Seeing through the Filipino Glass Children: Lived Experiences of Typically Developing (TD) Siblings to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Isabela

Glass Children are siblings of a person with special needs. Current research on this population remains limited. Consequently, the impact of their complex experiences and unique needs is often overlooked, particularly within the Philippines. Employing a phenomenological framework, the purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences and family life of Filipino “Glass Children” in terms of their family dynamics and routines and its impact in their inter and intrapersonal development. Photo-elicitation interviews were used to generate rich, detailed depiction and descriptions of the phenomenon. Thematic analysis subsequently illuminated five distinct themes; participants reported: 1) feelings of being “different” from peers, 2) emotional and psychological struggles due to the internalization of family roles or life conditions, 3) financial and therapy-related problems 4) the journey behind developing a growth mindset, and lastly 5) receiving and giving social support. Findings of this study shed light on the cruciality of processing the experiences of typically developing siblings, hence an urge to also address their psychological and social needs. Furthermore, these findings support the use of a family-centered approach and family education in therapy services when working with individuals with ASD and tailoring interventions to support the needs of all.