â??My son is very fond of his junior church leader and she has done loads of little things to keep him included. Even though some of them donâ??t work, I am really heartened by her willingness to be creative and think of my son and want him to be happy in the group and to be able to contribute. He often is offered a musical instrument and is the person she asks to draw the curtains and switch off the lights. She accepts a certain level of noise from him and encourages me to contribute to the group overall. He often starts his prayers at night with thanking God for her. â?¦.It is helpful to have people who are willing to learn and understand and treat us both like human beings with feelings. Someone asked me for what they could do to make it easier for him when we went for a picnic together, and that individual approach really
helps.�

This is an example of one of the many quotes offered by people who live on the autism spectrum and their family members in Welcoming Those with Autism and Aspberger Syndrome In Our Churches And Communities. The document was published by the Anglican Diocese of Oxford.

One of the things that impresses me most about the document is the multiplicity of ways that the voices of people living on the Autism Spectrum show up in the document.

Please download the document and review it. I believe it presents may helpful tips for welcoming people on the Autism Spectrum and their families. Tips like:

The Order of service â?? really clear instructions for us e.g. where to sit, when to stand and sit, what to say at each point? Either write it down, or get someone to be with us to quietly say what to do, please. (This also helps those new to church). Different colour paper may help some to read service sheets, e.g. light blue paper rather than white.

What do you think?