SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN WITH ASD

SOCIAL EXPERIENCES AND COPING STRATEGIES

How are the social experiences of typically developing

children affected by having a sibling with autism
spectrum disorder?

What coping strategies are used as a result?

I have to remember that its just a miscommunication. I try to

take things as they come.
Siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have positive and negative social
experiences in their homes and in the community when accompanied by their brothers
with ASD.

Positive: Siblings reported having fun with and being proud of their brothers. Time was
spent playing outside, watching TV, and participating in day-to-day family activities. Most
positive experiences occurred inside participants homes.
Negative: Siblings reported feeling annoyed, embarrassed, and frustrated in social
situations with their brothers with ASD. Children with autism spectrum disorder often
display odd behavior that can be difficult for siblings to be around or explain to others.
Peer relationships were a main concern for siblings.
Coping Strategies: Siblings felt more positive and accepting towards their brothers with
ASD when inside their homes. This may have been due to a greater number of coping
strategies used. Participants in this study ignored their siblings, removed themselves from
the situation, talked to a family member, or thought of something happy. These coping
strategies are self-regulated and rated as being useful. In the community, participants
frequently tried to regulate the behaviors of their brothers. This was rated as being as
only sometimes effective.

Amy Zimmermann

Discussion: Siblings of children with ASD have both positive and negative social
experiences. More positive experiences may be related to self-regulated coping strategies
or having a number of strategies to choose from.

Amy Zimmermann