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Seeking advice re: Younger sibling challenges?

Helen79b

Hi everyone,

we have a wonderful 5 year old daughter, who has a range of difficulties - the most prominent being Sensory Processing Disorder, ASD, Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and severe anxiety. We also have a beautiful 3 year old daughter.

I wonder if anyone could offer advice on how to deal with the impact of having an older sibling with ASD, and how to deal with learned behaviours in the younger child? 

Our 3 year old has always instinctively been supportive of her older sister, and they adore one another. However our youngest is showing some signs of distress in her behaviour with her peers (some aggression and controlling behaviours). 

She also takes responsibility for her older sister - escorting her to the toilet, waking in the night to reassure her. We try our hardest to discourage this, but they have to share a room. :(( 

I feel terrible, and want to help her but feel stuck as I can't change what she's already been exposed to and learned from her older sister.

any help gratefully received xx

  • Hello, 

    This advice came to me when my kids were..12/9,...if your home is only 2 bedroom like mine,,...give them a room each and get a sofa bed for the living room,

    I know it's a pain ...I grew up having to share a sofa bed with my sister so getting my own house I thought I would definitely bag at least one room!,....but as fate would have it ...it was not to be and in the end gave them a room each,...the effects??....the BEST HOME DECISION I EVER MADE!

    I can't even begin to tell you the difference this act alone made ...it was huge and I wish I'd done it sooner,

    Now that he is 15 he has a high bed which gives  him the whole floor space ,

    which we made a small living room

    Also have you thought about a therapy dog?,,

    Keep strong and all the best