This
column will address these, and other issues. As the sibling
of a person with autism, I have confronted and struggled
with these issues both personally and professionally. Each
month a different topic will be discussed that will
•
help
parents plan for the future
•
provide guidance to siblings
• help siblings be beneficial to siblings and parents
alike.
Future
columns will address advocacy, transferring responsibility
from parent to sibling, guardianship, day and residential
services, government benefits such as Social Security
and Medicaid, trusts, estate planning, medical decision-making,
and more. Occasionally, a guest columnists will discussed
coping with emotional issues and related topics. Please
feel free to email us and suggest topics for future articles.
It
is important for all to understand that siblings will one
day replace parents as decision makers. Siblings must learn
to cope with the issues facing their brothers and sisters
and must be trained to protect them when necessary.
