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)

A wealth of resources on autism has the particular needs of faith communities in mind. Explore some of the possibilities below. See also ADNet's Asperger Syndrome page.

Autism Resources from ADNet

Teaching Tip: Puppets and Children with Autism , by Maria Witmer-Rich. This article was included in ADNet's July 2012 issue of Connections Newsletter.

"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 with Autism - complete article
• Suggestions for an introductory flyer to introduce a child with autism to the congregation
• Autism inclusion in Sunday School classes and youth groups

Training DVDs from CLC Network

Autism: A Christian Response

Presented by Barbara J. Newman. Produced by CLC Network. 55 minutes. This session will explore God's "knitting pattern" for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders, discuss som of the differences you might see, and give you some practical tools for inclusion of children and adults with ASD in the life of your church. Order from CLC Network.

Behavior Management Playing Field

Presented by Barbara J. Newman. Produced by CLC Network. 55 minutes. Explore strategies you can implement surrounding behavior management issues in your home or church. By the end, your idea tool box will be over-flowing! Order from CLC Network.

Inclusion Tool Box: 52 Practical Ideas to Include Individuals with Disabilities

Presented by Barbara J. Newman. Produced by CLC Network. 55 minutes. With some modifications, teachers, volunteers and mentors can implement low-cost tools to best support children and youth who struggle with attending, interpreting sensory input, reading, and writing -- enabling them to experience the full life of their church, while also utilizing their gifts. Order from CLC Network.

Make Heaven a Noisier Place: Including Children with Disabilities

Presented by Barbara J. Newman. Produced by CLC Network. 55 minutes. The most important and powerful key to including children with disabilities is giving God-honoring information to peers and volunteers. Learn practical strategies for preparing your congregation ot eagerly receive those with disabilities into the body of Christ. Order from CLC Network.

Now back in print - in English or Spanish!

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 families who responded to an autism and faith survey. Order hard copy for $5 or download a PDF for free. Hard copy is free to residents of New Jersey.

Book Review by Christine Guth

Revised 2011 edition

A new chapter offers tips on responding to challenging behaviors

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
Order this book

Autism and Your Church Training DVD by Barbara Newman produced by Faith Alive Christian Resources

Additional Autism Resources

Autism & Children’s Ministry, a recorded introductory Webinar for Ministry Leaders & Volunteers, hosted by Nella Uitvlugt, Executive Director, Friendship Ministries.

Making Room
Mike Woods, father of triplet boys on the autism spectrum, autism spectrum and inclusion specialist and person of faith, shares articles and audio downloads to  encourage and support churches that make room for families affected by the autism spectrum. He writes,

"Making room" is one of the signs of true Christian community.  It is not only to open one's door and one's church to someone.  It is to make room in one's heart.  Making room for that person to be and to grow;  where that person knows that he or she is accepted just as they are, with their gifts and their faults. 

Visit Making Room

Blog: Rhema's Hope

"Autism in a Word. Two little girls, Rhema and Hope. Rhema has autism and a seizure disorder. Here we share their story and what God is teaching us on the journey."

Making Sense of Autism: Two twenty-eight minute television episodes produced by Joni and Friends. Episode 1: Dispelling the myths. Episode 2: How can the church support families with autism? How can including individuals with autism bless the church?

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

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.

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.