B5-E Autism in the Religious Community: Welcoming, Integrating, and Involving Families Impacted by ASD into Faith Communities

January 19, 2025 10:15am 11:30am Legacy North 2

Communities of faith can be wonderfully supportive environments for families impacted by ASD. However, research suggest that these families often feel unwelcomed by their local houses of worship. This presentation will examine the attitudes and practical hinderances that prevent welcoming, integrating, and involving ASD individuals and families. It will explore how the various models of disability (moral, medical, and social) lead to assumptions about ASD that drive isolation and how they can be addressed. Also, practical issues related to the setting and seating of many gathering spaces will be addressed. A dialogue on these issues breaks down barriers, aiding ASD family’s access to faith communities.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants will understand the implicit barriers faith communities unknowingly establish.

2. Participants will identify assumptions resulting from the models of disability and articulate how they can isolate ASD families from faith communities.

3. Participants will gain practical tools for accessing the environment of faith communities to better include people with sensory disorders.”

All Family Health & Wellness

Speakers

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