I stumbled upon a well researched article on how churches are failing to support families with children affected by Autism. This wasn’t surprising at all to me as I have had several encounters where I was asked to leave the congregation because my son was too loud. In fairness to other members, they have a right to a quiet enjoyment of church service. But what ends up happening to mothers like me is that we stop going to church altogether, souls that are meant for christ become lost. That was my case for a while.
When churches don’t acknowledge “Autism” and all other forms of developmental disabilities or are misinformed, they fail to accommodate. While we all need prayers and healing, the accessibility of church is of immediate importance to families with special needs, “Faith without works is dead”(James 2:15-17). Providing additional supports for example through a special needs department, signages welcoming people with disabilities in the congregation and above all, encouragement by having honest open conversations that shouldn’t further stigmatize such people as been spiritually inferior.👌🏾
The ministry of Jesus Christ is all about giving hope to the broken hearted. God loves Autistic Children and if there is one place they should not be excluded, it’s in their father’s house. Everyone has an equal right to space in church.
To my fellow Super Always Unique Totally Intelligent Sometimes Mischievous Moms, you have to be the change you want to see, advocate for your child especially in their father’s house.
Always 💕 💕 💕on my mind,
Tejuola
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