A systematic review of the experience of being a sibling of a child with an autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Difficulties associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders can cause considerable impact on personal, familial, social, educational and occupational functioning. Living with a child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can therefore pose a challenge to family members, including typically developing siblings. However, it is only in recent years that the experience of typically developing siblings has become a focal point. A systematic review using keywords across six databases was undertaken to summarise qualitative studies that focused on the experience of being a sibling of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria and a thematic synthesis was completed. The synthesis found that having a sibling who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can impact typically developing sibling’s self-identity and personal development in a number of ways. Similarly, interactions with the sibling who has Autism Spectrum Disorders and with other individuals can evoke a myriad of experiences that can both benefit and challenge typically developing siblings. The ability of typically developing siblings to cope with adverse experiences needs to remain a focus. This synthesis concludes that further research is needed to identify which methods are the most effective in supporting typically developing siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

“I often have to explain to school staff what she needs”. School experiences of non-autistic siblings growing up with an autistic brother or sister

“…Mirroring suggestions made in recent reviews (Watson et al, 2021), and cited in the NICE (2013) guidelines, siblings of autistic children should have an assessment of their own needs and support should be given where necessary. Our findings suggest several implications for school psychologists in core functions of the educational psychologists' role including training, consultation, assessment, and whole school support.…”

Psychosocial Interventions and Support Groups for Siblings of Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review of Sibling Self-reported Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes

“…Reviews on outcome studies of siblings of individuals with heterogeneous disabilities including mixed groups of participants with chronic physical or psychiatric conditions as well as NDCs report both negative and positive effects of having a sibling with a disability (Knecht et al, 2015;Mandleco & Webb, 2015;Marquis et al, 2020;McKenzie Smith et al, 2018), while qualitative syntheses emphasise positive effects more prominently, finding that siblings may experience increased empathy, maturity, understanding, patience and love (Cridland et al, 2014;Lamsal & Ungar, 2021;Leedham et al, 2020;Lummer-Aikey & Goldstein, 2021;Watson et al, 2021). Previous sibling studies have identified a range of individual, family and structural level risk and resilience-promoting factors that may influence sibling wellbeing outcomes.…”

The Clinical Implications of the Academic Performance of the Siblings of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Even for unaffected siblings, living with children with ASD can be an experience influencing their later life beyond imagination [ 7 ]. Sibling relationships are important in people's lives and have unique implications for individual development and adjustment [ 8 ]. Siblings can influence one another directly and indirectly [ 8 ].…”

“…Sibling relationships are important in people's lives and have unique implications for individual development and adjustment [ 8 ]. Siblings can influence one another directly and indirectly [ 8 ]. Research shows that siblings of autistic children easily get angry, embarrassed, frustrated, and upset by the affected children [ 7 ].…”

“…Research shows that siblings of autistic children easily get angry, embarrassed, frustrated, and upset by the affected children [ 7 ]. In addition, they receive little attention from their parents, making the situation worse [ 8 ].…”