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.

New! "Including Children with Autism" 
How Assembly Mennonite Church included a family and child with autism in the life of its congregation

• Including Children with Autism - Condensed from March 2010 issue of Connections.
• Including Children withe Autism - complete article
• Suggestions for an introductory flyer to introduce a child with autism to the congregation

From Autism Society of America. "The Christian Perspective": Tips for supporting inclusion, by Terri Connolly 

If you hear Nick vocalizing, he's just worshiping: "Our Family & Church," an article from The Lutheran, the magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is a letter from the family of a young man with autism to their congregation, helping them to understand their son's behavior and support his participation in their faith community.

From About.com: Autism. Attending Religious Services with an Autistic Person, by Lisa Jo Rudy

Welcoming Those with Autism and Asperger's in our Churches and Communities. 28-page booklet by Ann Memmott, prepared for the Church of England. Includes:

• Ten quick, low cost ways to make a difference
• Key information for educating church members about the autism spectrum
• Why autism education is important for churches
• Theological reflection
• Practical suggestions for diminishing barriers to participation
• How a church website can be helpful
• Cartoon illustrations

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. Now available to download at no charge.

Book Review by Christine Guth
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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

Book Review by Christine Guth
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Dr. Karla Kay Akins , educator, pastor, and mother of twin boys with autism, writes about 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 information about Sensory Integration (now standardized under the nomenclature of "Sensory Processing Disorders") visit ADNet's Sensory Sensitivity page.

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