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Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism has evolved from an unfamiliar term to an everyday reality for millions of people. Bookstore shelves are filled with resources that address how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects children and adults at school, work, and home.
But what about the church? What about your church? How can it become a welcoming place for individuals and families affected by ASD?
Autism and Your Church offers practical ways to welcome and include individuals with ASD into the full life of your congregation. This resource will enable church leaders to
- appreciate those with ASD as persons created in God s image
- learn about six common areas of difference in individuals with ASD.
- discover ten strategies for including people with ASD in the life of your church.
- develop an action plan for ongoing ministry with children and adults who have ASD.
A reproducible resources section includes interview and permission forms, a coordinator s job description, a sample Individual Spiritual Formation Plan, and more.
But what about the church? What about your church? How can it become a welcoming place for individuals and families affected by ASD?
Autism and Your Church offers practical ways to welcome and include individuals with ASD into the full life of your congregation. This resource will enable church leaders to
- appreciate those with ASD as persons created in God s image
- learn about six common areas of difference in individuals with ASD.
- discover ten strategies for including people with ASD in the life of your church.
- develop an action plan for ongoing ministry with children and adults who have ASD.
A reproducible resources section includes interview and permission forms, a coordinator s job description, a sample Individual Spiritual Formation Plan, and more.
127 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2011
1 person is currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 8, 2025
If you are looking for a place to start in learning how to make church as welcoming and safe place for students with a Autism, this book is a quick guide with helpful resources.
March 22, 2018
Recently I was reminded of the communication gap my ASD daughter and I sometimes experience. After several days of my coming in to the room and asking if she minds if I change the channel on the tv and having her say yes only to find out she meant no, she finally told me that was a confusing way to phrase the sentence. We then decided it was best if I ask, “Can I change the channel?”
Now, how does this tie in to why I read this book about ASD and the church? Well, church and Bible concepts sometimes seem to be as allusive as the question of “Do you mind if I change the channel?” It’s not always clear to a mind that thinks differently as to the intention behind it….maybe it is more figurative than a literal mind can grasp. So, I was really looking for ways to reach her on the importance of following God’s plan laid out in the Bible. This really isn’t that kind of book. It is good, however, at helping people who don’t have much experience with ASD to know what it is and how to offer a welcoming atmosphere for those with ASD and how to involve those with ASD. I, personally, wasn’t crazy about the formal Individualized Spiritual Plan (ISP) suggested but do recognize that I could’ve been more open about her situation and the best way to handle her as an individual…though we all fear being THAT parent…Still, her advice is good that those running programs such as youth leaders, elders, ministers could benefit from knowing that ASD individuals tend to be very literal, can be overwhelmed by too much stimuli, can have language processing difficulties or delays, prefer one-on-one rather than whole group activities, etc.
At the writing of this book around 1 in 100 people were being diagnosed with ASD. That number has changed to about 1 in 68 now. So, if you think that a congregation of 300 people might have 3 or 4 people with ASD, you might see that efforts should be made to include and educate this population to the best of our abilities. The author refers her readers to 1 Cor. 12:21-26 to see how God would have His people treat one another.
Now, how does this tie in to why I read this book about ASD and the church? Well, church and Bible concepts sometimes seem to be as allusive as the question of “Do you mind if I change the channel?” It’s not always clear to a mind that thinks differently as to the intention behind it….maybe it is more figurative than a literal mind can grasp. So, I was really looking for ways to reach her on the importance of following God’s plan laid out in the Bible. This really isn’t that kind of book. It is good, however, at helping people who don’t have much experience with ASD to know what it is and how to offer a welcoming atmosphere for those with ASD and how to involve those with ASD. I, personally, wasn’t crazy about the formal Individualized Spiritual Plan (ISP) suggested but do recognize that I could’ve been more open about her situation and the best way to handle her as an individual…though we all fear being THAT parent…Still, her advice is good that those running programs such as youth leaders, elders, ministers could benefit from knowing that ASD individuals tend to be very literal, can be overwhelmed by too much stimuli, can have language processing difficulties or delays, prefer one-on-one rather than whole group activities, etc.
At the writing of this book around 1 in 100 people were being diagnosed with ASD. That number has changed to about 1 in 68 now. So, if you think that a congregation of 300 people might have 3 or 4 people with ASD, you might see that efforts should be made to include and educate this population to the best of our abilities. The author refers her readers to 1 Cor. 12:21-26 to see how God would have His people treat one another.
August 16, 2024
Helpful information for ministries.
February 25, 2013
By providing helpful tips on understanding children, youth and adults with ASD, this book focuses on how important it is to see each person as a unique individual created by God. Autism and Your Church offers advice on the administrative side of a program as well as specific suggestions on managing behavior challenges and finding strengths in individuals with ASD. It also offers personal glimpses into real scenarios to help you learn from them as well as see how autism presents differently for each individual. Having the reproducible samples in the last chapter that can easily be used and/or modified to meet your church's needs is extremely handy.
August 8, 2016
Found in a church I visited for an outreach, I am happy to see one author try to explore how ASD affects a person's understanding of the worship service, Sunday school classes and biblical themes. A good resource for a large church with special-needs worshippers and a helpful read for parents who believe and want to include their youth or support an adult on the spectrum.
March 29, 2010
Excellent book! Even bought one for my Pastor and his wife to read!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews