Does having a sibling help?

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My siblings and I get along, to a point. As the oldest of 3 boys (5 really, but I never had any contact with the youngest 2) I had my own room and was given a certain amount of favoritism from my parents and grandparents which slightly alienated me from my brothers.

We used to play together when we were young, but once I reached puberty that stopped as I preffered to be by myself at that point. Over the years we've drifted apart, still living in the same house and spending a lot of time in eachother's presence but there's no sibling bond to speak of.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be an only child, according to my family I took my oldest younger brother to my grandparents when I was about 7. We walked by ourselves, for more than 5 kilometers, I left my brother infront of the door of my grandparents' house because they weren't home and headed back. On the way back home I was picked up by my grandfather, he yelled at me on the ride to his house and I was treated to more yelling by my grandmother and parents when we arrived.
I distinctly remember them crying and screaming and then hugging me. I remember this because it confused me, they were still crying and screaming as they were hugging me and I didn't understand, their actions seemed to contradict eachother.

...and now I've gone and had myself a nice rant. Ah well.

I'm the oldest of three, but my brother is close enough in age that I was able to benefit from his "normalcy" and make friends with most of his friends. My sister is ten years younger and used to be a huge pain, but even that has made me more patient. They're both NT's.

I have 10 siblings, and it was quite the opposite of help, and remains as such even in my 30s. The less I have to do with them, the better.

It depends on the sibling. For example, my brother is one of my greatest joys in life, while my two older sisters are a real pain in the neck (figuratively speaking).

For me worse. I have one sibling that is a worthless scumbag. Makes life hard for child, my parents, me, everybody comes in contact with. Sibling really one of the lowest beings I think God ever created and serves no purpose at all. I know that sounds mean and harsh about a sibling, but you have no idea what we've been through and still go through on a daily basis. Constant stress, worry and anxiety.

I had good and bad times with my siblings. My eldest sister was bossy but a nurturer. My sister closest to my age would pick on me, hit me but we have the most in common. One upset mood could be resolved with one Monty Python quote. My brother I loved and worshipped as a child but I could never disagree with him or he'd go apesh*** at me.
I was very different than my siblings and my mum noticed this so gave extra time for me and was more protective. I see that as a good thing.
It was hard for me to make my own friends so I would hang out with my sister at school. When she went to high school I was left to be on my own.
There is good and bad. In the end it is your decision. Please don't decide against having another child because of negative words used here about past experiences.

i love my little brother. he and i are both Aspies; he was diagnosed at age 5, i am currently undiagnosed. i helped raise him, and he kept me sane. our parents used to work all the time, so my little brother and i took care of each other. he is 17, and i am turning 19 soon, and we still like each other. out of all my friends, i am the only one who is still friends with my little brother and always was. most people get a tad annoyed with younger siblings apparently... never happened with us, though, for which i am quite grateful. i honestly don't know what i would have done through my high school years without my little brother, and i am so glad i can be here to help him grow up, just like he helped me. i wouldn't give my brother up anything. i love him. i shudder to think what would have happened if i had been an only child...

Thanks for all of the great posts!

Pensieve, well having another biological child may be more out of my control and in God's hands since we have sort of been trying for over 3 years and it has not happened. If we adopt a child, they will more than likely be an older child (3-8yr old range) My concern is that if they are too hyper or have too many issues from the past, that it may interfere with my caring for my son. Or, it may just put too much stress on him having his world upset. Our house tends to be fairly quiet, so I have to be careful of my decision.

Overall, I guess I just felt sad that I had not been able to have a sibling for my son, but hearing some of these posts makes me wonder if he will be allright without one!

I have tpo say it REALLY depends on the siblings and the parents. I am eldest of 5 - one pretty functional, 1 not so functional, two seriously challenged, none Aspie [unless one brother], and I am the most successful overall. I suffered no damage.

My wife in the middle of 6, two pretty functional, 1 not so functional, two challenged. Probably no other Aspie type; she got a lot of messing up from a couple of the,

Our son, only child - came along fairly late - hovering around theaspie border somewhere, very healthy happy.

My earliest memories consist mainly of my supposed brother destroying my favorite items and hurting me. These days he plays loud music and sees fit to "borrow" my things whenever he wants to. He's rather unintelligent, and I do not feel he is in any way related to me.

I had looooottttssss of rivalry with my little sister when we were kids. We were friends for a few years when she got older, but then she surpassed me and left home, and she doesn't have time for me anymore. For practical purposes, I don't know if it was totally worth it, having a sibling. (Although I love her.)
Maybe a dog would be better. It's a better bet, anyway, I think.
It does take a very special person to be a good sibling to someone who struggles with life... and I think those people are rarer than good dogs.

I have an older brother and a younger sister. I suppose I used to look up to my older brother, but he stayed in England while rest of the family moved here to australia. We keep in contact, and I was always happy to have him as a brother I guess.

My sister, however, I have always found incredibly annoying, and since turning 14 has become a real b***h. Always bringing friends home (most of which give me dodgey stares, causing me to hide in my room a lot) and always playing loud ass music. He honestly makes me miserable. But, at the same time, I think I'd be incredibly lonley without at least one sibling. I don't know, I might of been happier as a lonely child. I doubt it though.

I actually enjoyed life with my two younger brothers, and our parents were fairly good at keeping us in line (assuming no one here minds using a paddle for discipline). We kept things fairly democratic (2:1 vote wins), our interests ran the same way (most of the time), and our arguments were short-lived. We never got into physical arguments with each other (our parents would tear our butts up if we did), and we were able to help each other out when needed (homework, etc). It all depends on the parenting . . . having more than one child you have to ensure the love is spread equally.