The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This symposium reviews literature related to siblings of children with special needs, with emphasis on siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A model program, Club Sib, geared toward these siblings will be described. The Sibling program has included separate workshops for professionals, parents and siblings; sibling carnivals; Club Sib for elementary-aged siblings and Sib Saturdays for adolescent siblings. Group series are held for siblings and are co-lead by Psychology and Child Life staff. Outcome data will be discussed. The incidence of autism in the United States is 1:150. Many people with autism are likely to have typically-developing brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters are too important to ignore, if for only this reason: these brothers and sisters will be in the lives of the person with autism longer than anyone else. If they are provided with support and information, they can help not only the person with autism, their parents, but also themselves. Siblings are likely to share many of the concerns that their parents have, including isolation, a need for information, guilt, concerns about the future, and care giving demands. Siblings also face issues that are uniquely theirs including resentment, peer issues, embarrassment, and pressure to achieve.
Parents often struggle to cope with their own emotions, practical and financial issues and may have little time availability for their typically developing children. The typically developing sibling may try to protect the parents by hiding their own feelings about the brother or sister with autism. Published literature also suggests that siblings may spend a large portion of their lives without connecting with another person who is also a sibling of someone with special needs. Thus, their sense of isolation may be very strong. While siblings may develop positive characteristics, such as increased empathy, they are at risk for maladaptive coping patterns such as becoming “parentified” children, rejection of the sibling with autism, or withdrawal.
The sibling program at Children’s Specialized Hospital was developed to help meet the needs of siblings of kids with special needs, including those with autism. In addition to many workshops designed to raise the awareness of professionals about the unique needs of siblings, other activities have been conducted geared to ward the parents and siblings themselves.  These have included sibling carnivals, parent and sibling workshops, and support/recreation groups for siblings.
Club Sib is a series of several sessions designed for elementary-aged siblings. Approximately 70% of the participants have been siblings of kids with autism. The remaining have been siblings of kids with various cognitive and/or neuromuscular disabilities. The groups are co-lead by a Child Life Specialist and a Child Psychotherapist.  The focus of the sessions is to celebrate the sibling, provide opportunities to share experiences and advice, find ways to communicate their needs to others (such as parents), and to have fun with each other in a relaxed, accepting environment. Indeed, siblings often describe Club Sib as the highlight of their week. Parents have noted that participation has led to increased sharing of feelings and acceptance of the brother or sister with autism. Parents also have described their own increased appreciation for the needs of the “typical” sibling. Formal outcome data will also be presented.
 Sib Saturdays have been conducted for adolescent siblings. Special challenges in providing services to this population will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: