This page has been informed by the research and advocacy work of Siblings Australia.
It is important that children are provided with information about their sibling’s intellectual disability and/or autism. Understanding their sibling’s disability will:
- help children feel better about themselves and their sibling
- improve the sibling relationship
- help when children get questions and comments from others
Many children want to be involved in the life of their sibling with intellectual disability and/or autism. It is essential to recognise the help and support they provide and let them know it is appreciated. It is also essential to not overload children with responsibility. Helping children to feel appreciated and confident will help sustain positive sibling relationships, which can be one of the longest of our lifetimes.
You can build a child’s knowledge of their sibling’s disability and help them develop skills to build up their self-esteem. It’s a good idea to start age-appropriate conversations when children are young.
