Lindy Chau has been with AutismBC for over half of the organization’s history, an astounding 25 years. Join us in celebrating her incredible legacy of supporting autistic people of all ages and support levels over the decades.
Her journey began when her son was diagnosed at three-and-a-half years old. At the time, as a young mother in her twenties, Lindy quickly realized the challenges of navigating a system with limited resources for autistic children with fluctuating, low, or moderate support needs. Her son, whose support needs are high, has always needed extra help that wasn’t always easy to get.
“Back then, there was nothing,” she recalls. “We didn’t know what autism was. There was no internet… and when I read about autism, it didn’t really relate to my son. He was verbal, affectionate, attached as a child — never cried, no attention-seeking — so what is autism starting from there?”
Lindy faced repeated challenges as she sought to support her son. The limited information available was often too general to be helpful, and the advice she found from other parents and social services left her feeling isolated.
“I went to all the support groups I could,” she shares. Everyone told me, ‘Good luck. He’s going to be like this for the rest of his life. He’s going to need support. You’ll have to find someone [to take care of him] or put him in a group home.’”
Still, Lindy refused to accept his bleak outlook, choosing to take a more neuroaffirmative approach at a time when doing so was very uncommon.
“I thought, ‘Why are you ashamed of a child who can be so happy and lead such a fruitful life?” she says.
Advocating for Change
Lindy’s approach has always been about embracing individual differences rather than trying to change people. She’s a strong advocate for hiring staff with lived experience to guide AutismBC’s work, ensuring it stays connected to the community it serves.
“I really enjoy working with people who share the same vision,” she says. “Most of us have lived experience that helps us know what the community needs.”
She hopes for a future where autistic people can live fulfilling lives supported by care and understanding. Her vision for her son is clear: she wants him to embrace life without limitations so he can contribute to the world in his own unique way.
Over the years, Lindy has seen AutismBC transform from a parent-focused organization to one that includes broader perspectives and prioritizes acceptance, diversity, and compassion.
Looking ahead, she’s focused on the future, particularly the growing needs of aging autistic people and their caregivers.
“I think this is a huge service gap; aging parents plus the aging autism community,” she explains. “If we could advocate for them, that would be great. Right now, we rely on the family to get ahead.”
Lindy envisions programs that address these challenges, including specific support strategies for aging autistic adults with high support needs.
In addition to her advocacy work, Lindy runs an AutismBC support group for parents and caregivers, offering them a safer space to share, connect, and find hope. Her greatest reward is helping families discover moments of joy and hope on their journey.
“It makes me happy if I can make one family see hope,” she says. “Happy parents make happy children. Being a safe person [for their child] to vent to, that achieves my goal.”
As she reflects on 25 years with AutismBC, Lindy is preparing to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
Her passion, fueled by personal experience, continues to inspire countless families and shape a brighter future for autistic individuals across BC. We are so grateful she chose to spend so many years with AutismBC and wish her all the best as a staff team.
