Does Having a Sibling With Autism Spectrum Disorder Affect Children’s Social Adaptation and Skills?

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 12 - 26

Mürüvvet Aydemir , Damla Ünsal , Hilmi Cantürk , İrem Nur Arslan , Yaren Güzelli , Gözde Önal

https://doi.org/10.47793/hp.1536210

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the social adaptation and skill levels of siblings of children with autism and those of typically developing (TD) children. The sample consisted of 96 mothers, with 48 mothers of children with autism and 48 mothers of TD children. The Social Adaptation and Skills Scale (SASS) was used to assess the children’s social adaptation and skills. Results indicated a significant difference in the SASS total scores between the two groups of siblings (Z = -3.253, p = 0.001). Significant differences were also found in the sub-dimensions of “Impulsivity” (Z = -3.541, p = 0.001), “Attention and Hyperactivity” (Z = -3.361, p = 0.001), “Social Relationships” (Z = -2.189, p = 0.029), and “Emotional State” (Z = -2.528, p = 0.011). These findings suggest that siblings of children with autism face challenges in multiple areas, leading to lower SASS scores compared to siblings of TD children. The results highlight the importance of involving the entire family in the education and rehabilitation process.

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder, sibling, social adaptation, social skills, typical development

Ethical Statement

The study was designed as a descriptive study and was approved by Ankara Medipol University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee with the decision number 57 dated May 13, 2024 (code number E-81477236-604.01.01-2306).

Otizmli Bir Kardeşe Sahip Olmak Çocukların Sosyal Uyum ve Becerilerini Etkiler mi?

Abstract

Bu çalışma, otizmli çocukların kardeşleri ile tipik gelişim gösteren (TG) çocukların kardeşlerinin sosyal uyum ve beceri düzeylerini karşılaştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Örneklem, 48’i otizmli çocuğun annesi ve 48’i TG çocuğun annesi olmak üzere toplam 96 anneden oluşmaktadır. Çocukların sosyal uyum ve becerileri, Sosyal Uyum ve Beceri Ölçeği (SUBÖ) ile değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, iki kardeş grubu arasında SUBÖ toplam puanlarında anlamlı bir fark olduğunu göstermiştir (Z = -3.253, p = 0.001). Ayrıca, “Dürtüsellik” (Z = -3.541, p = 0.001), “Dikkat ve Hiperaktivite” (Z = -3.361, p = 0.001), “Sosyal İlişkiler” (Z = -2.189, p = 0.029) ve “Duygusal Durum” (Z = -2.528, p = 0.011) alt boyutlarında da anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Bu bulgular, otizmli çocukların kardeşlerinin birden fazla alanda zorluk yaşadığını ve SUBÖ puanlarının TG çocukların kardeşlerine kıyasla daha düşük olduğunu göstermektedir. Sonuçlar, tüm ailenin eğitim ve rehabilitasyon sürecine dahil edilmesinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

otizm spektrum bozukluğu, kardeş, sosyal uyum, sosyal beceriler, tipik gelişim

Ethical Statement

Çalışma, tanımlayıcı bir çalışma olarak tasarlanmış olup, 13 Mayıs 2024 tarihli, 57 karar numarası (kod numarası E-81477236-604.01.01-2306) ile Ankara Medipol Üniversitesi Müdahale Dışı Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır.

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