Kate Fiske, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA and Amanda Austin, PsyD, BCBA, LBA
North Star Family Autism Center

Sibling resources for families and educators in the autism community

Photographed by Olha Ruskykh (pexels.coms):

The sibling relationship is often one of the longest and most influential connections in a person’s life. Siblings serve as companions, role models, and sources of emotional support throughout an individual’s lifespan. When one sibling is diagnosed with autism, this relationship can be marked by unique challenges that shape sibling development. Understanding and support are essential to maximizing the well-being of the siblings and the family system.

Adults who recall growing up with an autistic sibling often describe positive perspectives and negative experiences. Notably, participants recall difficulties coping with the challenges and emotions they experienced in childhood (Moss et al., 2019). Research indicates that support can be beneficial for siblings, and this support can take on multiple forms. For example, a strong support system can increase siblings’ positive perceptions of their brother or sister (Jones et al., 2019). Similarly, sibling mental health risks such as depression can be reduced if they have a greater knowledge base about autism (Jones et al., 2019). Finally, a randomized-controlled trial demonstrated that comprehensive sibling support offered in a group format improved measures of sibling mental health (Jones et al., 2020).

Despite knowing the benefits of support, parents, caregivers, and educators may be unsure of how siblings are impacted by their brother or sister’s diagnosis, and how best to support their well-being and their relationship with their sibling. Below you will find resources available to help parents and providers educate themselves about the sibling experience and identify concrete, tangible approaches for supporting these important members of the family.

How Autism Impacts a Sibling

    • How Autism Shapes Sibling Relationships | The Transmitter
      This 2020 article profiles several sibling relationships to highlight the complex emotions that arise when one sibling has autism. While acknowledging the impact that having a sibling with autism can have on siblings’ roles in the family and their mental health, this article also focuses on the feelings of loyalty and empathy siblings feel toward their brother or sister. The article points to the need for supporting families, mentioning Sibshops as a potential resource for siblings.
    • Growing up Alongside a Sibling With a Disability | New York Times
      The author of this 2020 article, Keren Landman, has an autistic sibling and carefully explores the various roles that neurotypical siblings might fill in their family. For example, she notes the possibility of “parentification” as they often take on caretaking responsibilities for their brother or sister with autism in childhood. The author recommends parenting strategies such as providing age-appropriate explanations of autism and expectations for neurotypical siblings, finding time for connection with them, and being open to the difficult emotions that they might sometimes express.
    • Sibling Relationships | Adult Autism Health Resources
      The focus of this 2024 article is on the development of the sibling relationship across the lifespan. Uniquely, the article focuses not only on the experiences of the neurotypical sibling but also on the experiences and emotions of the autistic sibling as they may watch their brother or sister grow more independent over time. The article emphasizes the importance of frequent conversations with all siblings to discuss upcoming transitions and the impact they will have on the family’s routines and interactions. This article briefly highlights considerations for adult siblings as they potentially assume support and care for their autistic brother or sister.
    • Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families | Harris & Glasberg
      Based on their research, Dr. Sandra Harris and Dr. Beth Glasberg’s 2012 book (2nd edition) provides a summary of the evolution of siblings’ understanding of autism through childhood. Though this text was published over 20 years ago, the perspectives shared are still commonly observed with siblings and can provide a framework for how parents and professionals can consider a child’s developmental understanding when communicating with them about the ways in which autism impacts the family. Harris and Glasberg offer important strategies for teaching communication and play skills to siblings that will help facilitate a relationship with their autistic brother or sister over time.
    • The Impact of Autism on Siblings | Ferraioli and Harris
      Drawing on the research from the book above, as well as additional sources, this 2009 article by Dr. Suzannah Ferraioli and Dr. Sandra Harris provides a developmental perspective for the progression of sibling understanding of autism over time. The authors offer a summary of sibling perceptions of autism at different developmental stages that will equip parents and providers with a clear grasp of the strengths and limitations of sibling understanding at each age.

Parent Guides for Supporting Siblings

    • Sibling resources for families and educators in the autism community

      Photographed by Kindel Media (pexels.com)

      What Siblings Would Like Parents and Service Providers to Know | Sibling Support Project
      Drawing from an online discussion of adult siblings, this 2019 resource lists 20 recommendations for how parents and providers can support the neurotypical sibling. Notably, the resource shares tips such as allowing the sibling to exhibit typical behavior–like those common in sibling conflict in any family–during childhood. The resource places specific emphasis on conversations that allow siblings to feel included, seen, and celebrated as the family works together to support the autistic sibling. A final theme focuses on ensuring autonomy for siblings, inviting them to discussions about care but allowing them the opportunity to make decisions about their life and their involvement with their brother or sister.

    • Sibling Support | Organization for Autism Research
      Of primary interest here, OAR offers Brothers, Sisters, and Autism: A Parent’s Guide, a comprehensive guide published in 2014 for parents that provides information about important topics such as explaining autism to siblings, managing challenging emotions, and supporting siblings in the home and community environment. In addition to clearly describing such common sibling reactions to family life, such as jealousy and embarrassment, the guide provides actionable steps for parents to address concerns as well as additional resources for parents and siblings to consult for support. OAR also offers two workbooks for children and teens who have an autistic sibling, which parents and providers could use to facilitate conversation and understanding about autism. These are described more extensively in the companion article by Hui and Hina (2025).
    • How to Let Young Siblings Know You Care | Sibling Support Project
      Hearing directly from siblings can be an incredibly powerful way of learning about their experiences. This slideshow, compiled from snippets of advice given by siblings, is a wonderful resource for parents and professionals who want to identify small ways to support a sibling. From finding small moments of the day to connect with siblings to asking them about their own interests, a reader can easily identify a meaningful way to support a sibling in their life.
    • How to Manage the Impact of Child With Autism on Siblings | Association for Science in Autism Treatment
      In response to a parent’s concern about how best to address the impact of an autism diagnosis on the family with siblings, Dr. Mary Jane Weiss and Dr. Nicole Pearson list several ways to support siblings in the home in this 2016 article. Suggestions include ensuring a strong understanding of autism by utilizing resources such as Autism Speaks’ Sibling Guide to Autism or Organization for Autism Research’s Kit for Kids, teaching skills to strengthen the relationship between siblings, identifying time for parents to connect meaningfully with the sibling, and identifying other forms of support, such as Sibshops and online resources such as SibTeen for teens and SibNet for adults.
    • Simple Ways You Can Help Strengthen the ASD Sibling Relationship | Autism Parenting Magazine
      Aimed at parents, this 2025 article provides short summaries of ways in which they can foster the sibling’s understanding of autism and strengthen relationships between family members at home. The author, Liz Burton, emphasizes noticing and celebrating sibling strengths as well as providing attention and affection throughout the day. A response letter from the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) praises the author’s recommendations and highlights the importance of teaching communication and social skills to the autistic sibling, which will strengthen the relationship between siblings at home.
    • Sibling Perspectives: Guidelines for Parents | Autism Society
      This 2019 resource can serve as a simple handout for parents that offers tips for supporting siblings at home. The author, Marci Wheeler, emphasizes fostering sibling autonomy, individuality, and connection within the family. Specifically, she highlights the importance of allowing siblings the opportunity to experience difficult feelings, engage in activities that provide respite from daily life, and connect with others who have similar experiences.
    • Autism and Sibling Relationships: A Parent’s Guide | New Story Schools
      When supporting siblings, we must consider the skills we can teach that will help foster relationships and coping in the home. In addition to offering many of the recommendations in other guides, this 2024 blog post, written by Michelle Brown, highlights the importance of teaching communication and social skills to all siblings to foster their relationship with one another. This post also notes the benefit of teaching siblings about autism and having them practice explaining autism to others to help them prepare for interactions with peers and others in the community.

Provider Guides for Supporting Siblings

Note: Many of the guides included in the Parent section will also be applicable to providers.

    • Sibling Support Project
      Professionals may wonder how they can learn more about providing systematic support for siblings of autistic individuals. The Sibling Support Project provides resources to families and professionals that guide them in locating sibling support groups throughout the country, finding training to facilitate their own groups, and identifying resources that can support the development of a support program.
    • Autism and the Family: Understanding and Supporting Parents and Siblings | Fiske
      Written in 2017 for professionals providing support to autistic individuals and their families, Dr. Kate Fiske’s book draws from research in the field and interviews with siblings to summarize the impact of autism across the sibling’s lifespan. The author provides professionals with concrete, actionable steps they can take to include siblings in treatment, facilitate communication between siblings and parents, support sibling relationships with peers, and prepare siblings for adulthood.
    • Benefits of Including Siblings in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders | Ferraioli, Hansford, & Harris
      If you would like to refer to the research for the rationale and approaches to including siblings in the treatment for their brother or sister, Dr. Suzannah Ferraioli and colleagues offer a comprehensive summary in this 2012 article. The authors first review the body of research on sibling involvement and then illustrate specific approaches using case examples, such as involving siblings in increasing joint attention with their brother or sister or teaching the sibling skills that improve the quality of play interactions. Providers can use this resource to identify specific steps for including siblings in behavioral treatment.

Supporting Adult Siblings

    • Neurotypical Adults and Their Autistic Sibling | Psychology Today
      As siblings age into adulthood, parents may struggle with how to foster a relationship between them. This 2024 article first normalizes the sometimes-limited interactions between adult siblings, pointing to the need some siblings may have to separate from their family and the unique and sometimes difficult experiences of their youth. The author, Susan Senator, is a parent to an autistic child. She offers small steps parents can take to involve siblings in the care and support of their autistic brother or sister, such as providing a “cheat sheet” of support needs or including the sibling in conversations or meetings about the future.
    • Adult Sibling Support | Autism Spectrum News
      This 2020 article by Amy Halm highlights the longevity of the sibling relationship and the myriad care responsibilities that adult siblings may have for their parents, their sibling, and their own children. The author recommends that parents have frequent and ongoing conversations with siblings about the future and offers resources for future planning, such as a tip sheet and planning tool from The Arc. Acknowledging the power of peer support for adult siblings, the author also provides information about online communities, like The Sibling Support Project or the Facebook group Sib20 for young adults.
    • Clinical Corner: How to Help Older Autistic Adults at Home? | Association for Science in Autism Treatment
      This 2025 article by Lara Redcay, Amanda Duffy, and Kristina Gasiewski was written as a response to a sibling’s question about how to support her autistic sister and parents in adulthood. Though the article speaks to siblings, parents will find this article informative when considering how to involve siblings as they age. Recommendations include having conversations about possible future living arrangements, explaining legal information, and addressing sibling feelings of guilt. The authors outline important terms such as guardianship and power of attorney, and they provide an overview of the professionals who may be on an autistic individual’s team and can support the sibling’s caretaking efforts.

Video/Audio Workshops on Supporting Siblings

    • Siblings: From Infancy to Adulthood | SPARK for Autism
      This 2022 webinar provides a summary of the research on sibling adjustment from infancy through adulthood. Dr. Alycia Halladay and Samantha Els provide a summary of the important elements of sibling support and consider cultural implications when providing support.
    • Parenting Siblings of Children with Autism | Alpine Learning Group Foundation
      To help parents and professionals provide support to siblings effectively, Dr. Kate Fiske’s 2021 webinar draws from research on siblings’ experiences, sibling interviews, and clinical experience to offer specific steps parents can take to connect, communicate, and collaborate with siblings as they age and navigate their relationship with their brother or sister.

A Few Takeaways

    • Siblings’ understanding of autism changes as they grow older. Provide information that is appropriate to their developmental level.
    • Teaching a sibling about autism and how it affects their brother or sister is an essential part of supporting the sibling in navigating their role in the family.
    • Invite siblings to participate in conversations about their autistic brother or sister’s care but allow autonomy regarding their involvement.
    • Find small ways to connect meaningfully with siblings, whether that is finding moments of the day to provide attention, setting aside time to spend together, or talking about their interests.
    • Experiencing difficult emotions, such as embarrassment, resentment, and guilt, is normal for siblings. It is important to allow siblings to feel these emotions and to identify ways to validate their experiences and problem-solve challenges.
    • It is normal for interactions between siblings during adulthood to decrease. If siblings want to be involved in the care of their siblings, providing tools for future planning and involving them in ongoing conversations about the future are necessary as siblings transition into caretaking roles.

References

Hui, C., & Hina, Z. (2025). Supporting you every step of the way: Resources for siblings of autistic individuals across the lifespan. Science in Autism Treatment, 22(11).

Jones, E. A., Fiani, T., Stewart, J. L., Sheikh, R., Neil, N., & Fienup, D. M. (2019). When one sibling has autism: Adjustment and sibling relationship. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28(5), 1272-1282.

Jones, E. A., Fiani, T., Stewart, J. L., Neil, N., McHugh, S., & Fienup, D. M. (2020). Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism. Autism, 24(6), 1468-1481.

Moss, P., Eirinaki, V., Savage, S., & Howlin, P. (2019). Growing older with autism–The experiences of adult siblings of individuals with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 63, 42-51.

Reference for this Article:

Fiske, K., & Austin, A. (2025). Supporting, celebrating, and empowering Siblings: A resource collection for families and educators in the autism community. Science in Autism Treatment, 22(11).

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