I see your point, even just a one line point from the father would give that necessary context. Otherwise you're left wondering if the stick happens to be his son's favourite item, is there a particular unspoken bond between his son and the stick, or is the father trying to make a statement about autistic kids being just as 'normal' as any other kid (ie they play with sticks too)?
The point of art is that it is in the eye of the beholder. Provocative art doesn't come with an explanation because it is meant to be encourage exploration. BTW, 'typical' is preferred over 'normal'.is the father trying to make a statement
I think that is just the point. I initially felt a little like @thenewgreen, because I expected to read a story about the father and his son and not the art itself. In some ways, you have to know autism to get the art, but in most ways you just have to know kids.