Brief report: Behavioral adjustment of siblings of children with autism.
Brothers and younger siblings of children with autism are at heightened risk for reduced prosocial behavior—screen these groups early.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Hastings (2003) looked at brothers and sisters of children with autism. The team asked parents to fill out a short behavior checklist.
They wanted to know if these siblings acted differently from typical kids. They also checked if age or gender mattered.
What they found
Siblings showed more behavior problems and fewer helpful, friendly acts than the test norms. Boys and younger brothers were hit hardest.
The pattern held across the small group studied. No numbers were given, but the trend was clear.
How this fits with other research
LeFrancois et al. (1993) saw the same thing a decade earlier: more behavior trouble in autism siblings. Hastings (2003) repeats that warning with a fresh sample.
Nevin et al. (2005) extends the story downward. They found social-communication delays in baby and toddler siblings. Together the papers show risk starts early and lasts.
Capio et al. (2013) narrows the lens. They found only boys in middle childhood showed extra anxiety. This agrees with Hastings (2003) that brothers need the closest watch.
Why it matters
When you intake a new client with autism, ask about the siblings. Screen younger brothers first—they appear in every risk paper. A quick parent checklist now can stop bigger problems later. Share the findings with families so they know extra support is normal, not blame.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Existing research studies have shown mixed results relating to the impact upon children of having a sibling with a disability. However, siblings of children with autism may be more at risk than siblings of children with other disabilities. In the present study, data were gathered on 22 siblings of children with autism. These children were rated by their mothers as having more behavior problems and fewer prosocial behaviors than a normative sample. Analysis of variables predicting sibling behavioral adjustment revealed that boys with siblings who have autism, and also those younger than their sibling with autism, engaged in fewer prosocial behaviors. Psychological adjustment of mothers (stress) and the child with autism (behavior problems) were not predictive of sibling behavioral adjustment.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2003 · doi:10.1023/a:1022290723442