To kjraabe:

I have grown up with an autistic cousin who has two younger brothers. As both a family member and an educator, I think its important to explain to the siblings what autism is early on because they need to know why certain behaviors may occur. It is also very effective to continuously explain autism again as your younger children may not fully understand the meaning of the word autism. It is important to teach your children skills that can help them learn how to play, etc. Showing them that Davis may not want to always play and sometimes it may seem like he's ignoring them, that he may stop playing after a short amount of time, or sometimes he may be very angry. These are behaviors that he may show and it is important to praise him when he's making good choices/good play and always give him eye contact as well before play. Its great that you are meeting the needs of each of your children and I think its important to keep that special time with each one. My cousins would spend one night a week doing something special with their dad or mom such as watching a movie, going to the park, etc. When they were younger, they learned that their sister had autism and that she wouldn't talk as much as some kids do and she may not be interested in playing, etc. Now they have grown up and are in highschool, they have coped with it very well. It may seem challenging at the beginning but siblings will handle the differences very well throughout the years.

Asperger’s syndrome is a form of mild autism that often goes undetected. New years 2008: my little brother Chris dropped dead - a moving testimony to a brother with asperger's syndrome, by zen peace. This is an enlightening new book that details a doctor's decline into depression, and highlights the signs of Asperger's Syndrome in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. A good primer.

Maybe you can help me...I am having such a hard time with my other children.  I have 4 boys~Mikey is 10, Jackson is 5, Davis is 4, and Brody is 2.  Davis has been diagnosed with Aspberger's and sensory processing disorder.  He sees a variety of doctors and therepists to the point where we have appointments 2-4 times a week, which takes our time.  Plus, we choose to parent each of our children in a way that works for them, and I think we do a good job meeting each childs' needs; however, it looks to the other children that Davis is "getting away with" bad behavior.  His next older brother is only 16 months older and there is a lot of competition there.  We have not given our other children a label for Davis's diagnosis, but maybe it's time?  How did you feel growing up with special needs in your house, and were you informed about them?  Do you have resentment about the attention your sister was given due to her diagnosis?  Can you help me help my children understand?

Hello to you and your lovely sister!   Nothing in the world better than sisters....except maybe brothers..he he.....I have two of both.    I am so glad to see you here.   You can be a valuable asset to the site.   thankyou for your post.   I have a beautiful  autistic 8 year old granddaughter with 2 brothers  ,Hyper active, but otherwise pretty typical.   Perhaps my oldest (almost 13) will have a question for you soon.

Hello!  Welcome to the blog.  There is a mom who posted on here recently for the first time who has twin girls, one on the spectrum and one not.  Maybe she'd have some questions for you!