The Family Enrichment Weekend provides support to the nondisabled brothers and sisters of children with autism using Kidpower, a program created by Dr. Sally Burton Hoyle. A family member with autism can impact siblings in many ways. In a study by Kaminsky and Dewey (2002)1, found that the frequency with which children with autism may engage in behaviors which appear aggressive, impulsive, or obsessive can disrupt family life. The difficulties with the child’s communication, and the anxiety surrounding public contact and family outings, may present further challenges not only to the parents but to the siblings of a child with autism. Powell and Ogle (1985)2, have shown that the presence of a child with special needs may frequently involve siblings in direct care-giving activities and devoting time to supervising or entertaining their brother or sister. Finally, family expectations are often excessively high for typically developing children, which can result in stress for the nondisabled child as they are frequently cast wittingly or unwittingly in the role of parent-surrogate (Miller, 2001)3. The Family Enrichment Weekend provides support to siblings. The expectation is that siblings will have the opportunity to enjoy themselves and be with a group of people who understand and enjoy their sibling with autism. There are no expectations that the sibling will be the care-giver for their sibling at the event, but there is respect and recognition that this is a role they often have within the family. Siblings participate in a Kidpower session where they meet other siblings and begin a social network that will benefit them as children and into adulthood. Each child has a college student as a companion for the Weekend. Even the brothers and sisters get to have someone who cares solely about their needs! This attention provides support and care for the siblings, who are often called upon to help care for the child with autism.
References:
1Kaminsky L. A., & Dewey, D. (2002). Psychosocial adjustment in siblings of children with autism. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 43, 225-232.
2 Powell T. and Ogle P. 1985 Brothers and Sisters : A Special Part of Exceptional Families. Baltimore: Brookes
3 Miller P. 2001 A study into the experiences of children who have a brother or sister with autistic spectrum disorder. Good Autism Practice 2(2)13-27.
