What It's Like to Have Autism: Sensory Overload

Dillan's Voice: Giving Voice to the Nonverbal

While I understand that the purpose of this video is to sell iPads, it is a moving video that gives valuable insight into what autism is life for some people. It is definitely worth watching.

The Guilt of Relief

For some families, it is possible to care for their children with autism at home with just some additional support. In other cases, the behaviours that go along with autism make such a situation impossible and there is a need to send the child to a group home.

The second scenario is our story. Twice.

Both our daughter and son ended up going into a group home, although not at the same time. Thankfully, they are now together in the same group home.

My purpose for this post is to share some insight into just one aspect of this difficult situation. There is an immediate sense of guilt when the decision is made and the child leaves the home for the first time. But there is another type of guilt that comes some time later. The family eventually feels some relief with the child out of the home.

Life becomes less hectic. The house becomes less damaged. The nights become less sleepless.

Although all of this is good, it brings its own type of guilt. Is a parent a bad person for feeling the relief of the child not being there? Whatever the answer to that question, the guilt will be there.

If you desire to support a family with autism and they have a child (or two) who leave for a group home, be aware of this dynamic. They will need you love and lack of judgment.

Getting Emotions With Aspergers

An interview with John Elder Robison, a successful person with Asperger's and his quest to experience emotions. Take a look at his books:
Look Me in the Eyes: My Life With Asperger's (USA) (Canada)
Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening (USA) (Canada)

What the Church Needs to Know About Autism - Episode 3

My Canada Includes an Extra Chromosome

This is so hard to believe. I'm a proud Canadian but this is absolutely disgusting. Here is the article that Rick Mercer refers to in the video.

How is the Church Doing With Autism Awareness?

As I write this post, it is World Autism Awareness Day (April 2). Today at a church retreat, I had a conversation with another autism parent. We were discussing about how things were going with autism awareness.

It certainly is much better. More people are aware of autism than ever before. This makes sense when the numbers go up to 1 in 68 children being diagnosed with autism. Major news networks regularly report on autism. People know that there is such a thing as autism.

Of course awareness in the general population does translate into awareness within the church. Christians now that autism exists and that it is a challenge for many families.

But is this enough?

I would suggest that churches have not done near enough. They may be autism aware, but are they autism friendly? How do churches respond when families with autism begin to attend? How do people react when a child or adult with autism gives a squawk during a worship service? Do churches understand that there is major need for ministry, not just with the person with autism, but with the parents and siblings as well?

I am thankful that I pastor a church that is autism friendly. They are not autism friendly because I'm the pastor. They got it long before they ever heard of me.

I have seen some encouraging signs in other churches. In the past number of years I have received an increasing number of messages by pastors looking for help in become more autism friendly. I love that leaders are being proactive and intentional in ministering to families with autism.

Of course there is always room for more. So today, work on the autism awareness. But then go on to build a culture of autism friendliness.

One resource I have put together is a bulletin insert on autism awareness for churches to use. You can find it on my Free Stuff page of my website.