Helping Your “Neurotypical” Children Cope with a Sibling on the Autism Spectrum
Parenting a youngster with Asperger’s (AS) or High-Functioning Autism (HFA) places some unexpected burdens on moms and dads – as well as siblings. The time involved in meeting the needs of a family member on the autism spectrum may leave the parent with little time for the other kids. As a result, there may be consistent tension in the household. Many siblings of an AS or HFA child experience the following stressors: Angry that no one pays attention to them (in their opinion) Being the target of aggressive behaviors from the autistic child Concern over their role in care-taking Concern regarding their parents’ anxiety Embarrassment around peers Frustration over not being able to engage or get a response from their AS or HFA sibling Guilty for negative feelings they have toward their brother/sister Guilty for not having the same problems as their sibling Jealousy regarding the amount of time and attention their mom and dad spend with their sibling Not knowing how to han