I am currently doing my undergraduate dissertation about the experience of growing up with a sibling with Down syndrome. I am conducting my research with adult siblings and asking them about their experience of having a sibling with Down syndrome and how this may have impacted their life.
Yes. Thanks for asking about this important topic. Siblings of children with autism seem to cope better than those of people with other disabilities (a phenomenon know as the “Down syndrome advantage”). There is very little, but there is some. Here's one:
Orsmond and Seltzer's (2007) longitudinal study comparing adult siblings of people with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum disorders found that adult siblings of individuals with Down Syndrom express more emotional closeness and are more optimistic about their brother or sister's future than siblings of children with autism:
Orsmond, G. I., & Seltzer, M. M. (2007). Siblings of individuals with autism or Down syndrome: Effects on adult lives. Journal of intellectual disability research, 51(9), 682-696.
This one talks about the “Down syndrome advantage” (but doesn't specifically address adult siblings:
Hodapp, R. M. (2007). Families of persons with Down syndrome: New perspectives, findings, and research and service needs. Mental retardation and developmental disabilities research reviews, 13(3), 279-287.
Good luck with your important work!
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