the positive and negative impacts on the sibling from living with a brother or sister with SMS.

The following surveys are available on the internet:

Sibling Survey, siblings under 18 years of age - https://survey.vcu.edu/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?idx=E567FM
Sibling Survey, siblings ages 18 and older - https://survey.vcu.edu/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?idx=3G5YAC
Parent Survey - https://survey.vcu.edu/cgi-bin/qwebcorporate.dll?idx=MDQSEE

By choosing to participate in this survey you will help researchers to better understand both the rewards and challenges that families experience as a result of having a child with SMS. This research will also assist parents towards gaining insight into their well-child's experiences and feelings. Participants can register to be eligible for one of two $50 gift cards to www.amazon.com.

You may contact us directly if you would prefer a paper version. For additional information or to request a paper version of the survey, please contact Dr. Sarah Elsea at selsea@vcu.edu, or contact genetic counseling graduate student Melanie Moshier at moshierm@vcu.edu. You may also reach us at (804) 828-9632, ext 123.

Thank you for your interest and support of Smith-Magenis syndrome research.