There Is More Than One Child at Home: What Research Says About Mood and Daily Life for Typically Developing Siblings in Autism Families
Byline: Chau Sir / chausir.com
This article summarises public research with AI assistance.
1. What the study looked at
Cervellione, Iacolino, Bottari, Vona, Leuzzi and Presti from Kore University of Enna in Italy published an open-access systematic review in May 2025 in Psychiatry International. The work maps emotional, psychological, behavioural and social functioning of typically developing (neurotypical) siblings in autism families. Searching EBSCO, PubMed and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed empirical studies from 2013 to 2024, the team included 30 studies and synthesised them narratively. [1]
2. What the review found
The review found wide variation in sibling experience: some reported more empathy, resilience and caregiving capacity; others reported higher unease, emotional load, loneliness, and difficulty with peers. Sibling relationship quality, whether parents had emotional "bandwidth", and social support from school and community linked with better adjustment in several studies. Feeling labelled, having to explain a brother or sister's behaviour to classmates, or carrying too much caregiving linked with greater load. Birth order, gender and cultural expectations also shaped experience; some studies noted that later-born siblings who took on caregiving roles earlier sometimes reported a higher sense of load. The authors also note that most studies were cross-sectional, with high sample and method heterogeneity, so a meta-analysis of pooled effects was not done. The map reflects associations and experience rather than cause and effect, and it does not mean every sibling will face the same difficulty. These are descriptive associations from the current literature. They do not prove that any single factor will bring a particular result. [1]
3. Reading the findings with care
This is a narrative systematic review. It uses existing empirical studies to describe functioning and protective / risk factors for typically developing siblings in autism families. Most studies were cross-sectional with heterogeneous methods. Hong Kong-related work (Chan & Lai, 2016) can be a local reference, but overseas proportions cannot be applied directly. Do not assume that the other child must sacrifice, or that they will necessarily grow up especially mature. [1]
4. Small things Hong Kong parents can notice
Many Hong Kong homes have two or more children, and parents of a child with special needs often worry they may overlook the other child. This review is a reminder that sibling experience in the literature includes growth and empathy as well as loneliness and emotional load. Hong Kong-related work (Chan & Lai, 2016) notes that parents' quality of life and family functioning link with sibling adjustment, and that parent reports may not fully capture siblings' peer-relationship difficulties.
In everyday life, you could keep a short weekly slot only for the other child's own topics, without needing to talk about special needs. When telling a teacher that there is a sibling with special needs at home, also ask them to watch whether peers put the sibling in awkward questions. If the sibling volunteers to help with care, spell out what they can help with and what remains an adult responsibility, so they do not become a hidden parent. Chinese families often value sticking together and putting up with things, so siblings may not say they are finding it hard; open lines such as "have you felt you have to hold things up yourself lately" can help.
From a CRP (Communication, Relationship, Parenting) point of view, you can start with communication and relationship: adults and the sibling talk through what they can help with and what stays adult work, keep time and rhythm that belongs only to them, and do not demand every area change at once. The research is a reference only. Every family has its own pace, and there is no need to blame yourself or your child. If the sibling has long-standing poor sleep, withdrawal, or a clear drop in school performance, you can check with school counselling, a parent group, or a family support service.
Sources
1. Cervellione, B., Iacolino, C., Bottari, A., Vona, C., Leuzzi, M., & Presti, G. (2025). Functioning of neurotypical siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Psychiatry International, 6(2), 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6020052
Disclaimer
Educational information, not a diagnosis or medical advice.
Chau Sir's talks and articles are parent education. They do not provide diagnosis, assessment or treatment, and do not provide medical or medication advice. If needed, please consult a qualified professional.
Comments