This mixed method study examined maternal perceptions of their children’s sibling relationship when one child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and one is typically developing. Six mothers completed a questionnaire and semi-structured interview pertaining to their perceptions of the quality of the sibling relationship, the children’s development, adjustment, and impact on one another. Mothers spoke kindly of both children and offered positive and negative perceptions of the sibling relationship. Mothers perceived that sibling influence was bi-directional, in that both children affect the behaviors and interests of one another, regardless of diagnosis and birth order. Typically developing siblings were described as very involved and caring towards their sibling; however, siblings and parents seem to experience day-to-day challenges associated with family relationships and dynamics. Findings highlight the need for services to address the individual needs of parents and siblings in response to having a child with ASD.

这项混合方法研究调查了当一名儿童患有自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 且另一名儿童处于正常发育阶段时，母亲对其子女手足关系的看法。六位母亲完成了一份问卷调查和半结构式访谈，内容涉及她们对手足关系质量、孩子的发展、调整和相互影响的看法。母亲们亲切地谈论了两个孩子，并对兄弟姐妹关系提出了正面和负面的看法。母亲们认为兄弟姐妹的影响是双向的，因为无论诊断和出生顺序如何，两个孩子都会影响彼此的行为和兴趣。通常，发育中的兄弟姐妹被描述为非常关心他们的兄弟姐妹；然而，兄弟姐妹和父母似乎每天都在经历与家庭关系和动态相关的挑战。调查结果强调需要服务来满足父母和兄弟姐妹的个人需求，以应对患有 ASD 的孩子。