Psychosocial Support for Siblings of Individuals with Autism: Insights from a Scoping Review

This scoping review was conducted to comprehensively examine global research on support groups for neurotypical siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study aimed to understand the psychosocial needs of neurotypical siblings, the available support, and the effectiveness of support groups in informing the development of an optimal support framework.

We adhered to the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) to systematically map existing knowledge and identify gaps. The selection criteria included studies published in English from 2010 to 2024, including peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, and theses. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, MS Copilot, CINAHL, Ovid, and Web of Science, following a systematic framework, using defined keywords. Data extraction and peer reviews were conducted using spreadsheet-based methods to ensure methodological rigor. The spreadsheet included the study's metadata (title, author, year, and journal name), population demographics (gender, age, and sibling order), methodology, and limitations.

Of 662 screened studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria after review of titles, abstracts, and full texts. Most studies focused on the impact (n = 4), sibling relationship (n = 3), and varied intervention types. Support groups were found to be a feasible and acceptable intervention for neurotypical siblings, offering improved understanding of their sibling's condition, peer networks, safe self-expression spaces, better mental health, and coping skills.

Findings support the development of tailored, evidence-based sibling support programs, recognizing these as a distinct domain in health and social care policy and funding.