An assistant professor at Baylor University has received a nearly $900,000 grant to develop an intervention program to help kids with autism and their siblings, Fox 44 reports.
Jessica Akers, who grew up with a brother and sister with developmental disabilities, says she's "passionate about her work with children with disabilities and their special siblings."
The goal of the "Sibling SUCCESS: Supporting Unique Collaborative Care to Encourage Shared Success" program is to encourage siblings of children with autism or "special siblings" to collaborate and participate as "a vital member of the intervention team," according to a press release.
The program will offer three levels of training: an extended program targeting the reduction of challenging behavior and increase in prosocial behaviors; a four-week program promoting positive interactions between siblings; and a one-day workshop to teach siblings how to use basic behavioral tools to enhance the quality of interactions with their siblings with autism.
"In addition to properly planning for the future, the experience of growing up as a special sibling can be positively impacted by increasing their access to information about autism, opportunities to interact with other special siblings, and a decrease in challenging behavior in the sibling with autism," Akers says.
According to the press release, only 19% of adults with autism live independently from their families
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