According to the Autism Society of America, autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. It results from a neurological disorder that affects development in social interaction and communication. The most common categories within the autism spectrum are

• Autistic Disorder
  
• Asperger Syndrome
• PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)

This page features autism spectrum resources of particular interest to faith communities. For additional resources, see ADNet's Asperger Syndrome page.

From Autism Society of America:

• "The Christian Perspective": Tips for supporting inclusion, by Terri Connolly
  

Autism and Faith: A Journey Into Community. This unique guide is the product of two years of work by The Autism and Faith Task Force in New Jersey. The Task Force is a joint effort of The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities and The Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC). 
    With articles by family members, theologians, pastors, rabbis, people with autism, and professionals, the booklet contains facts about autism, pastoral care, religious education, strategies for supporting families, tips for lay people, and a listing of religious and public resources. The articles are highlighted by real life stories from a number of families who responded to an autism and faith survey. Only $5.00 postpaid! To order click here.

Autism and Your Church by Barbara J. Newman is a resource from Friendship Ministries.  This workbook offers practical ways to welcome and include individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) into the full life of a congregation.

This excellent practical book is reviewed by Christine Guth.  You can now order this and other Friendship Ministries resources directly from ADNet.

Newman offers suggestions for monitoring the sensory input in your church environment (see the book for more details):

• Provide a "reset" area
• Offer "break time" instead of imposing "time out"
• Don't insist on eye contact
• Weigh the effects of touch
• Add rocking chairs and trampolines
• Think along with an individual

Dr. Karla Kay Akins, educator, pastor, and mother of twin boys with autism, has written several helpful articles on helping children with autism to be integrated into Sunday school and worship.

How Churches Can Support Families Living with the Autism Spectrum/Pervasive Developmental Disorders Or Other Disabilities

Sensory Integration in the Religious Education Classroom

For more general information about Sensory Integration (now standardized under the nomenclature of "Sensory Processing Disorders") visit the Sensory Processing Disorders Network.

Many files on ADNet Online require the use of the Adobe Reader. This is available free of charge for all operating systems from Adobe. Click on the icon below to download the latest version.