How To Help Siblings Understand Autism

Interactive Comic for TweensTeens 10-14 yrs This comic touches upon the social aspect of living with a sibling with Autism providing siblings with a space to express their thoughts feelings and questions. Praise your child for sharing feelings and acknowledge that you understand where misconceptions about autism may have come from.

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The last thing you want to do is talk as if someone just passed away or let a shrunken expression suggest that autism is an affliction.

How to help siblings understand autism. Hear your child out before correcting errors. One thing adults can do to support typical children is to help them understand that an autistic siblings difficult behaviors are a function of brain wiring. Treat all of your children with respect and model respect for your autistic child.

When typically developing children understand autism it can improve relationships with autistic siblings. Resources for Parents and Siblings There are many great resources available to help parents talk to their children about autism. Siblings of children with autism may deal a variety of different feelings which if not addressed may turn into larger more serious issues.

See if he or she has a favorite game you. Allow your child to express their feelings. Finding an activity you can do with your brother or sister will allow you to have fun and enjoy being together.

Young Adult Resource 15-18 yrs. Talking to others who have autistic siblings may also help. Sometimes your siblings behaviors may make it seem like he or she is not interested or you may have difficulty getting his or her attention.

Experts recommend that older siblings chat with professionals about the diagnosis. Sometimes a child with autism takes so much effort that any siblings they have may at times be overlooked. A good starting point is to teach them the word autism and what it means.

Schedule a meeting with your schools special education needs coordinator. Depending on the age of your child there are a variety of resources to help children understand autism including books support groups movies etc. You will also read some great stories from autism siblings just like you.

There are some groups that your family can ask for support and who may be able to give you. The Organization for Autism Research OAR offers a resource for parents younger siblings and teenage siblings. Way that allows young children to easily understand and relate.

The good news is that young children can be taught simple skills that will enable them to engage their brother or sister in playful interactions. I like these tips for autism discussions from the Siblings of Children with Autism. To get close to a sibling with autism.

Autism Speaks offers a guide to help siblings understand more about autism and their sibling. A siblings attempts to engage with a child with autism may be discouraged by the childs refusal to interact lack of appropriate play skills or problem behaviors. Learning About the Diagnosis.

Most importantly discuss autism in a positive light. Try to make special time for all children find ways for siblings to have fun set fair family rules and responsibilities and manage negative feelings. Treat autism as a part of lifesomething to understand and respond to rather than something to avoid mentioning or thinking about.

You could ask a teacher or pastoral support worker if they can teach autism awareness in school. How You Can Help. If your typical child expresses his anger or frustration at your autistic child understand that is quite normal.

Start with a few one-on-one activities they will add up throughout the week. Teach your son or daughter about autism. Having a child with autism requires a lot of time patience and planning which can take a lot of effort.

Ask for a professionals insight on how your sibling acts and reacts. Support groups and health professionals can help siblings of autistic children. This guide is for siblings like you to understand a little bit more about autism and learn what you can do to help your brother or sister and take care of yourself.

How to Ask for Help. Stay neutral and try not to judge your childs answers. Thats unfair for the sibling.

Talk to them in terms heshe understandsUse euphemisms when needed. Teach all of your children about what autism is and what it isnt. Talking openly and honestly about autism in a way kids can understand can help their siblings to feel more at ease about their siblings behavior and can help them to feel more comfortable knowing what is going on.

Research has shown that siblings can learn basic teaching strategies to engage their brother or sister with autism. Or ask to talk with your siblings therapist. Sibling rivalry is quite common but when it comes to siblings of autistic children we often expect them not to show any negative feelings.

These skills include things like making sure they have their brothers attention giving simple instructions and praising good play. Around when I was 6 years old my mom explained everything about autism says Luciana Heresi an 11-year-old in Orange County California whose 13-year-old brother Santi has autism.

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