Siblings of children and young people with autism. An exploration of typical siblings' constructions, perceptions and coping responses

摘要: The inter-sibling relationships of children and young people with autism have generally been overlooked in the literature. Whilst research has increasingly focused on this topic, relatively little is known about constructions, perceptions coping responses typical siblings autism. A child family presents a unique challenge how impacts siblings. Typical are proposed to be at increased risk for adjustment difficulties, as result interactions between complex genetic environmental variables. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted twelve adolescent explore their responses. data was analysed using thematic analysis nine broad themes emerged: (1) knowledge understanding autism; (2) perceptions; (3) quality relationship; (4) impact brothers’ condition; (5) strategies; (6) others; (7) support; (8) future; (9) acceptance ambivalence. These developed into models findings present initial evidence which accounts some variability siblings’ Such factors important implications individual adjustment, relationships, intra-familial global functioning. may used inform future large scale designs, view developing comprehensive assessment support services Educational Psychologist (EP) will integral identifying who difficulties. EP also well placed develop interventions Therefore, direct relevance EP, those working families.