Türk kardeşlerin otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan kardeşlerine ilişkin deneyimleri ve bilgileri

The present study aims to describe the experience of Turkish siblings (n = 7) with typical development aged between 8-18 years-old about having a brother or a sister with autism spectrum disorder. Moreover, their knowledge about autism spectrum disorder was also examined in the study. This hopefully will contribute to improving the quality of services granting to families with a child with autism spectrum disorder the Turkish society and shed light on an equally important aspect of the effect of autism spectrum disorder on the family in comprehensive vision and on siblings in particular from their point of view. A descriptive method was used in this qualitative study. Data were collected by the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with the siblings. The questionnaire includes 20 open-ended questions. Content validity of the questionnaire was ensured by asking the opinions of experts (n = 3). Prior to interviews with participants, the researcher conducted to a pilot study to test the interview process and the feseability of the questionnaire. Knowledge Of Autism Questionnaire (KAQ) developed by Ross and Cuskelly (2006) was used to evaluate participants' knowledge on autism. Seven participants from six families from the city of Eskişehir were recruited in a snowball sampling (Hays & Singh, 2012). The researcher audio-taped the the interview with each participant and then transcribed them. Data were analyzed descriptively and manually in the order: data immersion, coding, and themes identification. Four major themes; Understanding of autism spectrum disorder, Relationships, and Interactions between the siblings, Emotional dealings, and Value of siblinghood were grouped out of the data. Containing 10 subthemes, were emerged from the essences of the participants' lived experiences. Results indicated that the older siblings of children with autism that have diagnosed for more than five years have a better insight into autism, thus, their understandings regarding autism rely on their personal conclusions formed depends on their experiences with their diagnosed sibling, moreover, this understanding gets more advanced with age. Although, some of these understandings are unreliable and do not reflect a clear awareness about autism, thus, they still find it difficult to explain autism to other people around them. By focusing on qualitative methodology within obtaining a deeper understanding of the sibling relationship directly from the siblings' own perspective, this study contributes to an understanding of mental health professionals, clinicians, and paramedical workers toward children who have a sibling with autism spectrum disorder 's implicating. Suggestions of potential interventions, including at the first place siblings' education about the autism as early as possible, preventing implications that can evoke confusing thoughts, in the purpose of optimizing the strengths of the sibling relationship to reach effective dealing among this population, considering their specific needs in a cultural context that suits them. This study intended also to families for their education considering what the siblings may live and feel, as well as for research involving families when one of their children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.