Autism Conference for Clergy and Lay Leaders
Faith is an important part of life and many families of children with ASD can begin to feel disconnected from their faith community for a variety of reasons. This workshop will help clergy members gain insight into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), what it looks like, how the challenges can affect individuals and their families, and how to make these families feel welcome and comfortable at their place of worship.
Church can be a challenging place for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. ASD is defined by deficits in the areas of socialization and language, as well as by restrictive and repetitive behavior. The manifestations of ASD make many families feel the need to retreat from their place of worship and their faith just when they need them the most. This conference will give clergy of all faith and denominations the information needed to make places of worship more welcoming to those with autism. Specifically, it will cover:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder – its signs and symptoms
- Challenges faced by individuals with ASD and their families in the physical setting of the church
- How to interact with special needs families
- Strategies for engaging children and adults with ASD within the church and community
- Strategies for including children and adults with ASD in the sacraments
- Strategies for creating welcoming special needs programs and services and what they might look like
This conference is open to all clergy as well as lay leaders and religious education staff (CCD staff, and Sunday School staff, etc.)
