Siblings of the child with autism spectrum disorder need to be recognised as having certain rights.

These include :

· the right to understand as completely as possible at their developmental level what their bothers/sisters problem is and what it means (what they dont know can hurt them).

· The right to retain their proper place in the family in terms of parental love and attention and all interpersonal relations.

· The right to expect their appropriate share of family resources (including the right to earn money).

· The right, particularly as they grow into adolescence, of access to time unencumbered by obligation to the sibling with autism spectrum disorder.

· The right to be free of guilt in relation to all of these.

· The right to express, at appropriate times, resentment and anger.

· The right to refuse to play the role of the parent.

· The right to plan for and live a life of ones own, including the right not to have to take care of the sibling with autism spectrum disorder in old age.



Sibling Needs (Lobato 1990)

Each sibling of a child with autism spectrum disorder is unique. However, many of them share similar needs and concerns.

While these needs and concerns change with age and circumstance, most siblings agree that they needed the following during their childhoods :

· Information on the childs condition, including how it is evaluated and treated.

· Open communication within the family about the problem and family members positive and negative experiences with autism spectrum disorder.

· Recognition by parents of the siblings own strengths and accomplishments.

· Need for "quality time" with their parents on an individual basis.

· Contact and support from other siblings and families.

· Ways to cope with stressful events such as peer and public reaction, unexpected disruptions to family plans and extra home responsibility.

For further information, two excellent resources written by
Julie Davies for siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder are :

Able Autistic Children-Children with Aspergers Syndrome

Children with Autism