A systematic review of the experience of being a sibling of a child with an autism spectrum disorder. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watson, Lucy; Hanna, Paul; Jones, Christina J
• Is Part Of: Clinical child psychology and psychiatry. Volume 26:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 734
• Page End: 749
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: School-age children -- siblings -- autism spectrum disorder -- experience -- systematic review; Clinical child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.1177/13591045211007921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1045

Abstract

Difficulties associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders can cause considerable impact on personal, familial, social, educational and occupational functioning. Living with a child who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can therefore pose a challenge to family members, including typically developing siblings. However, it is only in recent years that the experience of typically developing siblings has become a focal point. A systematic review using keywords across six databases was undertaken to summarise qualitative studies that focused on the experience of being a sibling of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria and a thematic synthesis was completed. The synthesis found that having a sibling who has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can impact typically developing sibling's self-identity and personal development in a number of ways. Similarly, interactions with the sibling who has Autism Spectrum Disorders and with other individuals can evoke a myriad of experiences that can both benefit and challenge typically developing siblings. The ability of typically developing siblings to cope with adverse experiences needs to remain a focus. This synthesis concludes that further research is needed to identify which methods are the most effective in supporting typically developing siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.