This page has been informed by the research and advocacy work of Siblings Australia.
Childhood comes with its ups and downs for all children. For children with a sibling with intellectual disability and/or autism, they face unique experiences that can be both positive and challenging.
Positive experiences include:
- Learning patience
- Learning to embrace diversity
- Feelings of loyalty and purpose in being a support person for their sibling
- Learning compassion and tolerance
Challenges may include:
- Feelings of guilt, resentment or worry
- Feeling isolated from their peers
- Feeling pressure to be perfect so that they don’t worry you
- Grief about things their sibling cannot do
- Feeling helpless
Children with a sibling with intellectual disability and/or autism can feel pressure to be perfect and may put the needs of others before their own. When children sideline their own needs and deny negative feelings it can lead to low self-esteem and a sense of helplessness. For this reason, for children with a sibling with intellectual disability and/or autism, receiving support to acknowledge and express their feelings is especially important.
You can help children feel good and build the skills they need to look after their mental health, both now and into adulthood, in simple ways during daily activities, and by seeking professional mental health support.
