[Alex Murphy]

Did you know that the percentage of Americans with red hair is roughly equal to the percentage of 8-year-old boys diagnosed with autism? I think it’s fair to say that statistically speaking, a children’s ministry should have the same number of participating boys with autism as with red hair. That’s pretty sobering. People would go nuts (justifiably) if families of redheaded kids had to figure out which churches were “redhead friendly”. The reality is that this same scenario is happening now for families of kids with autism. While many churches are working to become special needs-friendly, there is room for improvement....Up to now, it’s been an accepted norm that not all churches could or should accommodate kids with autism and other special needs. (And I share in my book that not all churches can accommodate to the same degree.) But times are a changin. It is no longer acceptable for any church to be unaware of and unprepared to welcome families with special needs. Every church needs a plan for inclusion. And the best place to start is by hiring a special needs-friendly family ministry leader.

[circlecity]

Interesting the author doesn’t cite a single of a Church turning away a child specifically for the reason of “autism”.

[jettester]

No, not every church needs to come up with an “inclusion plan” whatever that is. And children with red hair are not the same as children with autism - no matter how much you want us to believe that. Should a church turn away a family with an autistic child - no, but in no way are all churches equipped to handle special-needs children the same either. Find a church that has been led by God to reach out to these kids, but please do not force your views on everyone else.

[Boowhoknew]

can we talk? No special ed classes for autistics, but free tuition for hispanics just because. But the child is encouraged to go to the weekly religious classes.
But as far as church he is o.k., because I disciplined him to behave in church when young.
The previous pastor did not like being in the same room , vestibule, or church with my son. May have had to do with the fact we weren’t wealthy. But the middle of road Irish priest we have now is fine.During previous regime we went to the Chapel on base, (when they had a chapel on the Navy Base).

[dangus]

Some nits to pick: the stats used for autism are actually those used for Autism Spectrum Disorders, including Asperger’s Syndrome, which is far, far, far more common than Autism. In fact, it’s diagnoses of ASD which are exploding, not Autism.

[vpintheak]

What a load! Sorry, a Church isn’t required to bend over to accomidate everylittle thing like libs want public schools.to.do. 1st mission is to preach the gospel, the rest is all fluff!

[JoeFromSidney]

Having red hair doesn't lead to disruptive behavior. Some conditions, including severe autism, can lead to disruptive behavior. The author's attempted analogy is completely false. However, given a large enough congregation, the odds are that there will be a few autistic children among the families. Some accommodation may need to be made for them. When I was in college I used to help baby-sit in the "cry room." We had a lot of families in the parish with young children. Accommodating them was a helpful service.

[Tax-chick]

In St. Paul’s analogy of the body, he mentions that, with the physical body, we clothe with greater honor the parts that are “less presentable.” I think it’s a reasonable interpretation of this point to say that the church, in its component congregations, should understand that the “least presentable” - babies, the infirm, the disabled - are to be treated with special care.

I think this means that every congregation should make an effort to meet the needs of all. If that means accommodating a family with an autistic child, a good-faith effort should be made.

[redgolum]

Something that needs to be handled delicately.

The other issue is that in some towns, there isn’t another parish or congregation.

[mlizzy]

When I was losing my hearing, I came to the stage where I needed help at Mass (I already had an aid but some church speakers are a lot better than others), and I mentioned it to a priest to not much avail, however, we eventually happened upon a church with headphones. But because of bacteria, etc., not many wanted to "share" them, plus they were not of the best quality to begin with, so they eventually took them out.

Another issue: scents! As women (and men) grow older, their sense of smell, I think, diminishes, and the older parishioners at our [wealthy] parish were applying perfumes with a hose. Since I was sensitive to chemicals at that time, I spent MANY a Mass outdoors, coming in for Communion only. Then, lo and behold, our Church delegated a few pews in a corner for the scent-sensitive, but they are no longer being used as such.

So in regard to autism, if there isn't space for a cry room, or an additional cry room for the more challenged kids, I wish them the best of luck!

[Fast Moving Angel]

The Church should reach out to these families, fine, but the parents should likewise have the tact and consideration to make use of the crying rooms if their child is known to become upset or disruptive, or cannot sit quietly through the entire service (that goes for non-disabled children as well). That way, everyone is accommodated.