In episode 17, Jess welcomes Kelleen and Kimmy, who are both older siblings of autistic adults. Kelleen is an SLP, and Kimmy is a BCBA, both at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. In today’s discussion, they share how their experiences with their autistic siblings shaped them as people, but also as compassionate practitioners and advocates in their fields. We look at the joys and challenges they experienced as older siblings and some of the issues that continue to arise as they navigate the present and future. And last, but not least, they offer parents some helpful advice for helping their neurotypical children understand and embrace autism. We hope you enjoy the episode!   

Resources –

Websites for Siblings: 

• Sesame Street (young children) – http://autism.sesamestreet.org/ 

• Rocking Mountain Sibs – https://www.rmsibs.com/ 

• A Sibling's Guide to Autism – https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/Siblings%20Guide%20to%20Autism.pdf 

• Siblings of Autism – https://siblingsofautism.org/ 

• Sibling Leadership Network – https://siblingleadership.org/ 

• Sibling Support Project – https://siblingsupport.org/ 

• The Organization for Autism Research has a number of sibling resources – https://researchautism.org/how-we-help/families/sibling-support/ 

• The Arc of New Jersey has several helpful resources for siblings of all ages –  https://www.thearcfamilyinstitute.org/resources/sibling-resources/young-sibs.html 

• Parent to Parent – https://www.p2pusa.org/ 

• The Sibling Transformation Project – https://www.siblingtransformation.org/ 

• Growing Up Alongside a Sibling with a Disability –https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/parenting/children-sibling-disability.html 

Books for Parents about Siblings: 

• Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families by Sandra Harris PhD & Beth Glasberg PhD 

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Sibling Support: 15 Practical Tips for Parents & Caregivers by Trish Thorpe 

Here are links to picture book lists featuring Autistic children.  

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/maistorybooklibrary/list/14VLE2C1F0T17 

• Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/autism-acceptance-picture-book-list  

Sibling books: 

• Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla 

• My Brother Otto by Meg Raby (preschool to early elementary) 

• My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete (elementary age) 

• Leah's Voice by Lori DeMonia (elementary age) 

• Tacos Anyone? By Marvie Ellis (elementary age) - Bilingual book 

• Brotherly Feelings: Me, My Emotions, and My Brother with Asperger's Syndrome by Sam Frender & Rob Schiffmiller (elementary age) 

• What About Me? A book by and for an Autism Sibling by Brennan & Mandy Farmer (elementary age) 

• Understanding Samantha: A Sibling's Perspective of Autism by Dustin Daniels (elementary age) 

• Everybody is Different by Fiona Bleach (elementary/middle school age) 

• Autism: The Invisible Cord by Barbara Cain (middle school) 

• Rules by Cynthia Lord (middle school) 

• The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida (middle school) 

• Same but Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express by Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, & RJ Peete (middle school/high school) 

• The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers & Sisters of Adults with Disabilities by Don Meyer & Emily Holl (high school/adults) 

Memoirs by Siblings: 

• Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir by Karl Greensfeld 

• How to be a Sister: A love story with a twist of autism by Eileen Garvin 

• The Ride Together: A Brother & Sister's Memoir of Autism in the Family by Paul & Judy Karasik 

• At Home in the Land of Oz: My Sister, Autism, and Me by Anne Barnhill 

• Crystal Puzzle: Growing Up with a Sister with Asperger's by Ashley Nance 

• How autism shapes sibling relationships By Emily Laber-Warren