As a counsellor and an adult SIB, I provide specialized supports to the siblings of neurodiverse children or adults.
The sibling relationship is likely to be the longest relationship of any persons life.
Sibling research used to be confined to birth order. Recently this research has shifted towards the experiences that siblings encounter and process during their childhood. Siblings are considered now to be an integral part of the family system
Siblings of children who are autistic or disabled may develop wonderful strengths correlated with their experience. Strengths such as compassion, patience and kindness have been identified in the research. However, typically developing siblings have also been identified to have an increased risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and post traumatic syndrome disorder (PTSD)
How do we support Siblings.
A strong relationship with a parent, self-regulation tools, and established safe spaces have all been proven to be effective when supporting siblings. Counseling, sibling support groups, and valuing the autonomy of siblings have also been indicated to be protective factors in the research.
Information for Parents
These websites can be helpful to research if you are looking for information on how to support and explain autism.
Autistic children and their siblings: Raising Children Network
5 Tips for Talking to Neurotypical Kids About Siblings with ASD
Information for Siblings
Family relationships – a guide for siblings of autistic people
References
Benderix Y., Sivberg B. (2007). Siblings’ experiences of having a brother or sister with autism and mental retardation: A case study of 14 siblings from five families. Journal of Paediatric Nursing, 22(5), 410–418.
Chan G. W. L., Goh E. C. L. (2014). ‘My parents told us that they will always treat my brother differently because he is autistic’ – are siblings of autistic children the forgotten ones? Journal of Social Work Practice, 28(2), 155–171.
Howe N, Recchia H, Kinsley C. Sibling Relations and Their Impact on Children’s Development. In: Tremblay RE, Boivin M, Peters RDeV, eds. Boivin M, topic ed. Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development [online]. https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/peer-relations/according-experts/sibling-relations-and-their-impact-childrens-development. Updated: March 2023. Accessed February 2, 2026.
Jones E. A., Fiani T., Stewart J. L., Neil N., McHugh S., Fienup D. M. (2020). Randomised controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism. Autism, 24(6), 1468–1481.
Watson L, Hanna P, Jones CJ. A systematic review of the experience of being a sibling of a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2021 Jul;26(3):734-749. doi: 10.1177/13591045211007921. Epub 2021 Apr 7. PMID: 33827284; PMCID: PMC8264626
Doireann O'Brien BCBA & RCC 