If I speak about autism inclusion, but do not love autistic individuals and their families, I am only making noise in a field full of noise. If I have all the knowledge about autism, but do not listen and embrace the perspectives of autistic individuals, and do not express a desire to love them for who they are, then I have failed to be the church. If I build sensory rooms, create autistic-friendly worship spaces, and boast about how inclusive the church has become without involving the perspectives of actual autistics, I have not loved, but have only listened to the needs of those who find autism as a distraction.
Loving the autistic person requires a listening heart. It does not seek to diminish the person’s perspective, but considers their needs, desires, and perspectives for the church. It honors the autistic person as a child of God, and does not get angry or defensive when someone expresses how the church has failed to show love. Love does not separate the autistic from others, but finds a way to include them in every aspect of the church’s life together. Love seeks to understand, find common connections, and is willing to keep connecting with the community even when it is hard.
Love never gives up on an autistic person and their families.
Where there are sensory rooms as the only focus of inclusion, it will fail to be a truly welcoming place. Where there are only words of acceptance, but no true actions of love, the church will fail to be a loving witness of faith to the community. Where the church leans on false perspectives of autism or focuses only on behaviors, it will harm its outreach and connection to others.
There was a time when I did not know everything about autism. I spoke like one who thought I understood but I spoke without perspective and understanding. When I surrounded myself with the perspectives of actual autistics and embraced them, I grew in my knowledge and my love for those who often feel unwelcome by the church. Working together, we can be a living reflection of grace and love expressed to autistics, their families, and, equally with every person.
Three things are essential to autism inclusion: acceptance, understanding, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Shannon Blosser 