Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are known to have a deficit in social and emotional regulation skills; understanding others’ perspectives, emotions and conversational reciprocity are common struggles they face everyday. Such challenges limit their opportunities in interacting with peers, and hence family members play a crucial role in their life, acting as an available avenue for acquiring communication skills.
Ben-Itzchak et al. (2018), specifically mentioned that neurotypical siblings provide children with ASD ample opportunity to interact and develop emotional and social skills. Beyer (2009) also suggested that positive sibling relationships play a vital role in social development and self-worth, associated with lower levels of conduct disorders and loneliness in children.
Accepting and Understanding
As ASD poses as a complex disorder to comprehend, it is important for their siblings to stay informed and be open to behaviours that may seem unconventional or eccentric to them. Do not be afraid to ask questions!
Ask your parents or individuals who have a bigger cache of information to help you understand and think of ways to interact or approach your sibling. Trying to empathise and be patient with your sibling can get challenging at times. Hence, going to someone you trust about common feelings like frustration, resentment or sadness is equally important. Talking through your emotions and struggles can help relieve the negative emotions you may have towards things that your sibling may not be in control of and prevent relational friction. Even struggles you face in your interactions or attempts at playing with them can also be a topic of conversation.
Aiding through play
Peer play in early childhood is the primary context for developing social norms and effective language for communication (Lee & Parker, 2015). With siblings being the most readily available playmates, teaching a game they can play together is one way to improve their positive interactions, prosocial behaviours, and play abilities (Ben-Itzchak et al., 2018).
Start with simple games such as rolling a ball to each other or playing with items that they usually play with on their own. Once interactive play is familiar to them, you can gradually increase the complexity of play and maybe even engage in something more active.
But remember that this is a process and your sibling needs time to adjust so try not to rush into it! Play at a level of capacity that fits your sibling best and the rest will follow suit. You need them as much as they need you because that is what family means.
Written by: Tara
References
Ben-Itzchak, E., Nachshon, N., & Zachor, D. A. (2018). Having siblings is associated with better social functioning in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 47(5), 921–931. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0473-z
Beyer J. F. (2009). Autism spectrum disorders and sibling relationships: Research and strategies. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 44, 444-452.
Lee, A. and Parker, K. (2015). "Facilitating Play Amongst Siblings when One is Diagnosed with ASD: Guide". Occupational Therapy Capstones.123. https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/123
Picture Reference
Pixabay, [Siblings doing piggyback play] [Photograph]
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