Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

An Intervention Proposal for Mental Health Promotion

Abstract

Neurotypical siblings of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at greater risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems (EBP). There is no proposed intervention in the literature for EBP of individuals with siblings diagnosed with ASD, despite its higher risk for mental health problems. Here are the objectives of this study: 1. to evaluate EBP in neurotypical siblings of individuals with ASD and to compare the report with the version of the parents and/or caregivers; 2. implement a psychoeducational intervention with the siblings to promote mental health. The sample will be 30 neurotypical siblings, aged between 11 and 16, of individuals diagnosed with ASD and their respective parents and/or caregivers. The instruments will be the ASEBA System: the Youth Self Report/11-18 (YSR) for self-report and the Child Behavior Checklist/6-18 (CBCL) for the parents’ report. This study is based on the assumption that there are high levels of pre-intervention EBP, a disagreement between parents and children according to the adolescents’ EBP, in addition to a positive correlation of increased EBP and a greater commitment of siblings with ASD. After the intervention, an improvement in EBP is expected. Method: Pre and post intervention evaluation with YSR and CBCL. The intervention, to be carried out with typical siblings, will consist of 24 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each, in a group, with a total duration of six months. The intervention proposal is: session 1 and 2: contract, greeting and establishment of bond; sessions 3 to 10: psychoeducation about depression and anxiety (characterization of the clinical condition) and the importance of seeking help; sessions 11 to 13: experience reports (communicate concerns); sessions 14 to 16: psychoeducation of coping skills; sessions 17 to 19: strategies to promote mental health and quality of life; sessions 20 and 21: summary of psychoeducation of coping skills; sessions 22 and 23: promotion of coping skills booklets; session 24: closing and participant feedback. At the end of the intervention, a decrease in EBP scores of typical siblings is expected.