Supporting autistic individuals in our churches

A new video to help churches learn how to create a more inclusive environment for autistic people has been released by the Christian disability charity Through the Roof

Through the Roof provides free support and resources through its Roofbreaker project to enable Christian disability inclusion.

Its latest video features Triona Brading, an autistic Christian who works with children with additional needs.

'Autistic people experience the world in a different way, explains Triona, Roofbreaker disability champion for Through the Roof.

'There is a myth that the [autistic] spectrum goes from less autistic to more autistic… The spectrum itself is actually more like a circle with lots of different variations and presentations.

'So it can be quite overwhelming if you’re thinking ‘How do I support someone in my church who is autistic?’'

Triona shares practical tips in the video from her own experience of autism, and encourages churches to take a fresh perspective in forming a welcoming environment for autistic people.

She covers areas such as doing a sensory audit of your church; considering how to deal with change for an autistic person (change and unpredictability can be really hard to manage); and producing an order of service, which is ' a really good accessibility accommodation'.

So while church can be a difficult and confusing place for autistic people, 'it doesn’t have to be that way,' she continues.

'The best thing you can do is talk to autistic people you know that come to your church groups and services, and see what they would like in place,' Triona concludes. 'And be an atmosphere where people can ask for things, and it's normal to be talking about how you make church an accessible place for autistic people.'

The video is the first of a series about autism and neurodiversity inclusion in the church.

The video was released ahead of Disability Awareness Sunday on 17 September.

Send a positive message to autistic people in your community this September – download Through the Roof' resources for Disability Awareness Sunday from throughtheroof.org/forchurches/disability-awareness-sunday

Through the Roof provides free support and resources through its Roofbreaker project to enable Christian disability inclusion. Find out how more at: throughtheroof.org/forchurches/roofbreakers/

Baptist Times, 12/09/2023

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