Autism/ accessible service ideas

[Amy-Rebekah]

hi guys, last Sunday I went to church and ended up with a thumping migraine due to the lights and noise etc but in my migraine medication state I had an idea. Many services are simply inaccessible for people with autism and other disabilities. I am wondering how I could make a service accessible and then potentially arrange one. A chill out zone is already planned with lots of soft cushions for those who need it. I’m thinking a very unplugged worship style and even a ban on clapping and cheering for sensitive ears. soft lighting and lowered microphone volumes but are there other things I could and should consider (I’m already thinking of sign language interpreters!)

 

[Dave-W]

I agree that some services can be wayyyy tooooo loud and obnoxious.
Part of our walk as believers is to prefer others over our own wants.

 

[Sam91]

My daughter has autism and finds out Baptist church services fine. We have hymns and some modern songs thrown in. However, being a child she might tolerate more stimuli than you as she puts up with school each day. She struggles most when things are really noisy or a group of teens get on public transport.

Maybe an evening service would be more tolerable, they seem to be even more relaxed in my church and less attendance.

 

[Sam91]

Sorry I read your question wrong!

You have some great ideas.

 

[faroukfarouk]

My daughter has autism and finds out Baptist church services fine. We have hymns and some modern songs thrown in. However, being a child she might tolerate more stimuli than you as she puts up with school each day. She struggles most when things are really noisy or a group of teens get on public transport.

Maybe an evening service would be more tolerable, they seem to be even more relaxed in my church and less attendance.

We went to a service a while ago and unknown to us they were going to do hard rock style music, which was unexpected.

 

[Amy-Rebekah]

That’s why I need to plan and make it a service that is accessible. I’m also targeting the service at parents of autistic children who may want to explore church but feel unable.

 

[Dave-W]

I’m also targeting the service at parents of autistic children who may want to explore church but feel unable.

Sounds to me like a great idea.

 

[*LILAC]

Sounds like a great plan! Some churches have rooms off to the side with speakers so the people in there can still see and hear what's going on within the church without having to be in the sanctuary. My autistic son has grown that he actually likes the loudness that comes with worship. But he still has his "it's too loud" days and prefers to be out in the foyer, or basement or will even wander out to the parking lot. He also loves the outdoors and I know it's wishful thinking but maybe outdoor services more often in the nicer seasons.

 

[Paidiske]

A church I worked in a while ago designed a service for kids on the spectrum (and their parents).

We did things like have a box of fidget toys available at all times; we used like a comic-strip version of the gospel story we were doing that day (not relying on verbal skills for comprehension), and during the prayer time we would pull out paper and paints and pencils and so forth for people to express themselves visually.

Probably more too, I still have my notes somewhere, but I don't know if that's the sort of thing you had in mind?