Hi everyone an interesting topic for sure.
I was diagnosed with autism a few years ago now. Of course I have always had it since a child. My sensory was severe as a child and I got into bother with it and it looked like naughty behaviour at times, but it was just my sensory that people didn’t know about. I was tested by ADOS and in some scores scored moderate level 2 autism. I have attached my scores for my sensory. I wrote as well that although it was tested at 2 that I was not on top form so to say and feel I go higher than lets say for sure lol.
Anyway, it has been said and thought to be true by many for a long time that people who are autistic many find it hard to believe in God and have a religion because of a need for evidence and a need for logical explanations for things. This is due to Theory of mind.
I have always had an interest in religion. I have my own faith but I wouldn't call it a special interest but it is the most important interest in my life to me. I am very sensory and have been gifted and graced in this area which has probably strengthened my faith. Therefore, circumventing some of those weaknesses probably. I have been equipped to cope and I think everyone is possible of this in their own ways. Surely a creator would equip people to cope differently. Although, I had my faith before I knew I was equipped to cope, it may have helped me to cope and hang on.
I have read of some accounts by autistics who haven't mentioned these gifts, so I don't know where they stand with them. Perhaps though as well their weaknesses may not be around this area and they may be equipped to cope differently, but I think they are equipped to cope.
Also, there is new research that shows that autistics have something different. Research by Ingela Visuri in 2018 found that autistics have increased somasensory perceptions which lead to increased supernatural experiences. See below for basically in a nutshell was they argued-
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2153599X.2018.1548374
“non-autistic group participants, and current research suggests that unusual somatosensory experiences are prevalent in the autistic population. Attribution of invisible agency is understood as a sense-making coping strategy, and it is argued that esoteric content in fantasy literature, movies and computer games explain why these young adults prefer to attribute agency to ghosts, spirits and demons, rather than god(s). The study thereby extends and challenges the study of autism and religiosity by exploring the intersection between autistic embodiment and encultured cognition”.
More research later in Autism and Religion in 2023 found the below-
“We dispute the assumption that individuals with ASD are inherently less religious and spiritual than the neurotypical population. Religiosity is possibly expressed differently in ASD with unique spiritual experiences and beliefs (“gifted, visionary, and truth-seeker”).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10453845/
Also, if interested in the topic of spirituality I would suggest you look at the Youtube videos of David Derbyshire. He is diagnosed with autism himself and used to do a group on Zoom on Spirituality which I found so interesting and a good time passer. They are easy to listen to and I sat in myself in the groups they took. The videos are on the gifs of the Spirit and neurodiversity and the sensitives that we have.
There are several autistics who have documented their experience with their faith. I can only say those I know and they will be Christian as I am a Christian. I have written my account on my faith which can be read here, but it is not to be debated in this thread. I have written on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and my journey to today. https://racheltestimony.blogspot.com/
There are many more Christian autistics who have written about their autism and religion. Top of my head Miya Sae and Hugo Ross who is a Christian scientist and autistic. There are many more as wel. Of course there are books written by autistics who discuss their fait to like by Daniel Bowman called On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity.
Of course other groups will have their experiences as well.
I have noticed though that more ethnic groups do not talk much about autism online or at least don't mention it and we shouldn't have to, but so less will be written which will include their autism and religious experience/spiritual experience.
I will add though there are books on children, faith and autism, just one is called the God connection. The book is seeming to claim that children with autism have a special connection for spiritual experiences. I read that some parents contacted the author and gave accounts of their children speaking at home secluded in their rooms to an unknown. I am just the giver of information and I am not here to give my take on that.
If useful perhaps take something from this, if not drop it. We are a neurodiverse bunch with our own loads so lets treat each other respectfully.