Growing Up With a Parent on the Autism Spectrum, featuring Hillary Hurst Bush, PhD

If you do an online search for the words “parenting” and “autism,” most of the results will be about parents who don’t have autism raising children who do. But what if you’re a parent on the autism spectrum, or have a partner or co-parent who is? In today’s episode of Shrinking It Down, Gene welcomes special guest Dr. Hillary Hurst Bush to share her story of growing up with a Dad with autism – both from the perspective of her younger self and her professional experience as a neuropsychologist with the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Mass General Hospital. Even with challenges along the way, Hillary’s dad offered unique parenting strengths that stemmed from his differences, including dependability, reliability, and loyalty. Tune in for more. 

Have a question for Dr. Bush, or want to share your own story about growing up with a parent on the autism spectrum? Write to us! 

Media List 

• Hillary Hurst Bush, PhD (Massachusetts General Hospital) 
• Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (Massachusetts General Hospital) 
• AsperDad: Growing Up With a Parent on the Autism Spectrum (Maybe) (MGH Clay Center) 
• What Is Autism Spectrum? (MGH Clay Center) 
• The Stone Poneys – Different Drum (YouTube) 
• A comparative study of autistic and non-autistic women’s experience of motherhood (Molecular Autism) 
• Greatest Strength: Challenges Met With Courage (YouTube) 
• A Parent’s Journey Through Autism: “I have to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time…” (MGH Clay Center)  

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

Music by Gene Beresin

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