Autistic Christians

[Justmerach]

I am just posting in this forum to let some of you know who perhaps might be neurodiverse and autistic that I created a post in the neurodiverse section. I wrote about in this forum how this community had great meaning to me being diagnosed as such myself and a Christian. Now, I have written autistic in the heading as that is what the myth exists around this that autistics cannot do religion basically or was in the past I should say.I do not if other neurodiverse communities have that myth to like ADHD which I do not have myself.

Things are beginning to change with work that has shown that autistics may have increased sensory experiences and is potentially possible through the Holy Spirit. All that is contained in the thread I posted.

I will say in this thread that what I wrote is open to everyone of all faiths. I had to write it like that in a thread that is not in a Christian section and everyone is free to make up their own mind up, I the writer though am Christian and there is Christian content in the post.

If you are not autistic or neurodiverse you may find it interesting as well and pick anything up you may have not heard before. Perhaps you may share with us what I have not heard before to.

Post how you like if you feel like it, I don't need to say more on this here, but I am not into confrontational going on's online.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/neurodiverse_mumsnetters/5248610-time-of-change-of-thought-on-spirituality-and-autism

Interesting discussion, and as with any other challenge, Christians who are diagnosed with being on the neurodivergence spectrum will be better placed to understand and minister to others living a similar experience. The Holy Spirit ministers to each according to need. Give praise and thanks with a grateful heart to Him in all our circumstance 🙏 I know many Christian disciples who are ‘on the spectrum’ and their presentation and challenges, and gifts, are as unique to them, as they are uniquely themselves.

Borrowed from Got Questions: “We know that we are intricately connected to spiritual reality. Neurodivergence is not simply a brain difference or an impulse challenge to manage without thought of its spiritual impact. Those on the spectrum need the gospel and discipleship as much as those without it. Believers who are neurodiverse are in no way lesser. All who are in Christ, regardless of background or cultural distinction, are children of God through faith (Gal 3:26-29). The Holy Spirit indwells all who have trusted in Christ (Rom 8:9-17). He helps believers know, love, and obey God. The Holy Spirit also provides comfort in our hardships (Rom 8:18-30). All believers have access to God in prayer and are exhorted to pray regularly Phil 4:4-8; 1Thess 5:17; Heb 4:14-16). Believers with neurodiversity are by no means alone!” Praise God!

Very good post Thegreatestoftheseislove, I am assume you are talking about modern day disciples when you mention that you know of disciples who are autistic.

Nicodemus in the New Testatment was thought to be autistic who was a friend of Jesus. I have also heard that Paul some people belief that he had a neurodiversity as well.

The Saint Thomas Thorak some people think he was autistic and some pepople via him for their autism to be conscreated. Although there was diagnosing tool back then and he is not diagnosed. That came in 1980 for autistm and then 1994 for aspergers but the two merged in recent history.

It is a spectrum but a lot of cases you hear tend to high functioning. It can be nice to hear from moderate and severe cases as well. God surely knows how to communicate with his children.

I was in a group last week on the Bible stories and it was for people with autism and learning disabilites. People with learning disabilites were grappling the Bible and being taught it as well. There are Bible's as well aimed at dual community.

Growing up, I lived with undiagnosed ADHD, which made my childhood and teenage years feel like an unpredictable roller coaster ride. I often struggled with life’s challenges, not understanding why certain things were more difficult for me than they seemed to be for others. In my 20s, I became a Christian, which brought a sense of purpose and hope to my life. However, my journey within the church was not without its difficulties. I faced challenges being fully accepted by the community I was a part of, which added a layer of difficulty to my spiritual growth. It took about two years of going back and forth, wrestling with doubts, seeking belonging, and adjusting my life before I found stability and truly felt grounded in my faith and church life.

Thank you for sharing Mobility Cat.

We have to remember as well that everyone has their issues. In the church family itself I go to I had this Christmas with them for lunch about around of 3 hours joy,laughter and sometimes just like family life.

In that room it was full of diverse people and begin to see signs of normality. No names so I can say. I know someone who attended who has mental health issues with depression That is what they are dealing with and perhaps more, they haven't told me. A man who sat next to me was fascinating but as an autistic with quite severe sensory needs he was speaking very elevated and I recognised this a sign of potential autism at times.. So I asked them after this continued as I was beginning to struggle. Are you autistic.They didn't understand me and said they were in fact very hard of hearing in one ear. After that it made perfect sense and I tried to them more grace as I understood. We was like polar on that end as I find it hard to bear noise like that. There condition can be their strenght as well as all conditions can give strenght as well. The person with depression may become deeply understanding of the human condition.

I could go round the room the ask everyone. I don't have to list more.

We all had our loads.

I found another article yesterday and these things are not easy to read by any means for me. I linked to two in the other thread.

Here is another article of polar views perhaps, I haven't tully read it yet but somewhere in all three articles the truth will surely emerge on the subject.
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/sigs/spirituality-spsig/spirituality-special-interest-group-publications-quinton-deeley-cognitive-style-spirituality-and-religious-understanding.pdf?sfvrsn=178e931_2

Lol, I was going to post a picture but I won't as they will laugh at the thread but I will here.I said I do this in that thread sit on the end pew and always looking for my seat but it not mine right, just a need for likeness and something. Someone took the photo and I wasn't aware and they sent it to me and there I was on the end like other people too funny.

We can take the laugh becuase I know that not all sitting on the end have autism by any means lol.

Lets take the laugh in this thread.

My rector at church highlighted to me two Bible aids one for autism and one for learning disabilities.

They explained the one first seemed to be more aimed at people with a learning disability rather than autism.

The second Bible aid that my rector pointed said that the accessible Bible study has a focus on what can be helpful for autism. I actually ordered this and got it yesterday but haven't had a chance to look through it myself yet.

1. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135285912768?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ul1-j-dustq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=&var=&widgetver=artemis&media=COPY

2. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inclusive-Faith-Accessible-Special-Learning/dp/B0DHBFXK3Z

There is also a inclusiveonlineactivities website that has a free Bible Tales group and worship group. It is aimed at those more with a learning disability but people with autism are free to join as well. The worship group is not a choir, you just say hi and listen to them play music on mute.
https://www.inclusiveonlineactivities.com/

Thank you for sharing this! It sounds like your rector has pointed you towards some thoughtful resources. It’s really helpful that there are Bible aids and groups designed to make faith accessible for those with learning disabilities and autism. The Bible aid focused on autism that you’ve ordered sounds particularly interesting when you get a chance to explore it, it might offer you some valuable insights and approaches to studying Scripture.The Inclusive Online Activities website also sounds like a welcoming space, especially for those who prefer to engage at their own comfort level. It’s nice that they’ve created an environment where participation is flexible, and people can just listen and feel included.
!

Thank you for the reply PilgriminProgress. I thought I had already replied to you

Today I read something on autism forum in the religious section that someone else posted. The introduction they posted was very allogorical full of picturing things and imagination and like poetry. I just couldn't make head or tail what it was about so gave up.

This is some of the parables I may struggle with although I am certain there are many which are fine but when it can be high in description I might flounder. When my dad goes into his philosophial things I don't like it from an early age.

I tend to veer towards the facts and details of the matter.

I can tend to take things seriously at times so if I read something may take it on like it could be happening to me depending what it is and then be begging in prayers to stop it.

Some things can also move my hypersensitivity like demons at times can take it to another level.

I love the Bible though.

Of late I have been taking a blanket to church and always my defenders although a silent service and I have a small fidgit in my pocket if I need it.

Another thing I encounter is people to me with too much speed I cannot take in what they say. So having a sermon sheet is very useful to me at our church and feel calm knowing of the order.

Another thing at times I disturbed by my conditions and I cannot speak so just cannot relay the entire sheet sometimes.

I sent an email to my cosultant today. In 2022 I wrote a witness journey about my faith. The point of it was to reach those with a neurodiversity autism and also not exlcude anyone. I didn't know some people would with an eating disorder reach them so it wasn't so much for them. I have both conditions. My gift seemed to stem from my autism if anything and not my eating disorder. My witness account was about showing what God has done for me.. I discussed about how things were today and there had been a process for me to settle at the church I am today.

You go to some autistics forums and people who long left the church if they ever once tried it open up threads about the church like they could be interested and years no movement an vouched athesit they are, no judging seems bit pointless. Christian comes yes I have difficulties almost like a club to say yes I am autistic I have this as all join in. Even with resolved stuff say you have been having it like to join in. Then you will toss it up if I don't say this some may think i've never had any difficulties right and may what about if someone to learn how to help and you've cleared yours but you have a consious to God who is always watching.

I updated my testimony to add this below today-

To make this clear so yes, I have experienced difficulties as an autistic in a different church with a different style of worship just less than 10 minutes away from me in my area. The services I both attended I must say were both extremely good. It is just the one I attend now is more critically suited to my needs as an individual who has autism also. The worship style is more suited to me so therefore I do not need to expand on those difficulties that I have resolved in my search to settle at the church that is right for me today more than two years on.

We are a body of Christ and can go between different churches to settle at the right church for us and I have found the right place for me now and I am extremely comfortable and it wpuld not be God honouring to focus resolved difficulties I once had.

I have further needs in communication and limited imagination and if any doubt I cam discuss with my church leadership and others using their gifts to explain to ms and the situation then becomes understood and I have discovered autistic study guides and groups online Zoom. God has equipped me to cope which has circumvented my weaknesses and shone a light into what strengths he has given to sustain me in my journey and that is what I must focus and expand on. I have found ways to manage my difficulties sufficiently.
racheltestimony.blogspot.com/

Just to let you know this week on Songs of Praise as it Autism awareness week the theme is on Neurodiversity and I will be watching.

Hi, I tried to post this above and I think they didn’t like a link.

I wanted to say as an autistic overwhelming for some when it happens they think it can set them back and it can even put them of. Being diagnosed helps me with this to not withdraw if it happens. God helps me with it to if it clearly not my doing. I can feel the Holy Spirit presence in when in a greater need if God send this to me till to help me normalise myself.

Now, some people can have meltdowns and some get so frustrated to do things they wouldn’t and end up blaming themselves. God understands and Psalm 139 may help with this.

I myself had this question and went looking for the answer if your conditions can make you less blameless before God. As my autism can lower my standards at times..

Answer, with God’s mercy and grace-
If your body experiences involuntary conditions or actions that express harsh words or thoughts—without your personal belief or intent—those are not counted because of God’s mercy.

Remember, God looks at the heart and understands our struggles beyond mere words.

Also the wisdom serenity prayer may help you to forgive yourself if you acted in a way that you didn’t want to when in a situation that was difficult because of your condition and it is not your fault, but sometimes you need to address a fault if it may be there, but not always in what you are doing to modify things or do more sensory work etc to avoid this.

I have pasted the pray below-

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
reinhold niebuhr (1892-1971)

That's a great prayer @Justmerach

@Justmerach I love the Serenity Prayer. 🙏