Autism Outreach for Schools

Vanessa's Blog - January: Tips for Parents to support Siblings

Talk about Autism from an early age

Be open and honest with your sibling child about their brother or sister’s Autism. There are a number of books available to help you explain we have collected a booklist here: www.freeoutreach.org.uk/Resources/Autism-Awareness/

For younger children it may help to look at resources like the Sesame Street story book; https://autism.sesamestreet.org/storybook/we-are-amazing/  

or Pablo from Cbeebies: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/pablo-talking-to-your-child-about-autism

Spend time with each sibling one to one

This can be difficult, with so many things to do for your child with autism but it is really important to show ensure your sibling child feels just as important to you and avoid any jealousy or resentment. Look for opportunities, such as time if they arrive home from school earlier, respite time, or using help from a family member. Activities could include helping your sibling child with homework or hearing them read, taking them shopping with you, asking about what they did today at school or a Post-it note with a little message for their lunch box. Sibs (a charity supporting siblings of young people with a disability) recommend making an activity jar…

 

Ten minute activity

Use an activity jar with young siblings. Help your sibling child write or draw fun activities on small pieces of paper. These need to be activities that last for only ten minutes and for you and a sibling to do together. Put them in a small jar with a lid. When you have a ten minute space, ask your sibling child to choose an activity from the jar and do it together.

From www.sibs.org.uk

 

 Teach siblings fun activities they can do with their brother or sister

Show your children how to play together for short amounts of time, with a simple game they can both access. If your autistic child is non-verbal or pre-verbal, show your sibling child how they can use their brother or sisters preferred method of communication e.g. PECS

Acknowledge the negative feelings as well as the positive ones

Listen to your sibling child’s feelings and acknowledge that it is ok to feel that way. Help them to name the feeling e.g. ‘Are you feeling angry, because your brother broke the game?’ and acknowledge the feeling e.g. ‘Yes I see. That must be really upsetting’ Try to avoid saying things like ‘That’s life’ that could make a sibling feels as through their view doesn’t matter. Make sure they have a way to express their feelings and in some cases a worry book or box may helpful. Be a good role model of emotions; tell a sibling child that you get angry too, but talk through how you cope with it appropriately. You can find more information about calming and relaxation activities here: https://freemantlesoutreach.org.uk/Resources/Social-and-Emotional/

It may help to protect a sibling child’s sense of wellbeing by keeping a scrap book to celebrate their achievements.

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