A New Name

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  1. Pete Matthew
    Sep 25 - 5:42 pm

    Emma,
    Very helpful, thank you. For our daughter number 8 is key. It helps her know where we’re at in the meeting and what’s coming up. The unknown causes significant anxiety.

  2. Beth Thomas
    Sep 26 - 10:02 am

    The issue I have is with my son (age 12) feeling able to actually attend church in the first place. There are quiet places he can go, but for him it’s about preferring to be in his online world at home. I struggle to think of any strategies to help him engage with church when he doesn’t want to join in with youth activities or be in the main congregation.

  3. Emma
    Sep 26 - 7:10 pm

    Hi Beth

    Thanks for commenting – that must be so difficult. I’m afraid I don’t have much wisdom; are there other parents reading who could make suggestions? These articles might be of interest too https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/including-asd-child-heading-to-church/

    and https://church4everychild.org/aspergers-disorder-and-spiritual-development/

  4. Trish scobell
    Sep 28 - 7:36 am

    Great article Emma!
    Just a little thing though… rocking and such is called ‘stimming’ not swimming.
    Maybe this is a miss print?
    Trish. Xx

  5. Emma
    Sep 28 - 10:03 am

    It is indeed a misprint (and a whopper!) – thanks Trish; now amended!

  6. Beth
    Sep 28 - 10:20 am

    The is a topic that I have been thinking about and how my church can be more aware. I think this is a great list. I think one of the things that I would add is teaching others how to interact. I am not an ASD mum but the mother of a Down Syndrome child. To her everyone is her friend and yet at church I see children ignore her and walk right past her. She thinks they are her friend. So teaching and modelling this to our children is important. How do we include and love on those with special needs.

  7. Emma
    Sep 29 - 2:36 pm

    Thanks Beth – yes, that’s really important. Maybe a future post? Is it something you’d be interested in writing about?

  8. Beth
    Sep 30 - 3:30 pm

    Yes, I see my daughter want friends. I would be honoured to write about this. Beth

  9. Miriam E
    Oct 01 - 8:05 am

    Thanks for this! As someone with ASD, I would also add that post-service socialising is one of the hardest parts of church for most autistic people. It helps to have quiet spaces to interact in after a service, perhaps one on one. Also, as with everyone, it helps to keep an eye out for those who have withdrawn and to seek them out.
    Having a definite structure to morning services is definitely useful, as well as keeping it roughly the same. Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of autistic people quite like, “Today we’re going to try something slightly different…”

  10. Emma
    Oct 01 - 12:58 pm

    Thanks Beth – I will email you

  11. Emma
    Oct 01 - 1:04 pm

    Thank you Miriam – so helpful

  12. […] For more links and 10 tips on how to make church autism friendly, go here. […]

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