This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm and is filed under Autism Awareness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Broaching the Topic with Siblings
, 09 02nd, 2009
In the past, we’ve explored the mental and emotional toll that an autism diagnosis can take on parents and the victims themselves. But this leaves out another group of individuals who also bear a considerable strain from dealing with the disorder indirectly. Siblings – especially when they’re young – require attention and education in order to fully cope with the realities of the situation.
Brothers and sisters of autistic children generally have two major difficulties in coping with their affected sibling: first, they feel jealousy as the parents are focusing more attention on the autism sufferer. Second, they might feel embarrassment when an autistic brother or sister comes in contact with their friends or peers. These reactions are natural, and it’s important for parents to discuss them frankly with their children.
Autism awareness is especially important as it relates directly to siblings. Parents should tailor the information they provide their kids according to age and maturity level. There’s no need to go into medical detail about the disorder if you’re addressing a 5-year-old, for example. Likewise, a preteen will need a thorough, detailed explanation. In the end, your family will be happier and better adjusted as a result of learning about autism, its symptoms and potential treatments.
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