Scholarships and Resources for Siblings of Autistic Children
Being a sibling of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be a rewarding experience, but it also presents unique challenges and sacrifices. Recognizing these challenges, various organizations and programs offer scholarships and resources to support the siblings of autistic children in pursuing their educational goals. This article explores the landscape of scholarships and support systems available to these deserving individuals.
Understanding the Needs of Siblings
A serious medical diagnosis in childhood can result in a lot of lifestyle changes for the child and their family. It will take time and patience for siblings of children with medical and other special needs to process and understand the new challenges and experiences that may come with their brother or sister’s diagnosis. Appointments with specialists, modifications to the home or the daily routine, and new accommodations for a child who has special needs can be expected. If there are other children in the home it is not uncommon for these needs to impact and disrupt the life experiences of these kids as well.
The Special Needs Trust understands that being a sibling of a brother or sister with special needs, while rewarding, may mean that you make sacrifices. From being asked to help out to feeling left out, there are likely to be many complicated emotions that can best be supported by others with similar experiences. We recognize this, and provide financial aid to make that sibling's education as attainable as possible. We don’t want that burden to prevent a child with special needs or their sibling from being able to freely pursue their continued education. We don’t want your kids to miss out on opportunities to grow and thrive, so whether college, camp(s), or community events, we want to help make your dreams for your family come true.
Scholarships Specifically for Siblings
While scholarships specifically for siblings of autistic children may be limited, some organizations explicitly acknowledge and support these individuals. The Special Needs Trust acknowledges the need for scholarships for individuals with special needs as well as siblings of those with a disability.
Siblings of Autism
Siblings of Autism is an organization that offers scholarships, respite funds, and outreach programs to siblings of children with Autism.
Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide
General Scholarships for Students with Disabilities and Their Families
Several scholarships cater to students with disabilities and their family members, including siblings. These scholarships recognize the impact of disabilities on the entire family and aim to alleviate the financial burden of higher education.
UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program
UCB awards one-time scholarships to people living with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers who are pursuing higher education. Thirty scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants who demonstrate academic and personal achievement. The Epilepsy Leader Scholarships were created in memory of Dr. Jack Pellock and Dr. Sandy Helmers. The Joe D'Souza Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of UCB's beloved global medical director and is awarded annually to the single applicant who most exemplifies Dr. D'Souza's spirit.
Scholarships for Students on the Autism Spectrum
While not specifically for siblings, it's essential to be aware of scholarships available to students on the autism spectrum, as these may indirectly benefit families by reducing the overall financial strain. Several organizations offer scholarships to students across the autism spectrum.
Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Scholarship Program
The Organization for Autism Research’s scholarship program awards scholarships to students across the autism spectrum. All high school students with autism attending a post-secondary program may apply, as well as current college students with autism who will be attending a post-secondary program. This scholarship has no geographic restrictions. OAR's Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $1,717,500 to 558 highly deserving autistic students since 2007.
The 2025 OAR Scholarship Program opens for applications on Monday, December 9, 2024, and remains open until Monday, April 21, 2025. Each scholarship requires completion of an online application that includes three short essay questions, the date of their autism diagnosis, and proof of school enrollment. OAR will only require proof of diagnosis from applicants identified as finalists.
Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships
Schwallie Family Scholarship
The Schwallie Family Scholarship supports students attending two- or four-year undergraduate colleges. Most Schwallie applicants are students attending four-year degree programs. Schwallie applicants attending two-year undergraduate degree programs are often students who intend to transfer to a four-year undergraduate program in the future. Although available to students across the autism spectrum, the Schwallie Family Scholarship is an extremely popular program for college-bound students diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. This highly-competitive program receives about 500 applications annually for up to 40 scholarships.
Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship supports students attending two-year undergraduate colleges; life skills or postsecondary programs; or vocational, technical, or trade schools. Hussman applicants typically make up the pool of talented students who face daily challenges related to autism and attend programs that assist in skill-building, job-readiness, and other transition-related skills.
Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color
The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color supports students attending any kind of post-secondary institution: four-year undergraduate colleges; two-year undergraduate colleges; life skills or postsecondary programs; or vocational, technical, or trade schools. Applicants must belong to an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority group.
John’s Crazy Socks Autism Can Do Scholarship
John’s Crazy Socks is accepting applications for its Autism Can Do Scholarship, co-sponsored by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. Applicants must have an identified disability and must also be high school seniors, high school graduates or college undergraduates who plan to enroll in full- or half-time undergraduate study at an accredited United States two- or four-year college or university for the upcoming academic year. The program will award renewable scholarships.
Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest
The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest awards a scholarship to a person diagnosed with autism (also known as autism spectrum disorder, or ASD). The scholarship will be made as a direct payment toward the winning applicant’s tuition at a post-secondary educational institution.
Read also: Scholarship Guide
The Law Office of David P. Scholarship
The Law Office of David P. offers an Autism Scholarship fund that will be applied toward the cost of tuition for the chosen applicant. The educational institution chosen by the successful applicant may be a vocational or trade school, as well as a college (including junior college).
Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship Fund
The Thomasons established the Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship Fund to honor the educators and friends who provided support to Gunner Thomason on his college journey - as well as Gunner’s own tenacity and grace.
Additional Scholarship Resources
Several platforms and organizations offer comprehensive scholarship search tools and resources that can help siblings of autistic children identify relevant opportunities.
Going Merry
Going Merry is a one-stop shop for scholarships, allowing students to find and apply for scholarships on their platform. It's a scholarship search engine and an efficient scholarship application form all in one. Users fill out a profile, get matched to scholarships they're eligible for, and then can filter or favorite scholarships into an application shortlist. The platform auto-fills any information you've already provided.
Grants and Financial Assistance Programs
In addition to scholarships, various grants and financial assistance programs can support families with autistic children, indirectly benefiting siblings by freeing up resources for their education.
American Autism Association
The American Autism Association understands how costly having a family member on the autism spectrum can be. There are a number of grants and scholarships offered around the country to children and adults on the spectrum. The American Autism Association provides a list of tips to help walk you through the application process.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is not responsible for and does not administer or monitor the grants listed, but provides information about grants available through Autism Speaks, including those available to families, and what they have funded in the past. Contact their Autism Response Team for state or location specific grants.
Ability Found
Ability Found provides people with disabilities with much-needed equipment to facilitate independence, productivity, safety, opportunity and dignity. Examples of equipment they provide include: adapted pediatric strollers, adapted pediatric daily and feeding chairs, pediatric toileting equipment, pediatric bathing equipment, augmentative communication devices
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF)
ASDF offers multiple opportunities for autistic children, including: Summer Scholarship Program to support social skills camps, swimming programs and equine assisted services, iPads for Kids Program, and Holiday gift cards.
Autism Care Today
Autism Care Today’s Quarterly Assistance Program provides families with real help by directly paying a child’s service provider for services they would otherwise not be able to afford. Areas of support include but are not limited to: Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, speech and occupational therapy, bio-medical testing, supplements, assistive technologies, safety equipment, social skills groups, special needs summer camps and many more.
Celebrate EDU
Celebrate EDU's microgrant Program can help your business sprout and grow. Available for business ideas of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities age 16 or older.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Special Needs Grants provide financial assistance to Active-Duty CGMA clients who are faced with increased financial requirements because they have dependents with special needs. Examples of qualifying costs include: specialized activities, adaptive equipment, assistive technology and respite care, among others.
Maggie Welby Foundation Scholarships
The Maggie Welby Foundation offers scholarships for school children grades Kindergarten through twelfth grade who demonstrate a financial need.
Music Movement
Music Movement is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that develops and funds music-centric programs, scholarships, and events to improve the lives of the autistic community and for those with learning differences. Their grant program funds music therapy and lessons, musical instruments and camps for young adults.
MyGOAL Autism Grant Program
MyGOAL offers a yearly grant to families across the United States, to support and care for individuals under 18 years old with autism. The MyGOAL Grant Award Program is a need-based grant for treatments and enrichment and educational needs that may not otherwise be covered privately or by other third-party funding sources.
My Gym Foundation
The My Gym Foundation accepts applications from or on behalf of children with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities and those coping with chronic illness or financial struggles. Requests may include but are not limited to rehabilitative therapy, My Gym classes, assistive devices, medical equipment and sensory items.
National Autism Association (NAA)
NAA’s Give A Voice program provides communication devices to individuals with autism who are non-verbal or minimally verbal, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm.
Oracle Health Foundation
Oracle Health Foundation's pediatric grants connect children to needed care when finances stand in the way. Applications are accepted from the United States and through select international providers.
The Orange Effect Foundation
The Orange Effect Foundation empowers children and young adults with speech disorders to effectively communicate through technology and speech therapy.
Small Steps in Speech
Small Steps in Speech is a charitable non-profit organization which provides grants on behalf of children with speech and language disorders for therapies, treatments, communicative devices, and other services aimed at improving their communication skills.
Special Angels Foundation
Special Angels Foundation provides support in obtaining therapies, equipment and resources to families raising children with special needs.
United Healthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF)
UHCCF grants provide financial help/assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
Varghese Summersett PLLC Annual Scholarships
This scholarship is intended to assist a deserving autistic child, 15 years old or younger, who is in need of financial aid for educational or recreational opportunities. The award may be used towards a camp, tutoring, education, or other tools to help the student progress and live a fulfilling, happy life.
Informational Resources for Parents & Caregivers
With all of the unknowns, siblings are bound to ask questions and experience new feelings and emotions. The following informational resources are available to aid caregivers in answering questions and finding the right words to discuss this major life change. A guide from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s Health Care Toolbox, an article from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and a guide from HealthyChildren.org all include tips and information for supporting children through the illness or injury of their siblings. A guide from the Highmark Caring Place provides tips on how caregivers can discuss life-limiting illnesses with children. A resource from the American Cancer Society and a resource from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, provide age-appropriate tips on how caregivers can help the siblings of young cancer patients cope with this difficult experience. A resource from the National Cancer Institute offers teenagers information to help them understand and cope with their siblings' cancer diagnosis, and The Imaginary Friends Society (which offers films for kids about cancer treatment), has a collection of short films just for brothers and sisters of cancer patients. An article from Nemour’s Kid’s Health offers tips on how to discuss with siblings the ongoing needs of children with disabilities.
Coping & Peer Support
Once they are informed about their sibling’s special needs, ongoing support may be needed to help a child cope with the new family dynamic. From being asked to help out to feeling left out, there are likely to be many complicated emotions that can best be supported by others with similar experiences. The following are peer-to-peer resources just for siblings.
The Sibling Support Project
The Sibling Support Project offers publications and peer support groups known as Sibshops, to the siblings of children with disabilities.
JustSibs
JustSibs is an organization with online resources and digital experience tools for siblings of children with illnesses or injuries.
A Sibling's Perspective
There is perhaps no greater resource for the children we are looking to support, than the experiences of someone who has been in their shoes. An essay by Bowen Zhang, available as a resource on RedTreehouse.org, was among the finalists in the 2021 Stop the Hate® contest. Bowen wrote about her experience as the sibling of a child with special needs, and shared ways that she is giving back to the community. An article from ChildMind.org includes advice from siblings, for siblings of children with special needs. The Sibling Support Project has created a guide with twenty things that siblings of children with special needs want us all to know about their life experiences.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Understanding what the people awarding the scholarship are looking for is a great way to stack the odds of winning in your favor. Nothing sinks your chance at winning an award faster than silly mistakes. The more awards you apply for, the greater your chances are of winning one.
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