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Autism Spectrum

Autism is almost the opposite of being Deaf or Blind. Rather than taking in too little information from the senses, many on the autism spectrum take in too much, and get ‘lost’ and exhausted in the detail of it all. They also find it difficult to see or hear non-verbal signals, and find changes in routine very difficult to handle without warning. Always ask the person what might help, and respect their decision to refuse help if they think they can cope alone. All of these are generalisations to aid understanding.

Premises

Information

 Resources
WELCOME Be aware that people on the autism spectrum may not make eye contact or know the right way to greet someone, and may have some difficulty recognising who is who. Do door stewards have some knowledge of autism so that they know this is not rudeness?
Some people on the autism spectrum use repetitive movement, e.g. rocking or hand flapping, as a way to sense where their bodies are. It is normal in autism and is not a cause for concern.
Is there a befriender who can be a point of safe contact for someone on the autism spectrum in case they have questions? How do they identify that person in a crowd?		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Getting to Church Is it easy to find the right door to get into the building? Does your website have a description of how to get to the church. Is there a map for people who find written English difficult?
Are there clear signs showing how to get into the church from the car park?		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
OUTREACH & MISSION If you are distributing literature or a DVD/video do you also have easy read format available that is in plain English, without metaphors and expressions? The use of pictures helps many on the autism spectrum who have a more visual -based brain. Be clear and factual with information, and clear about what rules apply when attending somewhere. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
WORSHIP
Singing / Music Is the lighting free from intense flickering?Have you thought about how echoey the space is, and whether echoing can be lessened in some way?
People on the autism spectrum often have hearing and sight and other senses that are three times more sensitive to detail than most other people. Think about how much visual distraction there is, particularly highly patterned surfaces.
Is there a quiet space that can be an ‘escape room’ for someone on the autism spectrum who is finding the sensory input in a service or event too overwhelming and needs to be able to recover for a while?		 Make sure that wording is clear, and provide good explanation for when people are required to stand, sit, sing or otherwise, even if you think it is going to be obvious.
It may be easier to provide one thing to hold, if possible, rather than several hymnbooks, sheets and booklets, as some on the autism spectrum struggle with co-ordination. Or think about seating with a built-in space in which to put extra books or sheets.		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Preaching Think about how to minimise distractions so that those on the autism spectrum can concentrate on what is being said, e.g. noise from adjacent rooms. Use plain English. Explain metaphors either from the front, or via someone who can explain quietly to the person at the time if needed, or afterwards if asked. Visual aids can be very useful. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Praying and Group Work Do you split into small groups to pray together? If there are several groups praying in the same room background noise can be a real problem. So can other sensory distractions. If prayer groups are held in other houses or premises, think about sensory challenges – lighting, distraction from background noise, odours from air fresheners etc. If you are going to ask each person to say or do something for the prayer activity or Bible Study or similar, warn the person on the autism spectrum of this in advance, so they can decide what information they might need and whether they can cope with this.
If you are holding prayer sessions elsewhere, how will the person get to the new building? If you can provide information on location and what it looks like, this will help.
For social groups, those on the autism spectrum may be unaware of social protocols and find it very difficult to know how to make friends. They may be unaware of rank and status, and treat everyone the same. A sensible befriender may be of value.		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Communion Are people expected to walk past musicians or choirs or other sources of noise or sensory intensity in order to get to the communion point? Those on the autism spectrum may find the sensory overload very challenging. Is there a way to reduce or re-position any of this, if so? It may help to talk through the communion activities beforehand with someone on the autism spectrum so they know what to expect. For example, is the bread and wine being passed around? Who holds what and who takes what, in what order? Can the person cope with the smell and taste of the communion bread and wine? Is there one loaf or small pieces of bread? Are there individual cups or large shared cups?
Do you have go to the altar rail? What are you expected to say and do? When do you return to your seat?		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
AGE GROUPS
Children and Young People Check for sensory hazards – flickering lighting, echoing rooms, background noise, smells, lots of social communication in a group that might feel overwhelming to a child or young person on the autism spectrum. Children on the autism spectrum may be very literal, and very unaware of social protocols. Be very clear about rules of behaviour, but allow regular breaks so that a child who is overwhelmed with social or sensory input can recover and continue. Check materials for logic – Many materials for children make a lot of use of metaphor and expressions, which will be very confusing for most children on the autism spectrum. IQ for those with autism is not usually any indicator of common sense, so be careful to consider safety at all times. Some children may not understand that they cannot leave the building, so talk with parents or carers about safety aspects and their particular needs.
For activities, children on the autism spectrum may need a lot of practise to get things right, and may panic if someone touches their things without their permission or moves them without their knowledge. This is because of brain structure differences, not anger or rudeness. Be aware, and be prepared to adapt sessions so that they know what is theirs and who can and cannot touch it, and when. Use clear rules.		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Counselling Situations Think about sensory hazards – flickering lighting, echoing rooms, background noise, smells, uncomfortable seating, cold draughts. Those on the autism spectrum may need very clear practical information rather than an exploration of their feelings and responses. They may also need clear instruction rather than reflective questioning styles. They may not use body language or eye contact, but this is not a sign of evasion. It is a feature of autism and the brain design that means most do not have a working “non-verbal communication system”. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
SPECIAL EVENTS
and SOCIAL EVENTS		 Think about sensory hazards – flickering lighting, echoing rooms, background noise, smells, uncomfortable seating, cold draughts. Where are the toilets, and has someone checked those for sensory hazards too? Automated hissing air fresheners can be a major hazard for those on the autism spectrum, as can ultra-loud hand drying machines. For any special events or times when the service includes different activity, have you thought about how you might help people onthe autism spectrum to feel included? Could the person leading the service describe what is happening? If this does not seem appropriate in a particular situation, is there someone who could sit next to the person and describe what is happening? Is there a safe task that the person could be doing to occupy themselves during unstructured social time? Often those on the autism spectrum find unstructured social events very stressful and will leave almost instantly if they do not know the ‘rules’ for who to speak to and what to say or do. It is not a sign of rudeness. Be as clear as possible about what is expected of them, and be prepared to put some structure into place to help them cope. A befriender can be invaluable. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Baptisms Weddings and Funerals Think carefully about sensory hazards, in the same way as you would for any other church service. Check for flickering lighting, echoing, background noise and anything that might lead to sensory overload for that person. Very clear practical information is needed about what to do and what not to do. Do not use metaphors, and if you have to, be prepared to explain them afterwards. A visual guide to what will happen might be useful. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
COMMUNICATIONS Check sound systems for faults that might cause sudden loud feedback. Check that overhead projectors do not cause flickering on the OHP screens. Check that signage around the building is very clear. Have you thought of using e-mail for people who cannot read ordinary print but can use computers – you could send documents in advance of meetings, words for new songs, notice sheets .Are there people who would be willing to act as befriender to that person so that they can help explain anything that the person does not immediately understand? Even those with a high IQ may struggle to understand some concepts. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
CHURCH ORGANISATION
Policies Are these kept in a logical and accessible place in the premises? Are these policies written clearly, without metaphors or expressions? Are the rules within them absolutely clear? Often those on the autism spectrum are superb at spotting errors of logic and will identify these. Unfortunately because of social communication differences, this may be misinterpreted as rudeness on their part. Use their skills where possible. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Church Meetings Check the meeting room for sensory hazards – flickering lighting, background noise, echoing, smells etc. Is there clear signage to say where the meeting is being held? Do people know where the meeting is, what it is about, how to get to it, where to go once there, where the toilets are, whether there will be a drink, when it will begin, when it will end, and its exact agenda? The more detail the better for those on the autism spectrum. Keep language clear and simple where possible, or have someone act as befriender who can quietly help explain if asked to.
In group work, use a clear signalling system to say who will be allowed to speak. Many on the autism spectrum cannot time how to speak in a group. Putting a hand up is one easy and straightforward way to ask for a turn to speak. Do be clear about how much time someone is allowed to speak, as some on the autism spectrum may not realise they have spoken too much.		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Leadership Get your leaders to think about sensory hazards in buildings as part of their everyday thinking. Have your church leaders received any disability awareness training? Are they aware of the basics of autism – social ‘clumsiness’ that can seem like deliberate rudeness but isn’t; a desperate need to be able to predict what will happen and what they are supposed to do at any given point; an inability to ‘tune out’ sensory information, leaving the person on the autism spectrum feeling overwhelmed and exhausted if there isn’t a quiet space to retreat to occasionally?Do you encourage and enable those on the autism spectrum to take on positions of responsibility in your churches? Many are already doing so, including as clergy and preachers, but you may be unaware of their diagnosis as yet. Do not assume that someone on the autism spectrum cannot do a job – there are usually ways to make it possible. A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx
Building Design Get an autism access audit done if possible as part of your disability audit process. Check for sensory hazards – flickering overhead lighting (those on the autism spectrum can be especially sensitive to this), acoustic problems such as echoing, very distracting visual materials, smells, textures. Minimising sensory input wherever possible will make it easier for those on the autism spectrum to cope.
Designate one part of the building as a ‘quiet area’ for those on the autism spectrum to retreat to if they need to get away from sensory and social overload.
Large spaces where people don’t have to push past each other are much better than small cramped ones.
Air conditioning/heating needs to be as low-noise as possible.		 Is there a map available showing the layout of the building and its surroundings, and photos of this, so that those on the autism spectrum can see in advance where things are and how to move around the building?
If someone is attending church buildings with an individual on the autism spectrum who may not understand danger, what might the building safety hazards be? Is there a way to provide security and safety if needed, but without it becoming intrusive or worrying?
Fire alarms may cause panic because of the change of routine and the loud noise. Is there clear information for the person on what to expect if there is a fire alarm test taking place?		 A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspxThe Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors can be contacted for information about autism-friendly building design, as can the National Autistic Society
Church Publicity & Website Is your website accessible by those on the autism spectrum? Is the site easy to navigate, with easy-read English and clear instructions on it? Are pictures available rather than pure text? A guide for churches on how to welcome and include those on the autism spectrum can be found at http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/autism_guidelines.pdf
The National Autistic Society has produced a guide for attending worship at http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/religion-going-to-place-of-worship.aspx