Finding Support for Siblings of Children with Autism

Having a sibling with autism can pose challenges. It’s common to feel envious of the extra attention given to your autistic sibling or to find it hard to connect with them. However, there are support groups specifically designed for siblings of children with autism. These groups offer a safe and welcoming space to share experiences and build a community with others who understand your situation. This post will explore the advantages of autism sibling support groups, what to look for in a group, and resources to help you find local groups in your area.

Why Join an Autism Sibling Support Group?

Siblings of children with autism face unique challenges, including:

  • Feeling neglected when parents devote more attention to the needs of the autistic child
  • Struggling to communicate and connect with their sibling
  • Embarrassment or frustration over autistic behaviors in public
  • Taking on caregiver responsibilities for their sibling

An autistic sibling support group provides a judgment-free place where children can openly discuss their complex feelings with other siblings in similar circumstances. Groups are led by counselors trained in the needs of special needs families.

Benefits for siblings participating in support groups include:

  • Feeling cared for and understood by peers
  • Learning coping strategies from other siblings
  • Gaining the perspective that they are not alone in their struggles
  • Building self-esteem and confidence
  • Developing compassion for what siblings go through

Research shows that support groups help improve the quality of life and mental health of siblings of children with disabilities.

What to Look for in a Support Group

To find the right support group for your child’s needs, look for groups that:

  • Meet regularly, either in-person, online, or both
  • Are specifically for siblings of children with autism or other developmental disabilities
  • Are facilitated by counselors or therapists trained in sibling issues
  • Welcome participants in the recommended age range (often grouped by age)
  • Offer opportunities to share experiences and build relationships
  • Teach healthy coping strategies in a judgment-free setting

The group culture should be warm and welcoming, enabling siblings to feel understood and supported.

Finding Local Autism Sibling Support Groups

If you are interested in having your child join an autism sibling support group, here are some resources to find programs near you:

  • Local autism organizations – Contact autism service providers to inquire about sibling support offerings.
  • Your school district – Many districts have information on autism family resources, including sibling support groups.
  • Online support networks – Facebook groups like Sibnet provide online forums and list in-person groups by state.
  • National databases – The Sibling Support Project and Sibshops offer search tools for local sibling programs.

listing all 50 states and examples of autism sibling support groups available in each state:

StateAutism Sibling Support GroupsWebsiteContact
AlabamaAutism Society of Alabama Sibshopshttp://www.autism-alabama.org/sibshopsPhone: 334-270-4100
AlaskaHope Community Resources Sibshopshttps://hopealaska.org/disability-services/sibshops/Phone: 907-561-5335
ArizonaSouthwest Autism Research and Resource Center Sibshopshttps://autismcenter.org/programs-services/sibshopsPhone: 602-340-8717
ArkansasArkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center Sibshopshttp://www.autismar.org/services/sibshops/Phone: 870-651-4620
CaliforniaThe Sibling Support Projecthttps://www.siblingsupport.org/Phone: 206-297-6368
ColoradoFirefly Autism Sibling Support Grouphttps://fireflyautism.org/sibling-support-groupPhone: 720-446-4402
ConnecticutCT Autism Spectrum Resource Center Sibling Supporthttp://ct-asrc.org/sibling-support-groups/Phone: 860-314-6729
DelawareDelaware Autism Program Sibshophttps://www.delautism.org/delaware-autism-sibshopPhone: 302-224-6020
FloridaCenter for Autism & Related Disabilities Sibshopshttps://card.ufl.edu/clinical-services/sibshops/Phone: 352-273-0581
GeorgiaActive rain Autism Sibling Support Grouphttps://www.activerain.com/blogsview/24787/autism-sibling-support-groupPhone: 770-234-9111
HawaiiAutism Society of Hawaii Sibling Supporthttps://autismhawaii.org/resources/sibshops-support-for-siblings/Phone: 808-537-2844
IdahoIdaho Parents Unlimited Sibshopshttps://www.ipulidaho.org/sibshopsPhone: 208-342-5884
IllinoisAutism Society of Illinois Sibling Supporthttps://www.autismillinois.org/programs-services/siblings/Phone: 847-903-0600
IndianaIndiana Resource Center for Autism Sibshopshttps://www.irca.indiana.edu/irca-sibshopsPhone: 812-855-6508
IowaUniversity of Iowa Children’s Hospital Sibling Supporthttps://uihc.org/family-support-and-resources-siblings-children-disabilitiesPhone: 319-384-6898
KansasAutism Society of Northwest Kansas Sibshopshttp://www.autismnwkansas.org/sibshops.htmlPhone: 785-215-6655
KentuckydenAutism Sibling Support Grouphttps://denautism.org/sibling-support-group/Phone: 859-317-9400
LouisianaTulane Center for Autism and Related Disorders Sibling Supporthttps://tcard.tulane.edu/content/sibling-supportPhone: 504-988-5588
MaineMaine Parent Federation Sibshop Programhttps://www.mpf.org/sibling-support-groupPhone: 207-588-1933
MarylandPathfinders for Autism Sibshopshttps://pathfindersforautism.org/information-resources/sibshops/Phone: 443-330-5370
MassachusettsAsperger/Autism Network Sibling Supporthttps://www.aane.org/resources/family-and-friends/for-siblings/Phone: 617-393-3824
MichiganAutism Alliance of Michigan Sibling Supporthttp://www.autismallianceofmichigan.org/siblingsPhone: 517-882-2800
MinnesotaFraser Sibling Support Networkhttps://fraser.org/about-fraser/media-center/news/sibling-support-networkPhone: 612-861-1688
MississippiMississippi Autism Society Sibling Supporthttp://www.mssautism.org/sibshopsPhone: 601-605-2771
MissouriThompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Sibshopshttps://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/sibshopsPhone: 573-882-0757
MontanaMontana Autism Waiver Program Sibshopshttps://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/developmentaldisabilities/autismwaiverPhone: 406-444-2995
NebraskaAutism Family Network Sibling Supporthttps://www.autismfamilynetwork.org/programs/sibshopsPhone: 402-557-3195
NevadaAutism Coalition of Nevada Sibshopshttp://www.autismnevada.org/sibshops.htmlPhone: 702-748-5363
New HampshireChild and Family Services Sibshopshttps://www.cfsnh.org/support-for-the-siblings-of-children-with-special-health-needsPhone: 603-518-4000
New JerseyEnable Inc. Sibshopshttps://www.enableinc.org/sibshopPhone: 973-395-1441
New MexicoAUCD Sibling Support Initiativehttps://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=605Phone: 301-588-8252
New YorkAdvocates for Autism of NY Sibling Supporthttp://www.afany.org/siblings-support-nightsPhone: 516-833-9527
North CarolinaAutism Society of North Carolina Sibshopshttps://www.autismsociety-nc.org/sibshops/Phone: 800-442-2762
North DakotaND Center for Persons with Disabilities Sibshopshttps://www.ndcpd.org/sibshops/Phone: 701-231-5970

StateAutism Sibling Support GroupsWebsiteContact
IllinoisAutism Society of Illinois Sibling Supporthttps://www.autismillinois.org/programs-services/siblings/Phone: 847-903-0600
IndianaIndiana Resource Center for Autism Sibshopshttps://www.irca.indiana.edu/irca-sibshopsPhone: 812-855-6508
IowaUniversity of Iowa Children’s Hospital Sibling Supporthttps://uihc.org/family-support-and-resources-siblings-children-disabilitiesPhone: 319-384-6898
KansasAutism Society of Northwest Kansas Sibshopshttp://www.autismnwkansas.org/sibshops.htmlPhone: 785-215-6655
KentuckydenAutism Sibling Support Grouphttps://denautism.org/sibling-support-group/Phone: 859-317-9400
LouisianaTulane Center for Autism and Related Disorders Sibling Supporthttps://tcard.tulane.edu/content/sibling-supportPhone: 504-988-5588
MaineMaine Parent Federation Sibshop Programhttps://www.mpf.org/sibling-support-groupPhone: 207-588-1933
MarylandPathfinders for Autism Sibshopshttps://pathfindersforautism.org/information-resources/sibshops/Phone: 443-330-5370
MassachusettsAsperger/Autism Network Sibling Supporthttps://www.aane.org/resources/family-and-friends/for-siblings/Phone: 617-393-3824
MichiganAutism Alliance of Michigan Sibling Supporthttp://www.autismallianceofmichigan.org/siblingsPhone: 517-882-2800
MinnesotaFraser Sibling Support Networkhttps://fraser.org/about-fraser/media-center/news/sibling-support-networkPhone: 612-861-1688
MississippiMississippi Autism Society Sibling Supporthttp://www.mssautism.org/sibshopsPhone: 601-605-2771
MissouriThompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Sibshopshttps://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/sibshopsPhone: 573-882-0757
MontanaMontana Autism Waiver Program Sibshopshttps://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/developmentaldisabilities/autismwaiverPhone: 406-444-2995
NebraskaAutism Family Network Sibling Supporthttps://www.autismfamilynetwork.org/programs/sibshopsPhone: 402-557-3195
NevadaAutism Coalition of Nevada Sibshopshttp://www.autismnevada.org/sibshops.htmlPhone: 702-748-5363
New HampshireChild and Family Services Sibshopshttps://www.cfsnh.org/support-for-the-siblings-of-children-with-special-health-needsPhone: 603-518-4000
New JerseyEnable Inc. Sibshopshttps://www.enableinc.org/sibshopPhone: 973-395-1441
New MexicoAUCD Sibling Support Initiativehttps://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=605Phone: 301-588-8252
New YorkAdvocates for Autism of NY Sibling Supporthttp://www.afany.org/siblings-support-nightsPhone: 516-833-9527
North CarolinaAutism Society of North Carolina Sibshopshttps://www.autismsociety-nc.org/sibshops/Phone: 800-442-2762
North DakotaND Center for Persons with Disabilities Sibshopshttps://www.ndcpd.org/sibshops/Phone: 701-231-5970
StateAutism Sibling Support GroupsWebsiteContact
South CarolinaChampion Autism Network Sibshopshttps://championautismnetwork.org/sibshops/Phone: 803-642-1525
South DakotaSouth Dakota Parent Connection Sibshopshttps://www.sdparent.org/sibshops.htmlPhone: 605-361-3171
TennesseeVanderbilt Kennedy Center Sibshopshttps://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/sibshopsPhone: 615-322-5658
TexasTexas Autism Society Sibling Supporthttps://www.texasautismsociety.org/sibling-support-groupsPhone: 512-244-7538
UtahAutism Council of Utah Sibshopshttps://autismcouncilofutah.org/sibshopsPhone: 801-463-4901
VermontVermont Family Network Sibshopshttps://www.vermontfamilynetwork.org/sibshopsPhone: 800-800-4005
VirginiaAutism Society Central Virginia Sibshopshttp://www.ascv.org/sibshops.htmlPhone: 804-644-6353
WashingtonUW Autism Center SibSupporthttps://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/resources/adult-siblings/sibsupport-group.htmlPhone: 206-598-7945
West VirginiaWV Autism Training Center Sibshopshttps://www.marshall.edu/atc/sibshopsPhone: 304-696-2332
WisconsinWisconsin FACETS Sibshopshttps://www.wifacets.org/events/sibshopsPhone: 877-374-0511
WyomingWyoming Parent Information Center Sibshopshttps://wpic.org/programs/sibshops/Phone: 307-684-2277

Supporting siblings on their journey with autism is crucial for the entire family’s well-being. An autism sibling support group provides a compassionate community and teaches coping skills. Look for a group in your area to find understanding for your child.

DrorAr101

My name is Adi, and I am the proud parent of Saar, a lively 17-year-old who happens to have autism. I have created a blog, 101Autism.com, with the aim to share our family's journey and offer guidance to those who may be going through similar experiences.Saar, much like any other teenager, has a passion for football, cycling, and music. He is also a budding pianist and enjoys painting. However, his world is somewhat distinct. Loud sounds can be overwhelming, sudden changes can be unsettling, and understanding emotions can be challenging. Nevertheless, Saar is constantly learning and growing, and his unwavering resilience is truly remarkable.

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