( CNN ) -- Matthew Allen 's 10 brothers and sisters have grown up helping their parents take care of him . Ranging in age from 2 to 27 , they are his playmates , his protectors , his teachers and his advocates . They taught him to talk , but they speak for him when he does n't have the words . And they all dread the possible phone call bearing the news that something awful has happened to him . Matt 's a middle child ; he 's 16 , and he has autism . Living with his parents in Woodbridge , Virginia , Matt has limited verbal skills and often wanders away from home and into dangerous situations . He has attempted to climb electric towers and expects cars to stop for him if he steps into the street . `` We are all always worrying about him when we are not at home , '' said Matt 's oldest sister , 27-year-old Sarah Allen . `` We also know that one day we will be responsible for him as guardians . '' For National Autism Awareness Month , CNN iReport asked families affected by the disorder to tell the world what life is like . We heard from dozens of people with varying degrees of autism and Asperger 's syndrome . Also , parents shared stories about raising children with the disorder . But few people have shared stories about the unique stresses and gifts that autism can bring to sibling relationships . Matthew was diagnosed with less severe autism initially , but as a toddler and preschooler he presented `` some of the most severe symptoms I 've seen , '' said Allen . Now Matthew displays symptoms across a wide spectrum , from high functioning to `` more challenged , '' she said . Related story : With autism , no longer invisible . For example , Matthew can speak and he has an emotional interest in his family . He has adaptive skills , and he shows substantial cognitive understanding and can make simple logical connections . Like many people with autism , Matthew desires routine and sameness.Â Matthew also requires moment-by-moment supervision , his sister said , because he sometimes suddenly leaves the house and walks into the street or into neighbors ' yards . Some of these dynamics are portrayed in TV series like NBC 's `` Parenthood '' and films such as 1988 's `` Rain Man , '' where autism poses challenges for brothers and sisters . Sarah Allen , now a special education teacher who works with children on the autism spectrum , recorded a video for iReport featuring Matt and his brothers and sisters . She said she 's used to seeing autism awareness stories about higher functioning individuals , but less attention is given to children with more severe behavior problems and limited communication skills . She wanted to show how her brother has affected the entire family -- and how involved his siblings are in his life . Related story : Children with autism : Nothing for granted . While they love Matt deeply , having a sibling with severe autism , she said , has put an immense burden on the family . Although organizing family events would pose extra challenges for any family as big as the Allens , Matthew 's needs complicate things even more . `` It strains every relationship in the home , '' Allen said . `` Our vacations , weekends , family dinners -- everything has to be structured to be something he can handle . There are many things we just ca n't do as a family . '' Her sister Rebekah -- also a special education teacher -- added , `` Things many people take for granted , like attending their child 's soccer games , graduations , going out to eat as a family , family vacations and free time on the weekends , are completely centered around Matthew 's needs . ... We can count on our hands the number of times we have been able to do these activities . '' The Autism Society offers explanations and solutions to the hurdles that having siblings with the disorder often create . Sarah and her siblings worry about Matt 's options to achieve a secure and fulfilling lifestyle once he reaches adulthood . As Matt -- who stands well over 6 feet tall and is still prone to meltdowns -- becomes harder to handle at home , the family hopes to find an arrangement `` where he can maintain some form of work and leisure while being kept safe , '' but they know `` such situations are typically rare and immensely expensive , '' said Allen . How he will be cared for `` has been a source of much discussion the past three years . It is very emotional for all of us . '' Related story : Dad reveals greatest fear about autistic son . But Matthew , she says , has given his siblings the gifts of empathy , flexibility and patience . `` Matt is one of the most important people in my life , '' said Allen . `` Each of my siblings can say the same . ''
Matt , 1988 , has 16 brothers and sisters who look out for him . They love him deeply but Matt 's severe autism `` strains every relationship in the home '' They also say he has given them gifts of empathy , flexibility and patience . The Allens hope that when Matthew Allen grows up he can work and enjoy leisure in safety .