Discipling Autism

[Aldrin25]

How do you handle this kind of Disciple? It's my cousin.

Before I double check if Jesus is really his Savior, I explained properly the Gospel, he accepted it. Right now sometimes he's saying he don't believe in the Bible... sometimes yes.. his understanding is very low, but great in academics.

How do you handle this kind of person? 19 yrs old btw.

 

[dqhall]

You may need to become familiar with the Gospels, Acts and Epistles.

This is a list of people described as suffering autism at some point who became gifted and talented:
History's 30 Most Inspiring People on the Autism Spectrum - Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide

 

[Sabertooth]

How do you handle this kind of person? 19 yrs old btw.

It really depends on his functioning level.

If he understands things like a typical 19yo, talk to him as such.
If he functions more like a child, adapt accordingly.

Look for autism organizations/resources that can help you better understand how to communicate with him.

God's message doesn't change, but communication must adapt as necessary.

 

[Amittai]

Donna Williams (whom I was delighted to find things in common with after healing prayers had been said for me) advocates the "indirectly confrontational" instead of directly.

Spiritual matters need a considerable intuitive component. Hence, you can major on the existential aspect.

 

[WDSobieski]

I have a personal story happening with a relative (living in another continent) who's a 10-year-old with developmental delays, this boy hat rather serious behavioural problems like disturbing his classmates and snatching things without asking, Like he yelled "I WANNA PLAY POKEMON!!!!" while his 14-year old cousin and me were playing Pokemon Go, then he attempted grabbing my cousin's phone. Also for hogging the computer while other relatives were using them.

After some while since he goes to a Christian school and his family was finding suitable services for kids with special needs, his grandpa brought him to the children's Sunday school at a nearby Methodist(?) church which also offers special services. After some time going to Sunday school he's more disciplined together with attending training classes and often he says "Jesus tells us loving each other" when somebody's annoyed, and last time when I saw him he was reading about Acts. Even I haven't seen him for almost a year, my family mentioned he's much calmer due to both Sunday school and special lessons.

IMHO you can introduce him to communities offering such groups (Bible studies or Sunday schools) which explain things more precisely. Of course, respect him as an adult and try not being too patronising and treating him as a kid in these lessons.