Learning disabilities
Autism
"Is God in my radiator?"
Jane Fisher, Director of the Safeguarding and Inclusion Department, said: "This was the question that greeted me, asked by a friend's six year old son. Chris has autism and had been told at Sunday School 'that God is everywhere', hence the question.
"I knew if I said ‘No, God isn’t in the radiator’ he would then declare that God wasn’t everywhere. However, if I said, ‘yes, God is in the radiator’, Chris was likely to follow this line of thinking to ‘is God in the bath, sink, car petrol tank etc.’ And, every time he saw a radiator, he was like to run up to it and say, ‘Hello God’.
What is autism? There has been a lot in the press over recent years about autism and possible causes. Some years ago the film Rainman brought autism to public attention. More recently the film Snowcake has also explored issues with autism.
Autism affects the way a person communicates and relates to the world and people around them. They can experience:
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difficulty in making friendships / relationships
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difficulty in understand others’ feelings
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difficulty in communicating
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the inability to read body language and facial expressions
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the lack of imagination or abstract thought
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difficulty in coping with change
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obsessions or obsessive behaviour
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a tendency to take things literally
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the possibility of ritualistic behaviour.
Some people with autism have other learning disabilities, but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.
Jane Fisher added: "In case you are wondering, my answer was ‘If God wanted to be in the radiator, then yes of course He could be, but I’m sure He would much rather be out here with you’ - which seemed to satisfy Chris."
Tips for making church more accessible for people with autism
People with autism:
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can take things literally. So say literally what you mean. For example, don’t say ‘take a seat’, say ’sit down’
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can be good at predicting consequences. So help them to think through the consequences of actions or words
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do not like change, because of difficulties with predicting outcomes. Take time to explain any chages in time, venue, layout, etc and don’t suddenly ’spring things’ on to the person
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can find it difficult making friends or initiating social interaction. You need to make an extra effort to include them in social activities, and don’t feel hurt when they do not respond as would be expected
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including those with Asperger's Syndrome, need plenty of love and acceptance. They are particularly vulnerable to depression.
Do not forget the family with an autistic child. Ask the family to explain how autism affects the child and the family, and how you can best provide support.
The Department runs training courses to increase awareness about the issues faced by people living with autism and can provide advice as a starting point for churches.