Communities of Faith and Individuals with Autism: Perfect Together
Mary Beth Walsh, Ph.D.
Just as the autism spectrum is remarkably diverse, so, too, the religious landscape of the State of New Jersey is exceptionally varied. One source reports at least 84 different faith traditions, movements or denominations right here in the third smallest state of the union. 1 From the Church of the Nazarene, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, from the Greek Orthodox Church to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, from Mennonites to neo-pagans, including representatives of all the major world religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and through new religious movements like Falun Gong and the Mita Movement, New Jersey houses a rich and complex mosaic of religious communities. Yet, there is one thing we can point to that all these faith communities have in common: out of every 150 adherents in each of these traditions, one will have an autism spectrum disorder. And autism never affects one person alone; it involves the whole family, and the whole community.
Communities of faith have a critical role to play in the lives of individuals with autism and their families. Autism often and easily leads to a family’s isolation. Simply leaving the house can be challenging. Malls with escalators, revolving doors and crowds can be hard; movies with their imposing visuals and crushing sounds can be challenging; and restaurants may be impossible for people with restricted diets or food selectivity issues. Even visiting friends or relatives becomes difficult when they don’t understand the family’s challenges or second-guess choices made by the family. When a family member has autism, it is often easier to stay home alone than to venture out into the world.
The Mosca Family Our son is a part of this community of believers, and they deserve the chance to know him, too. We are not going to hide in the “cry room” anymore!
Communities of faith can mitigate the isolation that autism often brings. They can provide a place of solace and refuge. They can become a haven of acceptance and belonging for individuals with autism and their families. Welcoming, inclusive faith communities can make a powerful difference in the lives of families living with autism. Becoming a welcoming faith community will take some effort, but any such effort is amply justified by many of the central faith claims of diverse religious traditions.
Anonymous While sitting in worship with my two young children, an older woman asked me to remove my disruptive toddler. She spoke with a condemning tone, one I would soon become immune to. I took my children to the nursery and cried. A few weeks later, I tried to take my children to worship again, but my son was just as disruptive. When I stood up to leave, the pastor stopped me. In the middle of her sermon, she told me to sit down. She told the rest of the congregation that my son was a member of our church and that it was all of our responsibility to raise him and to teach him the ways of God. The tears I am shedding as I write this story are ones of gratitude, in contrast to those I shed seven years ago in the nursery of my church.
I would like to highlight four Christian beliefs that together build the case for including people with autism in faith communities. 2
The book of Genesis makes clear from the start that all of creation is of value to God. Genesis 1:31 tells us that God looked at creation and said it is good. One way to actively value the goodness of creation is to assure that our faith communities go out of their way to welcome all of God’s people. Including the ones who are
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Autism and Faith
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