Sibling Rivalry With An Autistic Child - How Autism Affects Siblings

Sibling rivalry is a normal healthy part of any familyliving. There may arise issues with jealousy if the sibling
group, the issue arise when you have a special needsdoes not understand why the parents attention and
child such as one with autism. We are given more thenassistance is needed so greatly by the autistic child.
ample information on helping our child with autism andAnother issue of stress for the non-affected child may
helping ourselves adjust to parenting them, but whatbe with their peers. Though they are not the ones who
about the siblings? What help is there for them? Whathave autism they may find themselves at the receiving
is there to teach them how to cope and understandend of ridicule and schoolyard teasing. This will often
why their brother or sister is different and why thecause even further resentment of the autistic child.
autistic child receives so much attention for things theThough sibling rivalry is a normal part of growing up, a
siblings may feel is improper behaviour. Parents needparent with a special needs child needs to take special
to take an active role in helping children to cope withcare with the siblings to ensure resentment and
having an autistic sibling.possibly hatred do not arise. Autism affects everyone
Siblings of the autistic child may feel left out or thatin the family, and every child or parent associated with
their parents love them less as a result of all theautism needs to be taught and helped to adjust to
attention needed to help the autistic child with dailyhaving an autistic loved one.