My Son has an Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Interview with Chrissy Brack
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Chrissy Brack
Did you know that 1 in every 54 children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
This means that you probably know a parent of a child with ASD. What are the unique challenges that they face within their parenting journey? What are outdated phrases and presuppositions that you should get rid of in conversation (no more “high” vs. “low” functioning)? How can you be a friend and a support?
Chrissy Brack talks about her son Joe: his needs, his gifts, and the way that parenting him has changed (and bettered) her as a person. She also shares how parenting a child with special needs has particularly equipped her to weather the uncertainty of 2020.
You can find the Handle with Care podcast on Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts. And you can listen to Chrissy’s episode here:
Chrissy and Joe (photo taken by Joe Brack)
Here are three key take-aways from my conversation with Chrissy:
Respect the boundaries of parents living with a child on the autism spectrum. This is just an extension of the basic premise of respecting ALL parents and their boundaries, but it is especially important here. Chrissy bravely puts the needs of her son first, realizing how central she is to his well-being. But this sometimes means strong lines in social situations. Respecting boundaries means that, if they choose to leave a play date early, you DON’T try to cajole them to stay or put on a guilt trip, “Do you really have to go?” Instead, you say, “It was great to see you!” and leave it at that.
Bring food. Food is such an immediate, necessary gesture of care.
Be a friend that listens, just listens, without judgment or having to make it better. And, as you listen, remember that it is alight to have limits. We all do and COVID has thrown us up against them, hard. Don’t be afraid to look bravely at your limits and to imagine a new normal.
This is a sort of bonus point. Chrissy mentioned online communities like Raising Children UnFundamentalist that I have linked below. A supportive community matters.
