Having a brother or a sister on the autism spectrum can affect a child in any number of ways. The special attention often required of children on the autism spectrum could cause the sibling to foster resentment towards their brother or sister.
On the other hand, children may become overly defensive of their loved one, protecting their special needs sibling from bullies and individuals who don’t understand the disorder. They may embrace their sibling’s diagnosis and work to assist them in their daily tasks.
Fortunately, there are ways to help shape this sibling relationship into one of love and support.
Educate Your Child
One of the most important things you can do to nurture the love between siblings affected by autism is to help your neuro-typical child to understand the disorder.
Before explaining the intricacies of the disorder, ask your child to divulge what they know about the disorder such as: What their brother’s or sister’s strengths and weaknesses are; why they require special attention; and how the disorder may cause his or her mental growth to be stunted through the years.
