(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 doesn'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.
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Matthew Allen, 16, has 10 brothers and sisters who look out for him
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They love him deeply but Matt's severe autism "strains every relationship in the home"
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They also say he has given them gifts of empathy, flexibility and patience
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The Allens hope that when Matt grows up he can work and enjoy leisure in safety
Matthew Allen
Matthew Allen
Like many people with autism, @placeholder 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.
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While they love @placeholder deeply, having a sibling with severe autism, she said, has put an immense burden on the family.
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"@placeholder is one of the most important people in my life," said Allen.