| Bringing a family to worship at church with an autistic | | | | some of the sounds of the music that might be played, |
| child could present a challenge for the family as well as | | | | whether it is an organ, choir, orchestra, the bells, |
| the child. The first day of the week, which is Sunday, is | | | | chimes, or if the music will be played by a CD. If the |
| usually a time to gather together and worship at a | | | | officiating person has a CD of one of his or hers, past |
| church or a place of your choice and day. | | | | sermons or talks, ask if you can have one and take it |
| If the family wants to attend a place of worship on the | | | | home to the autistic individual, play it to get familiar with |
| day they choose with their family, it can be done in a | | | | what is said and the tone of voice. |
| positive way with an autistic child. One thing to | | | | Show your child where you and the family will be |
| remember, churches or buildings to worship at, can be | | | | sitting. It may be in pew, chairs, benches, or standing |
| strange looking to an autistic individual from the outside | | | | with a group. Allow them to see the hymnal, the pages |
| as well as the inside. | | | | and let them know it is a singing book. If there are |
| Children with autism, depending on the degree or | | | | candles present in front of the sanctuary, tell the child |
| variations of the disorder, may be intimidated with the | | | | with the autistic disorder, that they are candles for light. |
| inside of the churches or worship places, due to the | | | | There may be stained glass windows in the worship |
| fact of the different sounds, such as the organ music, | | | | area, the family can explain how the colors change |
| choirs, solo singing, musical instruments, bells and a | | | | with the different light that shines through the stain |
| clergy person speaking that has a different attire on | | | | glass. |
| that some of them wear. | | | | It is imperative to visit with other people at the church, |
| When considering attending a place to worship, such | | | | or another place of worship, and explain to the people |
| as churches, with your family, with an autistic person | | | | you have an autistic child who will be attending the |
| involved, take into consideration the distance from the | | | | service with you and your family, and they should be |
| home to the worship area, how far it is, how long will | | | | aware of autism and what to expect if your child has |
| the ride or walk take to get to the destination. Plan | | | | outbursts or feels uncomfortable for the first few |
| ahead to time the adventure so the child does not | | | | times, until they become adjusted. If other parents |
| become overwhelmed with a long ride or a long wait | | | | attending have children who do not have the disorder |
| before the service of worship starts. | | | | of autism, it is wise to inform them of your child who |
| Take your child and family together as a unit on | | | | does, and what to expect if the children want to |
| several practice runs to the church to familiarize them | | | | interact with communication skills, or play skills. |
| with the surroundings and what to expect. Show them | | | | Remember, be patient with your child with autism, if |
| where the bathroom is, where they hang their coats, a | | | | you choose, as a family to worship in a church. It can |
| nursery, or play room if any during the service, | | | | be an enjoyable experience for both the family and |
| introduce the individual to the clergy person who is | | | | the child that will become a positive routine. |
| going to be officiating the service. Let the child hear | | | | |