Development of an Integrated Developmental Model for Adaptation with Autistic Children in Family System.

Amanollahi et al. (2025) ran a sibling support group that taught autism facts and coping skills.

They compared it to a general support group that did not focus on autism.

Families joined the group they wanted, then the team rated how close the brothers and sisters felt afterward.

Siblings who learned about autism liked their autistic brother or sister more than kids in the general group.

The autism group also reported warmer, less quarrelsome play at home.

Mulder et al. (2020) did an earlier RCT of the same kind of group and saw small mental-health gains. Zahra’s 2025 study keeps the autism focus but swaps the target: instead of mood, it tracks the bond itself.

LeFrancois et al. (1993) warned that untreated siblings show more worry and acting-out. That sounds like a clash, but the kids in Zahra’s study got help, so the risk never showed up. The papers agree: without support, siblings struggle; with it, they thrive.

Schmeer et al. (2021) interviewed siblings and heard the same story: knowledge and a safe place to talk guard against stress. Zahra’s numbers back up those voices.

You can lift the whole family by inviting brothers and sisters to a short, autism-smart club. One hour a week of games, facts, and shared tips can turn rivalry into warmth. Add a sibling group to your next treatment plan and watch the home vibe shift.