Autism - Congregational Accessibility Network

Congregational Accessibility Network
(CAN)
1406 S. 14th St.
Goshen, IN 46526-4544

Phone:

(574) 383-9398

Fax: (206) 426-0258
E-mail: info@accessibilitynetwork.net
Visit our website: http://www.accessibilitynetwork.
net

Autism

Autism is an increasingly common issue in communities of faith. Issues of persons with autism being accepted or (more likely) rejected in faith communities have been reported in the secular press.

Examples:

New Jersey children with autism welcomed at Mass

Following are some beginning resources on autism and faith communities.

Interdenominational and Interfaith Resources

Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community. This publication from the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center gives a multitude of stories and examples of how faith congregations are including persons with autism. Available as a free PDF download or in paperback at minimal cost.

	Autism and Your Church is an excellent resource for Christian churches of any denomination who want to include children and adults with autism. This book is now in its second edition (with a red cover) with new material added. Autism and Alleluias is a series of reflections by a mother of a child with autism as she encounters both the joys and challenges from the perspective of her Christian faith.

Denominational Resources

Anabaptist Disabilities Network has a number of good resources on autism and Aspergers Syndrome.

Sensory sensitivity

Issues of sensory sensitivity, particularly of hyper-sensitivity are particularly common among persons with autism as well as other conditions such as ADHD and certain mental illnesses. This article gives a good introduction to these issues for communities of faith.