Telling People About Your Sibling

Hey guys, Raechel here. I was wondering, do you guys tell people about your sibling? I got an e-mail from a girl once who was afraid to tell people about her autistic sibling. She was scared people would judge her and her sibling if she told them. I always trust my friends with that, and we actually talk about it often. I tell them funny stories about things Eli does and what I've been through. Most of my friends try really hard not to use retarded when they mean stupid, because they know I think that's dumb. Telling your friends or classmates isn't as hard as it seems. Everyone I've told has always just been curious, or they've been able to relate because they know someone with autism. Don't be afraid to tell people about your siblings. Here are some tips for you guys:

• Don't avoid the subject, talk about your family freely and tell them your sibling is autistic.


• Wait for a friend to ask about your sibling, then tell them about their autism.


• Only trust your closer friends with it if you want, you'll feel more secure. But remember, autism isn't a big bad secret, you don't need to be embarrassed.