When you have multiple children, balancing your attention, support, and time can be incredibly challenging, especially when you have a child with autism and neurotypical siblings who are all competing for your attention! How can you reach a healthy family dynamic where all siblings feel valued, supported, and understood? Try implementing these helpful tips!
Evaluate Sibling Dynamics
Conduct an honest assessment of sibling dynamics, including the impact your role as a parent makes.
Some questions to consider are:
- How do your children interact?
- Do your children communicate openly?
- Do they encourage each other?
- Do they treat each other with mutual respect?
- Are there patterns of conflict, competition, jealousy, or resentment present?
Two ways to answer the above questions are:
- Observe sibling relationship dynamics by paying attention to the frequency and nature of their communication.
- Plan joint activities between siblings to see how children collaborate or engage in activities together.
By assessing these interactions, you’ll gain a better understanding of your children’s relationship and may implement changes to improve their relationship.
Consider How Your Parenting Style Impacts Your Children’s Relationship
How you engage with your children can directly influence sibling dynamics. Some things to consider when evaluating your role as a parent:
- Your expectations
- Communication style
- Attention devoted to each child
For example, always prioritizing your child with autism over a neurotypical sibling’s needs and requests may lead to feelings of resentment, jealousy, or other negative emotions.
After you’ve done an honest and introspective evaluation, the next tips are constructive ideas to achieve healthier sibling relationships.
Unify Your Family Unit
Distribute your attention and support evenly. The parent training that is part of our autism behavioral therapy in Philadelphia and our other clinic locations promotes unified family involvement. Some ways to achieve this are:
- Educate your children about autism to encourage empathy, compassion, and understanding for their siblings.
- Schedule individual activities and one-on-one time for each child.
- Lead by example and build a foundation of honest and direct communication habits.
- Encourage your children to express their needs, ask questions, and actively participate in family decision-making
Enrich Sibling Relationships With Mutually-Beneficial Interactions
Actively seek interactions where your children can support each other. Encourage your children to express their needs to each other, so they’re equipped to support each other’s ongoing growth. Below are some examples:
- Encourage your children to express emotional support, understanding, and unconditional love to each other.
- Let your neurotypical children help their siblings with autism practice communication and social skills.
- Enroll siblings in hobbies or activities together, especially when there is a shared interest.
Our autism services in Mount Laurel, NJ, and the surrounding areas mirror these uplifting ideas in every interaction. Our parent training can offer more practical tips to improve family dynamics while empowering your child with autism!
