Reflexive thematic analysis of ‘GlassChildren’ Reddit posts by siblings of autism

Katharine Starling; Oliver Mason

doi:10.29329/jsomer.78

Authors

Katharine Starling University of Surrey, United Kingdom https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9631-8761
Oliver Mason University of Surrey, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29329/jsomer.78

Keywords:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Glass children, Siblings, Reddit

Abstract

This study examined the experiences of individuals with autistic siblings who self-identify as “glass children,” feeling overlooked or invisible due to their sibling’s needs. 593 statements drawn from relevant threads by 53 individuals from the online forum R/GlassChildren were analysed following six phases of Reflexive Thematic Analysis: familiarization with the data, generating initial codes, producing themes, reviewing potential themes, defining themes, and producing the report Themes suggested that many participants felt neglected by their parents, experienced tumultuous sibling relationships, and had life trajectories profoundly altered by this, including their mental health and wellbeing. Participants primarily used the forum for support, solidarity, and advice, which led to a strong emphasis on their sharing a wide range of negative emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, blame, and embarrassment, as well as fears about the future. Limitations include the lack of data verification and the representativeness of siblings as a whole. Though this study did not aim to quantify the prevalence or degree of such self-identification among siblings, the results clearly highlight a critical need for more accessible, targeted interventions, including parental education, therapeutic support, and peer networks, to help prevent feelings of neglect and isolation among these siblings.

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