Sibling perceptions of living with a young person with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder: An integrated review

PURPOSE: This integrative review synthesized current information from 28 research articles meeting inclusion criteria that examined sibling experiences when living with a young person with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Five themes emerged related to sibling experiences: their knowledge of the condition, relationships with others, perceptions of the condition, emotional reactions to the situation, and behavioral/personality outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses caring for families raising youth with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder can enhance sibling development by providing individual interventions reflecting siblings' perceptions of the experience.