BellaOnline Forums Family Siblings Any siblings of autistic brother/sister out there?

My 3-yr old son was just diagnosed as autistic. So many thoughts are going through my mind right now, and one of them is about his sister, who is 1 year older (she just turned 4). She has been a great model for behavior for him to imitate and to help him with his social skills and I hope she continues to love him and eventually help him as they grow older. Right now she has no idea he is "different" - she is too young. She just knows he can't talk. If you are a sibling of someone with autism, I would love to hear your story - how did it affect your life, and how do you relate to your sibling? Is it difficult to not get the same social feedback from your sibling that you get from friends or other people in your life that are not on the spectrum? Thanks for your feedback!

Hi Carolyn,

I was recently contacted by an organization that may be helpful to you. The Sibling Project was founded to provide peer support for siblings of kids with special needs. I'm sure you will be able to speak with siblings who will be happy to answer your questions and provide you with valuable insight.
Here's the link to my article on the subject.

The Sibling Support Project
The Sibling Support Project was founded on the belief that "disabilities, illness, and mental health issues affect the lives of all family members." Find out how the project can help families in your community.