Autism and Finding Faith in Church
Oct 14, 2015
Dear Sister in Christ,
Navigating church life with a child with autism is an adventure like no other! Our delightful Nathan once serenaded our congregation with a spontaneous, "Goodnight! Don't let the frost-bite bite" (from the movie Frozen) during our worship meeting, captivating the entire room. While we may stand out, we also bring smiles to our fellow worshipers.
Taking children with autism to church, however, has had its challenges. I can still vividly recall the days when keeping Jacob from escaping our pew felt like a high-stakes game of football, where my husband and I had to be swift defenders.
Here are some valuable lessons we've learned on our journey to help children with autism embrace the routine of church life:
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COME TO CHURCH PREPARED: Every Sunday, we arrived at church armed with a bag filled with toys, snacks, and practically everything short of the kitchen sink. Being well-prepared means having that bag ready the night before, even when you're exhausted from a long week. Jacob and Nathan also carried little backpacks filled with fidget toys or stickers to keep them engaged during their Sunday School classes.
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ESTABLISH A ROUTINE AND STICK TO IT: Just like typical children, kids on the autism spectrum thrive on routines. During challenging moments, I would question why I persisted with the effort, especially when it seemed like I wasn't gaining much from the meetings. However, I realized that taking a tantrum-throwing 3-year-old out of a service was far easier than handling a 16-year-old with similar behavior. I was determined that establishing a consistent pattern for my kids and myself was essential. I held on to the hope that it would eventually get easier, and I wanted my children to connect with God, even if they were on the autism spectrum. Over time, it did get better, week by week, month by month, and year by year.
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SEEK HELP AND BE PERSISTENT: It's crucial to reach out to others for assistance and teachings in their Sunday School classes. Our congregations were filled with people who gladly lent a hand, including special teachers for my boys. They had special bags filled with fidget toys and entertaining items, making their "class time" more manageable. The dedicated teachers created strong bonds with my boys, and I am grateful to have shared my kids with others. Despite the challenges, I wouldn't change those younger years for anything. Our persistence paid off, and now, my boys sit fairly quietly with their typical siblings during services, albeit with the occasional singing outburst from Nathan.
So, if you need a dose of inspiration at church, come sit with us. You never know what joyful tune Nathan might serenade you with next.
With persistence and faith,
Tamara K. Anderson
