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Information for siblings


 

Having a person with autism (including Asperger syndrome) in your family can have an impact on everyone, not just parents. 

Younger people who have a sibling with autism might experience teasing from other children, lack of privacy, disruption of home life and a feeling of resentment that the whole focus of the family is always on the person with autism.

Older siblings may worry about whether they are going to have to look after their brother or sister after their parents have died.

However, being a sibling of a person with autism is not necessarily all bad. Research has suggested that, although it can be a stressful experience at times, it does not in the long run necessarily have a negative effect. Many brothers and sisters say that learning to see the world through the eyes of their sibling has taught them to become more tolerant of people's differences.

In this section you can find out a bit more about autism and some of the help available to brothers and sisters.


 

My brother or sister is different
Practical information for brothers and sisters of people with autism, including some facts about autism and things that you can do to help your brother or sister.

Information for younger brothers and sisters
Find out more about autism and Asperger syndrome and some of the difficulties that a brother or sister may have.

Support for siblings of people with autism
Support networks for siblings of people with autism (including Asperger syndrome).

Asperger syndrome: broaching the subject
You may believe that someone you know has undiagnosed Asperger syndrome. How do you broach the subject with them?

Autism Helpline
If you'd like to speak to someone about autism or Asperger syndrome, or any concerns and worries you may have relating to your brother's or sister's condition, you can call our Autism Helpline.

Real life stories from siblings
Personal accounts about growing up with a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder.

Useful reading
Helpful and enjoyable books for brothers and sisters of people with autism of all ages.

Useful websites for siblings of people with an ASD
Links to websites of relevance to brothers and sisters of people with an autism spectrum disorder.

 


Siblings


Related resources


Relevant areas/articles elsewhere on this website