Siblings’ perceptions in Autism Spectrum Disorder compared with Intellectual Disability and Typical Development.

Objective: Differences between the self-image of persons with typical development and the image they have of their brother or sister with disabilities have been hypothesized in literature, but no specific patterns have been detected with reference to intellectual disability associated or not with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The aim of the study was to address this specific issue. Method: Two Semantic Differentials on self-image vs brother/sister’s image were administered to 93 individuals with typical development divided into three groups, matched by age, according to the sibling’s condition: Autism with Intellectual Disability, Intellectual Disability without Autism, Typical Development. Severity of impairment and levels of adaptation of disabled brothers/sisters were also taken into account. Results and conclusions: Siblings of individuals with disability perceived the disabled brother/sister as less active and less emotionally stable than themselves, but not demonstrating any significant difference in showing affects and feelings. In future research, specific behaviors associated with ASD need to be controlled in order to better address the differences between the aforementioned groups.