Risk and Protective Factors Affecting the Adjustment of Siblings of Children with Chronic Disabilities

Siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders across the life course

“…These studies agree that siblings describe the relationship with the brother or sister with autism in positive terms, although some negative aspects are noted, such as embarrassment or and disruptive behavior by the brother or sister with an ASD. Several studies show the similarity between sibling relationships when a sibling has an ASD when compared with a DD other than an ASD in terms of qualitative descriptions of the sibling relationship by siblings [Fisman et al, 1996[Fisman et al, , 2000Pilowsky et al, 2004]. Roeyers and Mycke [1995] found no differences between siblings ages 8 and 14 of children with autism when compared with siblings of children with DD, but siblings of children with autism reported more acceptance and less verbal aggression compared with siblings of TD children.…”

“…Similarly, Verte et al [2003] reported that siblings ages 6-16 of high functioning children with autism had significantly more internalizing and externalizing behavior problems than siblings of TD children. Fisman et al [1996] reported that siblings ages 8-16 of children with PDD had more internalizing behavior problems according to both parent and teacher report on the CBCL than siblings of children with DS or no disability. Externalizing behavior problems were elevated only according to parent report.…”

Comparison Groups in Autism Family Research: Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Schizophrenia

“…Studies that have compared both mothers and fathers of children with autism to parents of children with other diagnoses suggest that mothers are affected more negatively than fathers and that families of children with autism experience more problems than families of children with other diagnosed conditions (Dumas, Wolf, Fisman, & Culligan, 1991;Rodrigue, Morgan, & Geffken, 1990, 1992Wolf, Noh, Fisman, & Speechley, 1989). The comparative focus has also been extended to siblings of children with autism, who have been found to have higher levels of both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and lower rates of social interaction with their brother or sister with autism than other groups (Fisman et al, 1996;Knott, Lewis, & Williams, 1995;Rodrigue, Geffken, & Morgan, 1993).…”

“…In practice, however, family sociodemographic characteristics are less frequently controlled than child characteristics in comparative autism family research. Exceptions include socioeconomic status and race (Bagenholm & Gillberg, 1991;Bristol, Gallagher, & Schopler, 1988;Fisman et al, 1996;Kasari & Sigman, 1997;Rodrigue et al, 1990Rodrigue et al, , 1992Rodrigue et al, , 1993. Recently, Blacher (2003) reported that Latina mothers of individuals with autism did not differ in their level of stress from Latina mothers whose child had other types of developmental disabilities, which contrasted with the characteristic pattern of elevated stress in mothers of individuals with autism that was evident in their Anglo and African American samples.…”

“…The assumption here is that there are various dynamics within the family that typically vary with age-related changes in, and societal expectations for, the child with autism. Child gender is often a matching variable (e.g., Dissanayke & Crossley, 1996;Dumas et al, 1991;Fisman et al, 1989Fisman et al, , 1996Kasari & Sigman, 1997;Rodrigue et al, 1990Rodrigue et al, , 1992Wolf et al, 1989). This is sensible in light of well-documented differences in parental behavior and expectations tied to child gender (Leaper, 2002).…”