Autism Soccer: Tips to Help Children to Live Together with Autistic Siblings

A good relationship between siblings when there's ASD is a crucial source of support at an emotional level.

The relationship between siblings is a natural and significant bond that can lead to becoming a lasting union. Also, this relationship is marked by its own characteristics, an important source of emotional support, and it even represents one of the first sources of social interaction for children.

The relationship between siblings when one of them is autistic has very unique and important characteristics.

How does the presence of a sibling with autism influence the sibling relationship?

Having a sibling with autism can mean different things for each child and in each family, but of course, it’s a neurodevelopmental disorder that’s difficult to explain to the little ones.

Responsibility and roles in the family nucleus vary depending on the needs of the child with autism, and sometimes, the siblings who don’t have the disorder can be influenced in their development and childhood if they don’t know how to handle the situation.

On the other hand, older siblings tend to take on the role of support for their parents and may feel doubly responsible, striving twice to get their little brother with autism to be well “cared for.”

Both older brother/sister and younger brother/sister, feel certain doubts and incomprehension about autism and the behaviors that it provides. They may feel unprotected and neglected by their parents, feeling suspicious of them.

The key to promoting a proper development in the relationship between siblings is to begin to build a good relationship between them. Parents play a crucial role in this process, as do professionals who treat the family as a whole.

Some recommendations

-Help them to understand that their sibling is different and that’s ok. It’s really a value that enriches the human being and provides opportunities for intense struggle and improvement.

-Give them a positive view of things and normalize them.

-Teaching the kids what autism is, will be especially useful. Thus, it will have the teaching and learning strategies used by parents and professionals. It’s essential to share with them therapies and guidelines that are offered to the whole family. Besides, you will reward both equally in everything you do together.

-Playing among siblings is essential, (remembering that you should reward both equally in everything you do together), doing activities where they share as siblings will be essential in the way to strengthen the bonds between the relationship of the siblings and their emotional connection.

-Attention to each one; that’s to be aware of them individually covering their needs, desires, dreams, and rights. The time reserved for the neurotypical child is exclusively his/hers and talking about what he/she needs/feels is always important.

-Equality of parents towards their children. The praises for one's achievements will also be reflected in the other; reinforcing and rewarding equally.

-Conduct and adaptation problems in the family of a child with autism can be a negative impact on the emotional and psychological adaptation of siblings without ASD. Sometimes, it’s the brothers who copy the behaviors of children with autism, to get their parents' attention.

-Preparing children psychologically to face society when they are presented with situations of mockery or incomprehension about their siblings, is very important. Sometimes teasing will make them feel bad and may cause social isolation. Hence, the importance of preparing them (between parents and professionals).

The union and relationship between siblings, regardless of their condition, must be strong and comprehensive. The support of parents and professionals is essential for the evolution and good development of the siblings.