Sister on the Edge of Autism

A sibling's-eye view of autism in life, family, and culture.

Eileen Garvin

The Isolation Project

As the season of isolation stretched into summer, I wanted to reassure my neighbors that isolation wasn’t the worst thing. After all, we introverts do this by choice all the time.

The Short List

I’m confronted daily with how things have changed and the many activities I once took for granted that seem impossible right now, like seeing my family.

Siblings in the Time of the Coronavirus

Siblings are always concerned about their brothers and sisters with disabilities, and the pandemic has raised the stakes in many ways.

In Praise of Leashes

My sister has taught me loads about the power of non-verbal communication and what we can learn if we pay close attention to the people and creatures we love.

Win-Win-Win

Special Olympics, Uber, and the kindness of strangers.

Confessions of an Accidental Extrovert

It seemed possible that the fun, loud version of me was simply an attention-starved young girl. I wasn’t really game to say anything, try everything, go everywhere.

Reading David Finch’s 'The Journal of Best Practices'

What happens when you discover you have Asperger's at the age of 30? Here's David Finch's story.

Reading Shtum by Jem Lester

Shtum keeps unfolding and unfolding like a set of matryoshka dolls and each painful revelation endears the characters to us more.

Like Christmas on the Fourth of July

I think of our parents and our older sister, Margaret, who has not missed a single Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart Church since any of us were old enough to remember.

John Elder Robison’s “Switched On”

This latest book recounts Robison's participation in an early transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study that hoped would help people with ASD better read emotions in others.

Sibling Leadership Network hosts 10th annual conference

Two-day event brings together siblings of people with disabilities to learn about new services and support, research initiatives and advocacy efforts.

Home Is Where the House Is

My parents bought this house for Margaret, but we have always understood this house is for us too. The house means we don’t need to plan on Margaret moving in with one of us.

My Sister’s Happy Birthday

I sent Margaret a spa gift basket for her birthday. But even as I entered my credit card number and hit submit, I was full of doubt. Will she even know it came from me? I doubt it.

The Kids Are Alright

I thought Margaret was angry, but I know now that she was anxious and afraid. And as an adult, I regret that I didn’t see the difference. It might have helped us both.

The conference is intended for siblings of people with disabilities, people with disabilities, parents and family members. Professionals and sibling supporters are also welcome. Conference sessions will cover research on siblings with disabilities, sibling stories, resources and support, and civil rights issues.