Supporting Siblings in Families with Autism

Key Points

Understanding siblings’ experiences: Understand the unique challenges and rewarding moments siblings of autistic children face.
Role of parents and caregivers: Learn how parents can create a supportive family environment through open, honest conversations about autism and by recognising siblings’ feelings.
Strengthening family bonds: Discover ways to strengthen family bonds through one-on-one time and shared activities.
Using helpful resources: Find useful books, videos, and other resources that offer insights and support. Learn how shared activities can create positive memories and deepen sibling connections.
Planning for the future: Navigate future care for autistic siblings while balancing responsibilities and self-care.

“To be the sister of a child with autism means every day is crazy and you never know what to expect. It’s stressful. It’s chaotic. You grow up very quickly.”

~ Extract from
What It’s Like to Have a Sibling with Autism

Having an autistic sibling comes with its unique set of joys and challenges. It’s natural to have mixed feelings about the situation. Anyone with siblings knows that the relationship can be a rollercoaster. There are moments of disagreement and conflict, but there are also moments of deep love and support where you’d do anything for them.

When a child is diagnosed with autism, the whole family needs to adapt. Siblings often have to make compromises and adjust to their autistic sibling’s needs. This can sometimes make them feel overlooked or jealous, and it might be tough for them to maintain a social life.

Yet, siblings of autistic children often grow to be incredibly compassionate, tolerant, and sensitive to the needs of others. They also become more independent as their parents’ attention is focused on their sibling.

Parents, caregivers, and support networks play a crucial role in nurturing sibling relationships. By helping siblings understand autism and acknowledging their difficult feelings, they can foster a loving and supportive environment for everyone in the family.

Stories: Growing Up with an Autistic Sibling

Listen to the heartfelt stories of Ara and Arena, Adam’s younger and older sisters, as they navigate the challenges and joys of living with an autistic sibling. The episode begins with Ara’s perspective, sharing her early experiences with her brother’s autism, followed by Arena’s account of how their lives changed as Adam’s condition demanded more attention from their parents.

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Follow their journey on Adam’s Autism Family

Autism Diaries EP3 | Luahan Adik Beradik Adam –
Kehidupan Bersama Adam, Pengalaman & Kesan Pada Diri

Autism Diaries EP3 | Luahan Adik Beradik Adam – Kehidupan Bersama Adam, Pengalaman & Kesan Pada Diri

Stories: Delve into the life of Sarah

an autistic teenager, as seen through her own eyes and those of her siblings.

Being Sarah: Living with autism

Tips for Parents and Other Family Members

You can strengthen your children’s relationships by openly discussing and explaining autism.

Start early

Talk about autism as soon as you think your child can understand, or as soon as they’re old enough to notice
that their sibling is different from other children.
Use age-appropriate language.

Be open

Create a safe space for your children to share and talk about their feelings and concerns as a family.
Make time to sit with your family, such as through regular family meetings, and be open about your own feelings and experiences.

Be honest

Use simple, direct language to explain your child’s condition to their siblings.
Without accurate information, children may make up their own explanations, adding to further confusion and anxiety.

Focus on strengths as well as challenges

Help your other children see and understand their sibling as a whole person.
Highlight their strengths, such as having a good memory, as well as the challenges they face, like getting overwhelmed in noisy places

You can adapt the following steps for different age groups:

STEP 1 : Find out what your child already knows.

“Adam is autistic. Have you heard of autism?”

“Have you noticed that Adam plays differently from you?”

STEP 2: Use simple language and concepts that your child can understand.

“Autism means that some kids’ brains work differently. They might play in different

ways, have trouble talking, or get upset by loud noises.”

“Autism is like having a different way of seeing and understanding the world. It’s ok to

be different. It just means that we might need to find new ways to play together and

understand each other.”

STEP 3 : Repeat as many times as necessary.

Helpful Resources

Books

There are several excellent books for explaining autism to children. Some of these are listed below.

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer, Noah Chases the Wind by Michelle Worthington, My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, Leah’s Voice by Lori Demonia, My Brother Otto by Meg Raby, Uniquely Wired: A Story About Autism and Its Gifts by Julia Cook