title: The perceptions and experiences of adolescent siblings who have a brother with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a dearth of research on the perspectives of adolescent siblings growing up with a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews were used to elicit the perceptions and experiences of 12 typically developing adolescents with a brother with an ASD. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data analysis of the siblings' perceptions yielded 6 themes: (a) difficulties and negative impact of their brother's condition on themselves and their family, (b) how others' reactions to their brother negatively affected them as siblings, (c) how their histories with their brothers contextualised their present circumstances, (d) the varying degrees of acceptance and tolerance towards their brothers, (e) positive perceptions and experiences with their brothers, and (f) their thoughts and worries about the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main implications are for supports to adolescent siblings by helping them to develop skills in managing others' reactions and openly discussing concerns about their brother's future.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Bangor University, UK. m.a.petalas@live.co.uk
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Petalas
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Hastings
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dowey
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012801:Sibling Relations; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom