Promoting well-being in siblings of the autistic using art therapy:

All sibling relationships are filled with mixed feelings that change over the course of the lifetime. However, being a sibling to an autistic individual may complicate the relationship. While there is no concrete evidence that shows either a positive or negative outcome in all sibling relationships, there is evidence that it is, at least, perceived differently by the neurotypical sibling. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often presents in childhood and is characterized by troubles with social engagement. The nature of the disorder often affects the kind of relationship siblings achieve as children and can lead to long-term caregiving responsibilities of the non-autistic sibling, in adulthood. Art therapy interventions have been shown to reduce negative feelings and increase a sense of well-being. This paper discusses the positive and negative aspects of having an autistic sibling and uses them to develop an art therapy-based curriculum that promotes well-being and resilience in siblings of the autistic. The interventions will help the siblings to process their complicated and mixed feelings as well as focus on the ways they are already thriving, leading to better long-term outcomes for the sibling and the entire family system.