The adolescent and the sibling with autism: A family systems perspective

• Main Authors: Ibarle, Maria Anne Therese F., Miraflor, Jillian Jazl P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Subjects: Autistic children > Family relationships; Parents of autistic children; Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10693
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper studies the different stresses brought about by having a sibling with autism on three aspects of adolescents life, namely: physical, relational and psychological, and how the adolescent adapts to these stresses. 7 adolescents ranging from age 17 to 19 who have at least one sibling who is diagnosed with autism were interviewed. Results showed 5 stresses and 18 means of adaptation that adolescents who have a sibling with autism face. Literature holds true that the family indeed plays an important role in helping the adolescent cope with the stresses that are brought about by their siblings condition.