Autism Soccer: Siblings and Autism: How to Interact with the Whole Autism Spectrum

You, as a brother or sister, need to be part of your sibling's life!

Ever since the extensive researches on autism began in the 20th century, the main focus for most clinicians was to look for a way to improve the quality of life of those who were born with it. Several awareness campaigns also rose up: Bringing the attention of people on autistic children. The knowledge we have today stands as a reliable and powerful tool to understand autism. With so many improvements the change can be felt, but what really matters, in the end, is how autistic children are raised and taught. Families are, in fact, the key to this puzzle.

Values, such as love, solidarity, moral and empathy, are pillars when raising children. Education is important too, of course. But without awareness and proper parenting to back it up, it won’t mean much really. Families are the children’s growth nucleus. Through solid bonds between siblings and the counseling of adults, children can develop the essential skills they’ll ever need in life.

For autistic children, it’s no different, even with their own challenges and particularities. What do autistic children need compared to neurotypicals? Time, more than anything. They don’t see the world differently as many people claim, they just see it with different eyes. What can you give your child as a parent to help them in their growth? You should be starting by changing your perception and that of the people around your kid.

Autistic children don’t feel different because of their condition: they feel different when people label them as such, even though they know they are not doing anything wrong. This attitude towards them is rooted on misconceptions around autism, mistakes that were put into people’s minds which managed to perdure. My point is that the moment you act differently towards autistic children they’ll show a tangible change in their lives.

Siblings are no different from the rest of the people, which is why you must educate them as well. Children need to be taught to treat and understand autistic children, in a way they don’t make them feel they’re being treated differently. You must explain them openly what it means to be autistic, so they can learn to treat them equally. This is not about denial or ignoring your children is autistic but acknowledge and empathize with what it really means to live with this condition.

A family that’s well educated about this will surely make their autistic children (or any children, for that matter) feel at home. Also, it would be wise to remember that if you decided to take this path, it’s neither a sacrifice or a challenge for you to bear. Playing the victim is not what your children need, they need to be understood and loved among all.

Your house and environment need to be ideal for your children to grow, but this doesn’t mean you’ll have them in limited and protected places out of fear. They need to see and experience the world as well. Autism Soccer provides the right environment for your children to learn and become an important piece of society (because they are). They deserve the best, and they will have it!