Descriptive analysis of the sibling relationships for families with a child with autism spectrum disorders

Update Item Information
Title Descriptive analysis of the sibling relationships for families with a child with autism spectrum disorders
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Social & Behavioral Science
Department Family & Consumer Studies
Author Linnell, Laura
Date 2012-08
Description The present study examined mothers' and sisters' perceptions of the sibling relationship for children who have a sibling with autism. The study occurred within the context of a strengths-based computer workshop called the iStar SketchUp Workshops. The siblings were involved in the workshops along with their brothers. Seven siblings and 6 parents were interviewed to see how they perceived the sibling relationship within the context of everyday life and within the context of the workshops. Using thematic coding, themes from the interviews were identified. The themes highlighted differences in the way that the siblings and parents framed the sibling relationship within everyday life activities versus within the workshops. Within the context of everyday life activities, the siblings focused on helping their brothers and playing with one another. The siblings also described how they had a sense of duty to their brothers because they were family. On the contrary, the mothers focused on the challenges of the sibling relationship, which they attributed to differences in learning style, which ultimately led to their perceptions of siblings engaging in separate activities. In contrast, both the siblings and parents perceived their brothers and sons differently in the context of the workshops. In the context of the workshops, they saw them as boys who possessed amazing skills and fit in with their peers. The sisters had a sense of pride for their brothers' accomplishments and the mothers spoke more positively about their children's relationships. Implications for interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders are discussed.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Autism; Siblings; SketchUp; Technology
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Laura Linnell 2012
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 518,691 bytes
Identifier etd3/id/1849
Source Original in Marriott Library, Special Collections, RJ25.5 2012 .L56
ARK ark:/87278/s60296bk
Setname ir_etd
ID 195537
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s60296bk
Back to Search Results