Welcoming and including Autistic People into Your Church

“Help! There’s an autistic person in our congregation!”

Autism-Through the Mists of Time

The term “autism” from the Greek word for “self,” was first used by the psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, and then gained more prominence through the works of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger during the 1940s (although Grunya Sukhareva characterised autism two decades earlier).

However, autism had been well documented before this, through early myths and stories of changelings. These were folk tales of fairies stealing human babies, substituting them for changelings, who looked like the original babies but lacked their essential essence and later grew to develop behaviours and characteristics that are outside of what society regards as the norm.

Autistic researchers and historians have identified other stories that seem to chart autism through the mists of history. Some modern historians and biblical scholars even theorise that Old Testament characters such as Samson, Solomon and Joseph (yes, him with the technicolour dream coat fame!) may have possessed autistic traits. A more frequently mentioned possible autistic is the New Testament Jewish leader, Nicodemus as the Gospel of John portrays him as a literal thinker, keen on rules, who couldn’t understand strange expressions without a lot of explanation and who appeared to prefer meeting in low sensory , quiet environments.

Better documented accounts in history include that of Brother Juniper, a disciple of St Francis of Assisi (more later).

Another, and much more well-known account from history is that of Victor, the “Wild Boy of Aveyron.” Victor (1788–1828) was a French feral child discovered in the woods near Saint-Sernin-sur -Rance. He was brought to a nearby town, to be cared for by a widow. He ran away and fled back to the woods. In January 1800, Victor emerged from the woods on his own. His lack of speech, appearance, food preferences and scarred body was suggestive of several years living alone in the wild. He was described as “walking on four legs, eating plants, and being hairy, deaf and mute.” After being examined by several professionals, he went under the care of a young physician, Jean Marc Gaspard Itard, who worked with him for five years, and gave him the name Victor.

Despite making some progress over the years, Itard could not get Victor to speak. He wondered why Victor would choose to remain silent when he had already proved that he was not, in fact, deaf. Victor also did not understand tones of voice. He showed characteristic signs of repeated and restrictive patterns of behaviour, like grinding of his teeth, incessant rocking back and forth, and sudden, spasmodic movements. Collectively, these characteristics have led to Professor Uta Frith and others to argue that Victor may have been autistic. Certainly, like many children later diagnosed with “classic autism,” he was non-verbal, responded to structure and was resistant to “social training.”

Since Victor’s time, several historical figures have been retrospectively labelled as probably being autistic. These include Einstein, who has been described as a loner who repeated the same sentences compulsively until he was seven. Other figures include Sir Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci and Wolfang Amadeus Mozart. All appear to present classical autistic traits such as restrictive special interests, difficulties in social relationships and problems with social communication.

Whilst some may question the accuracy or validity of these retrospective labels, many autistics, including Temple Grandin, argue that for major innovations in science, engineering and art, autism is an essential factor in human progress in these fields.

Like many autistics, I am often asked where my autism comes from. In studying my family tree, I find generations of engineers, and before them blacksmiths on my father’s side. However, I like to trace my autistic DNA to my 9th Great Grandfather, Henry “Bonjour” Crispe (1581 to 1663).

He was a firm Parliamentarian and had supported Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. He was also a wealthy man and in order to raise funds for King Charles II, who in exile, a plot was conceived to kidnap Sir Henry, take him to France and ransom him for the tune of ￡3,000.

So on a dark night in August, 1657, Henry was sitting in his large hall conversing with his servants when suddenly the confused sound of voices and the shuffling of many feet was heard in the distance and (what was described at the time as) “a troop of wild looking sailors stood before the trembling old gentleman” and he was smuggled onto a ship bound for France.

After eight months, the ransom was paid, and Henry was returned home to Thanet, Kent, England.

The only French the old man had mastered was ‘Bonjour’ and it was this that made all of Thanet call him ‘Bonjour Crispe’ for the rest of his life.

I like to think that Sir Henry’s refusal to communicate with his captors in their native language was due to his sheer stubbornness and resistance to change- strong autistic traits. Either way, it is a good story!

True or not, this does reflect a culture of almost romantic interest in autism as either the noble savage, the quirky outsider or tortured genius.

The simple truth, is that we will never know how many, if any, of these historical figures were autistic. However, it is highly likely that autism has been with us a very long time. And autistic contributions to science. engineering, art, music, literature and social justice have been essential catalysts for positive change.

The Christian Church’s Attitude Towards Disabilities (including autism)

I have been a Christian for most of my life. However, I’m sad to say, it is my personal belief that the most hostile and least caring environment for many autistic individuals and their families is the local Christian church. Why is this so? Should loving your neighbour exclude autistic people, simply because they are different? Did Jesus say “let the children come to me, and do not stop them (unless they are autistic)?”

I have heard from so many people who have been excluded or driven out of their church family because they happen to be autistic or parents of autistic children. Some of is overt, and deliberate discrimination,?but much of this is covert and based on lack of understanding?and failing to accept or adapt to the social and sensory differences of autistic people.

Some of these negative attitudes stem from the Christian Church’s traditional attitudes towards disability in general.

Throughout the history of Christianity, attitudes towards disability (and difference) have varied greatly. In parts of the Bible, physical disability is portrayed as a punishment for sin. In the writings of the New Testament, Jesus performed many miracles, including healing the disabled.?Some Christians still identify sin as the cause of disability.?Although the Bible makes no reference to intellectual disability, still today there are Christians who believe that conditions such as autism, like illnesses, diseases and disabilities exist as a punishment for sin.

In contrast, Jesus describes disability as not being due to a person’s sin, or those of the parents, but?“happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

In the Middle Ages, some scholars and priests continued to believe that disability was a punishment from God for committing sins, and would find Biblical texts to support their arguments. Others however, took the view that that those with disabilities were more pious than non-disabled people. One of Saint Francis of Assisi’s original followers, Brother Juniper (who I mentioned earlier) was well loved by Francis for his devotion and profound humility. However, according to the?Little Flower of St. Francis, Juniper did not always understand the accepted standards of social interaction.

Like many saintly figures in history, Brother Juniper often sought solitude and appeared to struggle greatly with behavioural difficulties, either inherently, or through societal expectations upon him. He was literal in his obedience, showed stereotypical behaviour and possibly suffered from seizures. One documented example of his literal thinking is shown here:

“Once while visiting a sick friar, Juniper asked him if he could be of any service. The friar asked for pig’s feet to eat, as it would give him great consolation. Brother Juniper, feeling compelled to help the sick friar, took a knife from the kitchen, went into the forest and found a group of pigs feeding. Juniper caught one of the pigs, swiftly cut a leg off, and ran back to the kitchen to prepare it (leaving the rest of the pig in the forest). Unknown to Juniper, the man in charge of the pigs was standing there watching it all happen and quickly informed his master of the situation.”

When St. Francis confronted Brother Juniper, he was entirely confused why the master of the pigs would be upset at what he did. In Juniper’s mind, he was doing a charitable deed and there was nothing wrong with cutting off a pig’s foot to help someone else out. Brother Juniper was eventually able to win over the angry master with his humility and simplicity.

There are many other similar stories regarding Brother Juniper’s inability to recognize social cues that make it possible he was “on the autism spectrum.” In the end, despite his apparent defects, Saint Francis was famous for saying, “Would to God, my brothers, I had a whole forest of such Junipers.”

Martin Luther, however, held the view that disability was caused by sin, and is recorded to have recommended to the Prince of Dessau that a young boy with disabilities be drowned. When this suggestion was rebuked, Luther told the prince that Christians should pray for the Devil to be removed from the boy every day.

Today, disability is still linked with sin in some denominations of the church and in some cultures where Christianity is the predominant religion, particularly in some African nations, including Ghana and Ethiopia.

In?Ghana, people with mental illnesses and neurological disorders are routinely sent to prayer camps linked with Evangelical and Pentecostal churches to try to overcome their disorders. In some of these camps, people may be chained to objects for prolonged periods, deprived of food and provided with poor sanitation. Disabled Christians also report feeling unwelcome when attending church.

Such cultural behaviours are not mutually exclusive to darkest Africa.?Many families of autistic children in the USA report feeling excluded from Church services because of the attitudes of other members of the congregation.?Furthermore, Christian groups often support so called “miracle cures” for autism including forcing children to swallow or be injected with bleach, prevention from taking life-saving vaccinations and “miracle pills” akin to the snake oil pedlars of the Wild West!

Before us Brits wring our hands and think ourselves superior and more educated in our attitudes towards disability, prejudice and ignorance remains in many churches and congregations in good old blighty, too!

Some of this stems from traditional adverse attitudes and misconceptions towards autism. For example:

·????? Autistic people may be pre-considered to be dangerous, disruptive or present socially inappropriate behaviours

·????? Autistic people, or their behaviours, may be misinterpreted as tantrums, or signs of mental illness or craziness

·????? Autistic people might be regarded with fear, suspicion, punishment

·????? Autistic people may be directly, or indirectly, excluded or ostracised by the Church or congregation

·????? Autism is not a mental health condition, although many end up with anxiety or depression because of poor behaviour towards them, or having to “mask” in order to “fit in”.

·????? Autistic people endure a lifetime of being unfairly feared, ostracised and punished simply for being autistic.?

·????? 80% have been victims of bullying.

·????? Over 60% have considered taking their own lives.

·????? This is a vulnerable minority population of people, much in need of safe friendship and supportive environments.

However, not every culture is hostile or discriminatory towards autistic people. The maories in New Zealand, for example, have a much more positive attitude. The Maori word for autism is “Takiwatanga” (in their own time and space). Indeed most recent research on autism concludes that autistic people, like myself, tend to have their own timing, spacing, pacing and life-rhythm.

We are “different, not less,” or, as I describe it, we have a different operating system (for those familiar with computers). Our brains are wired differently and our social communication and interaction styles and how we process environmental and sensory input is different to how society has deemed the majority consensus to be. There is a form of “cultural imperialism” in that autistic people are expected to conform to societal rules and norms, whilst little consideration is given to the consequent impact on our health and wellbeing. ???????

How Common Is Autism & Does It Really Matter To The Church ?

There are estimated to be more than 700,000 autistic people in the UK, but it could be over 1 million as many remain undiagnosed, or are discovered later in life. Statistically therefore, there are likely to be about 80 autistic people in the average parish. This makes it far more than most physical disabilities, and certainly wheelchair use.

There is, consequently, a likelihood of autistic people already in any local church undertaking any number of roles. It is unlikely that many would have notified the church or congregation of their autism for fear of rejection, ridicule or criticism. Many fear the responses, because of the myths, born out of ignorance and misunderstanding of what it means to be autistic. Or, they may not even yet realise that they are on the autistic spectrum. Many are discovered later in life.

Is autism a good thing for our churches? Yes! If a church is to grow, it must not exclude, potentially over 1% of the population on the grounds of their disability or neurodiversity.

How to welcome autistic people into the Church

Generally, things that help autistic individuals help nearly everyone else too. These include:

-Easy instructions -Environments where you can think, and pray, and enjoy, rather than being overwhelmed -Friendly, welcoming leaders who want to make things work, rather than find excuses not to -A church where autistic people are recognised and enabled as disciples, leaders, prayer partners, and in many other roles -A church that is a safe and respectful place for all.

Did Jesus know about autism?

Let us consider the character Nicodemus. He usually approached Jesus in the quiet and dark, away from the deafening crowds. He could not understand metaphor (such as the concept of “being born again”), and Jesus had to re-explain it to him. Later, Nicodemus grabbed a rule book to try to save Jesus. Finally, at the tomb, Nicodemus staggered up the hill with an extraordinary amount of herbs and spices.

All of this could be interpreted as possible autistic behaviour. For those of us who are autistic, it is a comfort to see such a recognisable figure at Jesus’s side!

Making Sense of Communion

For many church congregations, holy communion is an important and integral part of worship. However, it can be quite a daunting and confusing experience for anyone new to the congregation, more so for an autistic individual. Society has lots of hidden and unwritten social rules and church society is no different. Understanding these social rules often does not come naturally to many autistic individuals. Also, each church denomination may have different procedures around communion, and sometimes how the communion service is delivered varies even within a church denomination.

Questions may include. Is the bread and wine passed around? Who holds what and in what order? Is there a single loaf or small pieces of bread or wafers? Are there individual cups or a shared cup? Are you expected to stand or kneel at the altar-rail. What are we expected to do, and what words do we have to say? Finally, when & how do we return to our seats? And then there are the social and sensory considerations around sharing the peace. Do we hug or shake hands. ?How long for? What if you are hypersensitive to human touch or physical contact? It is such a minefield for many autistic individuals!

It comes as little surprise than that?“…the autistic person can go through life without ever finding the deep uncritical love and affection for which they are so hungry….?Autism is love waiting to find love, but so misunderstood that this objective mostly fails.

But God is love, so where better should an autistic person go to find love than to the church, the body of Christ? But therein is the challenge for the body of Christ because most …do not understand autism. (Stan Walden)

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Some Tips for the Church to Help Autistic Children and Their Parents

-Ask the child or young person what helps -Even if they do not use spoken language, they may use technology, or picture clues, or signing, or gesture, to guide you -Take time to listen, and learn -A parent or carer may help interpret -Don’t make assumptions! -Many autistic children really want to listen and learn about faith, not attend a crèche and do “fun” activities -Make sure they are as able to learn about God as everyone else -Always assume competence

Some Parents’ Experiences from British Churches

The following quotes are from real parents, as provided to the Church of England:

“We had a family of four (now in church leadership), turn round and glare at us for a whole service… “…someone from the leadership came to me as the worship finished and the sermon began, and asked us to leave because we would certainly become a distraction to the preacher…We didn’t go back.” “I had to try five churches before I found one that offered me a welcome. The rest either ignored the phone calls or emails, or told me they were too busy to respond right now, week after week. Non-disabled friends had no such trouble. The unspoken message was, “We don’t want you here so we’ll ignore you until you go away”.

To quote Matthew 25 : “I was a stranger and you did not invite me in… you did not look after me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”?

Negative Reactions from Congregations about Autistic People:

·????? “Children with autism are due to bad parenting”

·????? “Parents and people with autism wallow in self-pity”

·????? “Autistic people are a nuisance”

·????? “Autism is an illness and needs to be cured”

·????? “Autistic people are in some way defective”

·????? “Disabilities are tragedies and people with disabilities are to be pitied “

·????? “We really wish that these people weren’t here”

Useful strategies

?Watch for clues from behaviour: (eg a child covering their ears)

?Provide clear, precise instructions-Keep it simple !

?Watch for difficulties with touch

?Maintain a low arousal approach

?Don’t insist on eye contact

?Expect social communication difficulties

?Allow processing time

?Engage in their special interests as a “way in”; use these to illustrate biblical themes

?Provide a quiet room or safe haven

?Give them responsibilities that they can handle

·????? It is rare for an autistic child to lie about a situation-in the case of suspected abuse,?always take it seriously

Reflecting Again on the Traditional Church Response to Disabilities and Difference:

As mentioned earlier, the traditional church response was that disabilities were lessons used by God to teach us to empathise with others less fortunate. The Church regarded mankind as fallen, but the disabled more so than others. Jesus came to cure or heal those with infirmities, so the church should strive to imitate him by following His example. Heaven is a place devoid of imperfection, therefore disability is abhorrent to God.

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What Should be the Correct Church Response?

People with disabilities, including autism are like everybody else, and everyone is unique and equally important in the eyes of God, irrespective of their culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, abilities or disabilities. All of us are created by God and for God, each with a vulnerable heart and yearns to love and be loved and valued.?We all have a mission and each of us is born so that God’s work may be accomplished in us.

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The Church should make the buildings and congregations welcoming.

This should be achieved through making reasonable adjustments and practical arrangements, with welcoming hearts.

The Church needs to acknowledge these simple truths, autistic people don’t need healing, non-autistic (neurotypical) people need to be more flexible and understanding (for you have greater capacity to naturally absorb and adapt to unwritten social rules in our society).

Dr Damien Milton, an autistic academic researcher, argues that just as it could be said that autistic people lack “social insight” into non-autistic culture and culture and communication, it could also be said that non-autistic people lack “social insight” into autistic culture and communication. Milton calls this disconnect “the double empathy problem,” because both the autistic and non-autistic group lack understanding of each other. In other words empathy is a “two-way street” and miscommunication and misunderstanding occurs within both groups. Our straight-talking bluntness, literal thinking and apparent pedantic behaviour occurs as a consequence of this mutual lack of empathy. ??????

Ten Practical Ways Churches Can Help Autistic People

-Structure -Visual communication aids -Look at the positives-see the person as God sees them -Talk with them to gain acceptance -Provide a quiet area/time out room -Use Social Stories to explain communion etc -Give the person practical tasks/responsibilities -Provide a listening ear/empathy -Identify and remove triggers to behaviour -Prayer and fellowship

Conclusion

I began by writing that although I have been a Christian for most of my life. Sadly, however, as an autistic and parent of two autistic children, in my personal experience the least understanding and supportive environment for my family has been the Church. By being more inclusive, adaptable, welcoming and appreciative of the value of autistic people, a more Christ-centred and loving church is achievable and desirable. With 700,000 plus autistic individuals within the UK, the vast majority of which do not attend any form of regular worship, the Christian Church, and indeed other religions, are missing out on a huge resource of gifts and talents that represent a substantial untouched demographic.

If you want to discover more about what it is like to be autistic, and how you can support autistic individuals and their families in worship, education or employment please contact me through my website?https://wired4autism.co.uk. , or drop an email to [email protected]

And remember, we autistics are different, not less, we simply have a different operating system, which I think is pretty cool!