Customer Reviews

Autism and Your Church

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Perhaps the greatest thing of all that Barbara Newman has done with this book is to remind us that "being a Christian" is not, in fact, simply synonymous with "normal" people extending their "normal" personalities.

Such a reminder is a stupendous joy to those of us with an autism spectrum disorder. If one is Christian and autistic, then one is "in the world but not of it" - twice.

When I read at the start of the book about the family who was asked to leave their autistic child at home so as not to "bother" the broader church family, it struck me that many professing Christians are not even "not of the world" once.

Clearly, Ms. Newman is an exception. Thanks for giving us a voice.

As a person who seeks new information regarding autism, this book was the perfect fit as my church committee began planning to create a program for children with special needs. I loved how the introduction stating "Everyone Welcome" at church really opens our eyes to the fact that this usually isn't really the case. Families bringing kids with autism to church campuses all over the country are being turned away due to the church's inability to understand and support some of the behaviors that autism presents. AUTISM AND YOUR CHURCH is a great way to just springboard your church to really meaning "Everyone Welcome" instead of just posting a sign that is often ignored.

This resource is excellent for providing bite-sized pieces of information that when added together can really help a committee, person or overall church create a program that welcomes all of God's children with open arms.

Chapters include:

Defining Autism Spectrum Disorders
Common Areas of Difference in Individuals with ASD
Ten Strategies for Including Individuals with ASD
An Action Plan
Reproducible Resources

The book 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. My favorite part is having the reproducible samples in the last chapter that can easily be used and/or modified to meet your church's needs. As well, sample social stories to help children with ASD follow schedules and understand scripture are helpful.

I sincerely feel that EVERY church library as well as every youth/associate/head pastor should take the time and read this book. Although it doesn't have ALL of the answers, it is a great start to helping support families - who have kids on the spectrum - in seeking involvement in a church family. By learning just this much about autism and having an open heart to these wonderful families will open your eyes to how important they can be as participants in your church family.

As a side note, in addition to this resource, if you are starting a program or would like to integrate a program for individuals with special needs, I suggest you seek out Friendship Ministries online.

Joanna Keating-Velasco
Author of Childrens' Books on Autism
Independence Facilitator for Adult Transition Program
Placentia Presbyterian Church Deacon and Committee for Special Needs Childrens' Ministry
A Is for Autism F Is for Friend: A Kid's Book for Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism
In His Shoes, A Short Journey Through Autism

If you are a parent or minister with experience with autism this is not the book for you. With that said, if you are new to the world of autism and want some very good practical ideas to reach out to a person with autism this is your book. There are encouraging stories mixed in with good advice. I didn't learn anything new, but it was perfect to pass on to fellow church members, which was great.

if you have a child with autism and have trouble going and sitting in church, this is the one for you. i got two. one for my church and me. it haas helped me alot and we are now using it for other disables aw well as normal kids. it helps them to sit for that hour or so and now they know what is expected of them. it is gret to have.

This book was given to the pastor of our Church. Since giving this book to him, I have found that he is more welcoming to my children.....even his sermons are more understandable. My children have often stopped and listened to the teaching after the gospel - it feels like he is talking to them. This is a must for all Churches/Temples - no matter the faith. Our children want to be a part of our faiths - this book will help guide our leaders to that end

Anyone who is involved with Children's Ministry needs to have at least skimmed this book over. It has helped us with some of the larger picture things related to autism. I oversee a Children's Ministry with about 130 kids, 20 teachers and 18 helpers. This book has equipped our church to looking at them, not simply as a handful child, but as something greater.

Since the stats say that 1 in 96 boys will be diagnosed with autism this year, it's something that every church should have a plan to address. If churches are going to welcome everyone, and minister to everyone, they need to know how to reach this special group of people. This book gives a clear, basic introduction to what autism spectrum disorders are, how they interfere with a person's ability to participate in most churches without any accommodation, and some simple, tangible steps churches can take to accommodate and include the autistic community in the body of Christ. I will make one comment though. The writer obviously does not have a child with autism, as she makes the absurd recommendation of educating middle and high school students on the differences between ASD children and NT children by showing portions of Rainman (quite possibly one of the most offensive propositions I've ever heard). That being said, I read the book, crossed that section out and gave it to my church administrators for them to read. I highly recommend it.

"When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." -- Mark 10:14

"If you open up your heart, you will see He's right there. He always was and will be. He'll relieve you of your every care." -- George Harrison, 1970 from "Awaiting on You All"

This book is most timely and needed. Given the rise in autism, people will need helpful resources in helping them cope with their children's needs during church services. Thank goodness many churches have ministries and programs for children with special needs.

A family with a child who has cognitive delays and cerebral palsy attend my church. The child will scream out intermittently during mass, but everybody takes it in stride. I take the position that God wants us all to be there and that child has just as much right to be part of the services as anyone. There are also many families of children with autism who attend my church, which is a Catholic church.

When I was 6, I said that "just because you go to church doesn't mean you're good." That comment was borne from the frustration I felt in dealing with people who came across as cruel and callous, yet who made a big show of attending mass. I like the way this book addresses the "Pharisee Syndrome," that is people who pay lip service to the precepts regarding universal acceptance and who post welcoming signs at the church only to try and bar people with special needs from attending.

This book is ideal and presents information in easily processed amounts. I am a firm believer that God welcomes all with open arms and if He wanted to bar any of His special needs children, then He would never have created them in the first place. People who talk a good game and who make a big show of attending mass only to treat others shabbily once mass is over make me tired. I once said that people who behave this way "treat the church as a time clock and they are the punch cards - punch in for mass, but once the service is over, it's back to business as usual."

I especially loved the chapter focussing on autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behaviors. This book has chapters that feature a particular condition and provides helpful tools and suggestions on how to help the child, family and church cope. I especially loved the chapter entitled "Ten Strategies for Including Individuals with ASD" and provided a list of resources.

Another good feature included in this book is directed towards church officials in how to make accomodations for people with special needs. The samples section illustrating possible case scenarios and ways of working directly with individuals with special needs was a standout feature.

This book belongs in EVERY parish; church library; school; church/parochial school and ministry library. This is a book that is vital and critical to all who are part of the organization of a church. It is an excellent jumping off point to help guide and direct people toward the Path of Understanding & Tolerance.