Sibling relationship and friendship in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Objectives The study was designed to compare sibling and best friend relationships engaged by adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods Twenty adolescents with ASD, aged 15–18 years ((M = 16.80, SD = 0.95), and their typically developing (TD) siblings (n = 20), aged 18 to 24 years (M = 20.05, SD = 1.67), were recruited for the current study. Behaviors underpinning attachment, caregiving and affiliative systems were evaluated as well as negative interaction behaviors in sibling relationships and friendships.