Sibling Rivalry: How Brothers and Sisters can Cope with Autistic Family Members[amazon_link asins=’1849058296′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’lear01-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’42531169-aafc-11e7-814a-0fa51eadcc12′]

When a family member is diagnosed with autism, there is a vast amount of information teaching parents how to cope with an autistic child, and there is also information for parents about dealing with an autistic child’s different behaviors. However, when it comes to tools for the sibling of that autistic child, there are just not enough tools or groups for these siblings to cope.  Our daughter had a really hard time understanding what was going on with her younger brother, but we wanted to make it clear to her that she is always going to be a big sister not a second mother or father to her autistic brother.  There is always a sense of guilt sometimes, when we paid way more attention to her brother, especially during the early years and even now in the middle school years but in time, things started to get a little easier and manageable, but there are still those meltdowns and miscommunications that will never just go away. The following tips can help children cope with an autistic sibling.

Sometimes parents are so involved in preparing themselves and their autistic child for the transition ahead that they forget that their other children must also deal with the new situation. Often, siblings of an autistic child may feel the new situation acutely. They may feel neglected by parents or jealous of the autistic child.  Also, they may find their peers constantly teasing them about having an autistic sibling, which can lead to more stress and may cause or lead to behavioral issues.

However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, having an autistic sibling forces one to “grow up” and become responsible. There can be a strong emotional attachment to the autistic sibling and a keen desire to keep him or her safe in all situations. Furthermore, living with an autistic sibling can teach one to be more open about another person’s differences. In this way, having an autistic sibling is a life-enriching experience that pushes individuals to be emotionally and mentally stronger and to be more tolerant towards others in life.

One tip for siblings to cope with their autistic brother or sister is to find a support group. There should be resources available at the local chapter of the Autism Society of America. This is really important in helping siblings feel that they are not alone and isolated in this unfolding situation-others are dealing with the same sorts of problems. Also, try to increase family interaction. Schedule a regular family day or family night each week, where all children can spend time with parents or other family members and share their day or week experiences and any problems. The most important thing to remember is to remember to be open about how you are feeling. If children feel that their parents are neglecting some aspect of their life, simply asking them for a moment of their time is often the best solution. It is important for parents to be understanding towards their children’s needs for attention, whether they are autistic or not. Communication is the key to helping the entire family run smoothly.

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WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Mandu Usoro, US Army Veteran, Experienced Homeschooler, Parent Advocate and  is the founder of Homeschool Special Needs Tidbits, a website/weblog about homeschooling, public school education,  special needs children, personal bookstore, and articles about educating special needs children and the tools needed for success.

 

Siblings and Autism
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