Tide Between Brothers

Hi,

I am the elder brother of Ivan and living life alongside him, is not a simple task. I recall when I was younger, I was not very happy about how things went. Ivan would sit daily in his corner and play on the computer, while I had to sit across him and study. I had always found that treatment was unfair to me, due to the fact that Ivan was free all the time to play and to enjoy himself, while I was tied down by homework.

Upon reaching primary school, my brother was not attending mainstream school. In total, he had only needed to study for less than fifteen minutes a day. I would complain to my parents and they will try to explain to me that he was different and so he will be needed a different approach. Of course, I was not happy with that explanation!

I used to get embarrassed when Ivan would do crazy things in public. I would even pretend as if I did not know him. There was a phase I went through in my life, where I would just take it as I did not have a brother and I showed him no concern, despite being his older brother. 

Recently, we just had a new addition into our family, baby Iggy. After the birth of my youngest brother, I learned that it was my responsibility to watch over both my brother. That's why I decided to step up and so what I had to do. I came to understand my brother, Ivan and had to come to accept our differences. we got along better. However, even now we still have our conflicts. 

Living alongside autism, is not simple but with support from family and friends, it can be achieved. These special children hold more than what meets the eye. Ivan's development has been an amazing journey, as we all work together as a family to improve him.

 Here, is a shot of the two brothers, taken on one holiday.

This article was written by a fifteen year old sibling of a child with autism.
A great thank you to El.