The Most Impactful Effects of Autism on Siblings

Siblings are often each other’s first teachers, models, and playmates. Whether they develop a deep friendship that lasts a lifetime or not, there’s no denying that siblings share a bond and a unique relationship.

For siblings of autistic children, there is often a more nuanced relationship. From increased empathy to sacrifices and frustrations, the effects of autism on siblings range, and are not always top of mind for us parents. It’s easy to spend so much of our focus on what to do (and NOT to do) with our autistic child that we forget that our neurotypical child may also have additional needs.

This is something I am especially attuned to with my neurotypical daughter (my son, Sean, is autistic and has sensorineural hearing loss), because I am that sibling, too.