Children of siblings with special needs have to grow up slightly differently from their peers, with them having to be more understanding and make more sacrifices. It is up to us as parents to show them the ropes.
Autism affects a relatively small percentage of our populace, but it is still significant. According to the Autism Research Centre (Singapore), there are approximately 200 new cases of children with autism every year. Creating a conducive environment to meet the complex needs of an individual with autism requires a collective effort from the family.
For these families, it becomes a constant balancing act of attending to the child’s individual needs while ensuring there’s enough time and attention for other children in the family. Another challenge for parents will be to help the siblings of these children with autism to embrace the situation. These “typically developing” children are forced to grow up faster and may be prone to feelings of isolation and jealousy, along with uncertainty, fear and embarrassment of their sibling with special needs.
The impact of stress and confusion on the brothers and sisters of children with autism is sometimes overlooked, with studies showing that siblings are able to make positive adjustments and, in some cases, even thrive. However, there are still specific demands and difficulties that parents have to help them cope with and understand. Here are some ways in which parents can foster better relationships between children with autism and their siblings and ensuring family harmony.
MAKE AUTISM BITE-SIZED
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