This Christmas is the first time in 45 years that I have not shared it with my parents. It is the first Christmas we have had to fend for ourselves and make our own food and traditions. For example, this year's Christmas dinner included Christmas tree shaped chicken nuggets without a real whole turkey in sight! What would be the point when 3 out of 5 of us wouldn't eat one?
We also missed our traditional Christmas morning Church service. My eldest Aspie seems to be heading down an atheist, scientific route. His younger brother loves listening to Bible stories in school, although he did once surprise us with his retelling of the story of a strong man called Samsung who was married to Delilah!
Church for some autistic people can be an extremely overwhelming experience. There are many sensory issues to consider such as noisy crowds, smells, temperature, flickering lighting from candles or fluorescent lights, incense. There may be unwanted physical contact such as shaking hands when offering "the Peace" or when leaving the service.
Anxiety can be heightened without clear, verbal instructions and extra time to process them. When do you stand up? When do you sit down? When do you pray? Is it time to sing? This can be lessened by precise information contained in the order of Service, supplemented by visuals.
Most of all an understanding and welcoming congregation is essential. It is often difficult to "spot the autistic" unless they are exhibiting stressed behaviours and therefore, patience with access to a quiet sensory room is also helpful to allow self-regulation.
Just as shops and other public places are beginning to consider the needs of people with hidden disabilities, Churches too have a responsibility not only to raise awareness but also to implement more inclusive structures that value and respect the diversity of our present community.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
We also missed our traditional Christmas morning Church service. My eldest Aspie seems to be heading down an atheist, scientific route. His younger brother loves listening to Bible stories in school, although he did once surprise us with his retelling of the story of a strong man called Samsung who was married to Delilah!
Church for some autistic people can be an extremely overwhelming experience. There are many sensory issues to consider such as noisy crowds, smells, temperature, flickering lighting from candles or fluorescent lights, incense. There may be unwanted physical contact such as shaking hands when offering "the Peace" or when leaving the service.
Anxiety can be heightened without clear, verbal instructions and extra time to process them. When do you stand up? When do you sit down? When do you pray? Is it time to sing? This can be lessened by precise information contained in the order of Service, supplemented by visuals.
Most of all an understanding and welcoming congregation is essential. It is often difficult to "spot the autistic" unless they are exhibiting stressed behaviours and therefore, patience with access to a quiet sensory room is also helpful to allow self-regulation.
Just as shops and other public places are beginning to consider the needs of people with hidden disabilities, Churches too have a responsibility not only to raise awareness but also to implement more inclusive structures that value and respect the diversity of our present community.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf