As a family, whenever there is a problem, you stick together. But sometimes when a sickness or disorder is diagnosed in a family member, all are affected. Sometimes, the parents tend to neglect that their other kids are also undergoing their own stresses that they experience in coping with the big changes that the family has undergone.
Some kids who feel that their parents always spend time with their autistic sibling tend to be jealous and “act out”. Acting out is similar to rebelling since the child does thing that he or she know that the parents disapprove of in order to get the attention he craves.
Fortunately, sometimes having an autistic sibling makes one “grow up” and be a responsible sibling who can and will take care of their autistic brother or sister.
To help your other kids cope with this new situation, you can find them asupport group where they can also meet and talk with other sibling of autistic children. this way they can better understand the family situations and feel less resentful with their brother or sister whom they feel has taken all the parental attention. the support group can help tehm vent out their frustrations regarding their family and help them accept.
You should also encourage regular family interaction where you all can spend time with each other. You should also open up to your other kids about your own feelings so they can feel that they are not alone and appreciate them also. you should also pay attention to your other kids because they are also having a difficult time adjusting. You should communicate with them to be able to help them cope better with having an autistic sibling.