ASD & Religion, Part 4: Being A Leader

Faith is an important cornerstone of most civilizations. Religion is, for many families, an integral part of their personal and cultural identity, and the foundation of their values and perspectives. The presence of a person with autism in a family can change how they interact with their religious community.

Many places of worship have established disability services, including classrooms, paraprofessionals, special services (the religious kind, not the resources kind), community events, and an established core of families with extensive experience with disabilities who can provide support to each other.

The ASD & Religion blog series is designed to guide faith leaders and places of worship to help make their communities a safe and accessible place for people with autism and the loved ones in their lives. We seek to lower barriers, promote inclusion, and spread awareness.

You, as a religious leader, are a pillar of your community. Families with loved ones with disability look to you to create a safe environment for them that facilitates their relationship with the holy, and that includes their loved ones with autism.

Here are some suggestions to help you when interacting with these families:

• Be a listener

• Be available

• Notify ushers/greeters/hosts to be prepared and to quietly assist as needed

• Praise all cooperative or desirable behavior

• Ignore behaviors that appear different (unusual or excessive movement, unexpected vocalizations, inappropriate words)

• Make sure the family has the option to remove their loved one if they are unable to calm themselves and are starting to be too disruptive to the service

• Notice when anxiety is increasing

• Encourage caregivers to help redirect, reassure, and restore calm to their loved one

• Remember, sooner or later, everyone calms down

• Model the caring behavior you want to see

  • Use a quiet, calm voice free of criticism or yelling

  • Move slowly and communicate in short, clear statements

  • Minimize touch

  • Accept the level of interaction the person with ASD is comfortable giving you

    • Do not push for things like hugs or eye contact

As always, get out there and do good.