Asperger/Autism

[Mary Sutton]

Hi, I'm new to this group, but I would like to commend to you these guidelines:

http://www.oxford.anglican.org/welcoming-those-with-autism-and-aspe...

Why am I interested? Not only was my son diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in September 2007, following his diagnosis, I had strong suspicions about myself, and in September THIS year I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome.

Despite this, I am in my 3rd year of training as a Reader in the Church of England, and am willing to assist any church in the welcoming of those with Asperger's and Autism.

[Ruth Thomas]

I couldn't make that link work, but found the document at www.oxford.anglican.org/social-justice/just-care/welcoming-those-wi.... (Impressively long URL!)

[Phil Moore]

Thanks for this update - I found the document and will take some time to work through it and adapt it into some of my training

Phil Moore

[Ruth Thomas]

...And now I've actually read the paper, I'd like to recommend it to anyone else here, particularly the first half. (But the website does seem to be distinctly unreliable and the link keeps disappearing or not working. You can always try going to www.oxford.anglican.org and searching for "autism".)

I seem to have met a lot of folk who might be considered to have "borderline" autism or Asperger's but have never been diagnosed -- and perhaps a formal diagnosis wouldn't be useful anyway. If they are intelligent and high-functioning, they may be able to rationalise their way round social situations that they are unable to navigate instinctively, with the result that they can usually function much like everyone else. But it helps such people no end if those in churches (and other social situations) can remember that some people are different from the norm. Just remembering that not everyone likes spontaneity is a good first step...

[Mary Sutton]

Oops! Sorry about the link!

Personally I found the diagnosis really helpful. Yes, I can rationalise myself round social situations, but I also hide, almost at all costs, when I am struggling because being sociable is "normal", and I don't always feel normal! It is nice sometimes to admit, yes I AM struggling, without be worried about being treated like a total outcast!

But I also hope it will help my son when he is older, to know that he is not alone in this.