Autism: Resources – Enabling
Below is a selection of materials that will provide support for a continuing process of dialogue and learning aimed at improving the engagement between autistic worshippers and their churches.
‘Autistic Thinking in the Life of the Church’ by Stewart Rapley
Stewart has recently published this book. It explores the cognitive aspect of autism, how this influences the way that autistic people may think about their faith and what this means for their engagement with their churches. The book provides a practical and positive framework for establishing a local approach to these issues.
The book draws upon the research that Stewart conducted as part of his MA Dissertation and can be purchased at SCM Press and Amazon.
MA Dissertation by Stewart Rapley
The impact of autistic cognitive distinctives on conception of God and interpretation of the sacred texts of the western Christian tradition: Implications for the cognitive engagement of high-functioning autistic adults within church
Being a person with autism in church
Stewart’s thoughts on Matthew 10: 40-42. This homily was part of a St James & Emmanuel recorded service on 28 June 2020. The passage is introduced by Nick Bundock and read by Ruth Wilde, the National Coordinator for Inclusive Church.
Further Church support resources relating to autism
The inclusion of the following material does not imply any ‘approval’ or ‘theological sanction’ of the content. Only resources that are considered of appropriate quality will be posted, but this does not imply a vetting of the content for ‘correctness’.
Items will be posted because they have been found helpful by someone – usually a member of the group. They are here for you to look at and sometimes agree with and sometimes disagree with. In this way, we are able to develop our understanding through a process of challenge and growth.
Webinar
Podcast
Spirituality
There are lots of ‘valid’ ways to be spiritual and these are explored at rootsontheweb.com
Hermeneutics
An introduction to hermeneutics: For those mystified by the use of complicated Greek words to describe ordinary things that we all do.
Aspergers from the Inside
Visit the Aspergers from the Inside Youtube channel
Orthodox Christians who are on the spectrum
Michael R. Lado: How My Faith and Autism Activism Go Hand in Hand
Summer Kinard: Words in Season
General Interest
The Safety and Health Practioner website has some interesting research into the needs of neurodiverse people in the context of large public events.
Why everything you know about autism is wrong
This TED talk by autistic academic Jac den Houting compares the ‘medical model’ and ’social model’ understandings of autism.
Stewart Rapley shares about his book Autistic Thinking in the Life of the Church at a webinar at Aberdeen University Centre for Autism and Theology. The book is based on qualitative research in which Stewart explores the distinctive thinking of autistic people in relation to aspects of faith and church engagement.
A conversation with Stewart Rapley (National Autistic Society) and Dr Joanna Leidenhag (University of Leeds) on Autism, Theology, and Life in the Church, exploring Christian theology and practical lived-church issues. We consider questions which include: Are churches welcoming places for the autistic and otherwise neurodiverse? Should reflections on autism impact how we view and talk about God? What does it mean to be a person?
Brian McLaren – heretic? Note the power of pre-conceived paradigms and the reference to ‘boundary maintenance’.
Humanity’s ultimate origin: A discussion between Rowan Williams and Richard Dawkins. Note the ‘God’ that Dawkins does not believe in versus the ‘God’ that Williams does believe in.
Interesting books
 | The Aspie Guide to Being Safe with Men Debi Brown |
 | Safeguarding Autistic Girls: Strategies for Professionals Carly Jones |
 | Speaking Christian – Recovering the Lost Meaning of Christian Words Marcus Borg |
 | Autism and the Church Grant Macaskill |
 | Autistic Thinking – This is the title Peter Vermeulen |
 | Autism as Context Blindness Peter Vermeulen |
 | The Meaning of Jesus NT Wright and Marcus Borg (a dialogue) |
 | What would Jesus Deconstruct? John Caputo |
 | Neurotribes Steve Silberman |
 | The Pattern Seekers Simon Baron-Cohen |
 | An Employer’s Guide to Managing Professionals on the Autism Spectrum Marcia Scheiner (Integrate Autism Employment Advisors) with Joan Bogden (Author) |
 | Autism in Adults (Overcoming Common Problems) Luke Beardon |
 | Helping You to Identify and Understand Autism Masking: The Truth Behind the Mask Emma Kendall |
 | How to read the Bible for all its worth Gordon D Fee and Douglas Stuart |
Useful links
Listed links are not endorsements
Making spaces more inclusive for neurodivergent people
Supporting autistic individuals in our churches
Welcoming and Including Autistic People in our Churches and Communities
How to Include Autistic Children and Young People in Church
Symbol for autism
The rainbow infinity symbol is widely used to represent the diversity of the autism spectrum and the image shown is in the public domain.
Page updated: 17 August 2020