Adrienne Bransky, our VIP Award honoree, champions her son’s mission to introduce tennis to children on the autism spectrum.
by Karyn Brodsky
Dallas resident Adrienne Bransky understands the transformative power of education for children with autism, especially as it impacts her life as a mother.
Her 14-year-old middle child, Josh, is on the autism spectrum. When her eldest son, Matthew, now 17, proposed the idea of launching a Dallas chapter of ACEing Autism—an initiative that improves the lives of children and families affected by autism through tennis—Adrienne quickly rallied behind him.
At the time of Josh’s diagnosis at just 14 months, Adrienne was a busy professional with a demanding corporate job, while her husband Aaron was in medical residency. They faced a scarcity of information about autism and encountered differing opinions from various healthcare providers.
After relocating to Dallas, Adrienne made the decision to step away from her corporate role to support Aaron’s medical practice, allowing her to be more present for her three children and focus on Josh’s needs. Alongside her parenting duties, she diligently researched autism, advocated for Josh’s care, and networked with professionals to secure effective therapy to enhance his communication and social skills. The Branskys became involved with autism advocacy organizations like Autism Speaks to raise awareness and connect with other families navigating similar challenges. “Autism has significantly shaped our family’s journey over the years,” she reflects. “We endured a lot for Josh and felt compelled to give back.”
Both Matthew and their daughter Sarah, inspired by their parents’ commitment, also wanted to contribute to autism awareness. When Sarah was five, she, unbeknownst to Adrienne, set up a lemonade stand. “The funny part is we live at the end of a cul-de-sac—who would even pass by?” Adrienne recalls. Eventually, she secured permission from a local grocery store for Sarah to sell lemonade at the entrance. Together, they have successfully raised approximately $1,000 annually over the past six years.
Upon learning that starting ACEing Autism in Dallas could fulfill his school’s community service requirement, Matthew, currently a junior at Parish Episcopal School, approached Adrienne for support. They organized the local chapter, took on co-director roles, secured space at the University of Texas at Dallas, and reached out to partners like Penn Head for equipment. While Matthew focuses on recruiting volunteers primarily from his high school, Adrienne takes charge of promoting the program.
Adrienne emphasizes that the program’s goals exceed merely teaching tennis skills. “It’s about enhancing hand-eye coordination, fostering social skills, building self-esteem, and boosting confidence,” she explains. “We celebrate all the small victories.”
Classes catering to children across the autism spectrum are set to commence on March 18th of this year, and already there’s a waiting list. For more details on future enrollment or to offer assistance, please visit aceingautism.org/locations/dallas-tx or email aceingautismdallas@gmail.com.
Adrienne is a remarkable testament to selflessness and unwavering support for her children’s endeavors. Her relentless dedication to uplifting families of children with autism has a profound impact. For her dedication to aiding her eldest son’s initiative aimed at enriching the lives of children with autism through tennis, Themerrythought Magazine proudly honors Adrienne Bransky with this month’s VIP award.
For more information or to nominate an individual for our VIP or Good Kid Awards, please visit Themerrythought.net or email Tricia@Themerrythought.net.
