Experiences of Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder over the Life Course

Abstract

A sibling bond is one of the longest and strongest relationships that can be made in an individual’s life which starts during the early stages. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their transition to adulthood and the kind of support needed for them from the perspectives of the siblings to enhance their experiences. A collective case study was employed to address the research questions of this study, using semi-structured interviews with 5 siblings of individuals with ASD aged 24 to 29 years old. Findings were analysed through thematic analysis, where themes were derived and discussed about sibling experiences, choices and support.