Happy National Siblings Day! Today, more kids than ever have a sibling with autism. I am so glad that my son Christopher, who has severe autism, has such amazing autism siblings to help him (and me) on this journey.
It hasn’t been an easy road. Their needs are often put on the backburner because of pressing autism needs. They’ve missed their favorite activities because they weren’t possible with autism. They’ve been woken up in the middle of the night by screaming. They’ve seen meltdowns and tantrums and me at the end of my rope. They’ve been pushed, hit, and had their hair pulled. They have had lots of experiences that wouldn’t make sense to their friends who don’t have autism in their lives.
This is how we dress to prepare for anything!
I hope that these experiences help them to be compassionate and to have empathy for others. I hope they have taught them to be champions for justice and support and acceptance. Yes, autism siblings may grow up making sacrifices and compromises. And they will have to be there for their siblings when we parents are no longer here. But they also understand the needs of the autism community in a very personal way. And they will have the power to change the world for those affected by autism.
But sometimes autism siblings get – and feel – overlooked. So, like last year and the year before, I’m giving a shout-out to all the awesome autism siblings out there. We parents may not say it enough, but we are so grateful for you and we love you so much!
And to MY children, Cieran and Cara, thank you for always loving and supporting your brother. Thank you for being not just his brother and sister, but his friends. He is (and I am!) so lucky to have you both!
Below are some more shout-outs from some of my favorite autism parents, to their amazing autism siblings (see more here and here)!
Happy Siblings Day!
Dear Sammy:
What a blessing you are to our whole family! Dad and I are so proud of you! You are the best little “big” brother! You protect your brother and include him in everything. You create games on his level so you can play together. You get the best giggles, smiles and verbal words out of him! You are and have always been his best teacher. Your love for Andrew is beautiful! And our love for you is as deep as the ocean, as wide as the sky!
–Maryanne Sholl, Havertown, Pennsylvania
Landyn and Lane:
Thank you for being such great siblings to your big brother, Gabe. He is so lucky to have you both. Landyn, since you were old enough to crawl you’ve brought Gabe out of his own little world and into yours. He is putty in your hands and does anything and everything you ask of him without hesitation (both good and bad things 
). I could not have imagined him ever loving someone the way he loves you and we love watching your special bond. I know that you will always be there for him, watching over him and mothering him. As you always say to me, “Mommy, Gabey is my BEST friend.” ️
–Jade, Mason, Ohio
To Kenny, Tommy, and Jack:
Thank you for being amazing brothers and helping Charlie reach his full potential.
–Janice, Grafton, North Dakota
To Kareena:
You have such a big heart and you are super patient. I know being an autism sibling isn’t easy and you have had to be the “older” sibling a lot of times when you are really younger than your brother. We credit YOU for getting Akshay to speak ’cause you just wouldn’t accept his silence as an answer. We know it hasn’t been easy spending your days in offices and waiting rooms. But now you are a strong advocate for people with special needs, and are always ready to help a classmate and someone in need who just needs a helping hand. We couldn’t be more proud of you!
–Simran, Orange County, California
To Daniel:
If there was an award for Best Big Brother, I’m pretty sure you’d win it every year. Having a sibling with special needs is certainly not for the faint of heart, yet you are always up for the challenge. Always encouraging Ben, always willing to “take one for the team,” and always supportive – no one could ask for a better teammate than you. Patience and empathy are attributes you chose to cultivate when it would have been much easier to sink into a pit of bitterness and resentment. I am so proud of the person you have chosen to be. Because of you, the world is a better place.
–Tara, Dallas, Texas
To Tatiana:
Even though you’ve never known your brother’s diagnosis, you’ve known from a very young age that Santi is different. You’ve been his cheerleader since you could talk. You get excited when he learns new things and reaches milestones. You are his role model and his hero. He loves you and has learned so much from. We didn’t teach you acceptance, empathy, and love – they come from within you. We are incredibly blessed to have such a vibrant yet humble little girl to call our daughter, and Santi to call his sister.
My autism journey has changed the way I live and care for my family. I am passionate about nontoxic products, natural remedies, grain-free nutrition, essential oils, and healing the symptoms known as autism. This is a space for anyone aspiring toward cleaner, healthier living.
XO Joanna
