About Aspergers and testimony

[Guest guest]

If little children were educated about the differences of people from the start then I think it would help them relate better to people with disabilities. I have seen one elementary school here that has a theme for the month that each class goes over it... such as being kind to others or just the word "respect" or whatever concept. I like that a lot. I was told it is actually taught in the classes.

I was active in a church when I didn't have any children but when I gave birth to my son then the church people didn't know how to act. I wanted Sunday school for my then 5 year old because he didn't fit in with the regular kids the way they taught the class. My son was quite hyper and was learning to cope with noises and children around him. The pastor decided to ask a Psychiatrist in the congregation if he had suggestions. All the man could say was that he could do an assessment of my son and see what he could suggest. That made me angry. And, he never actually offered to me to do anything. I just left the church.

Later I went to a local Lutheran church and asked if they could help me with a Sunday school class. A girl who was majoring in Special Education took on the challenge and I think did a pretty good job, so I think a church just has to be willing to try and educate children or adults with autism.

My son got pretty violent later on and ended up in a private institution paid for by the school district. It was many years later when he calmed down that I was finally able to take him to church. He is age 36 now with language difficulties and lacks in social skills and emotion. However, when he comes home then I take him to church and it is a small church. Everyone understands and accepts him. He likes going there too!

I think large churches can often be overwhelming. We are lucky to have 30 at church on Sunday.

What I have found is that some churches tend to be very judgmental. I think there is probably the right church out there if you keep looking. We have an adult Asperger in our church who has tried a number of churches and decided that ours is right for him.

I have visited churches that would run my life if I let them. That is not what I would want.

People with autism and aspergers face a challenge on a daily basis. That is why I started a group where they can gather in a quiet place and talk to each other. An 8th grader happens to be there and they enjoy her company.

Martha