Sunday Church Group

I was recently posed a question about how to help with a child in a Sunday church group, where I can imagine lots of families would like help.  Awareness about autism is just the first step.  Teaching the community the tricks of the trade is the next step so that they can understand autism better.  My blog will be a hypothetical church group scenerio under ideal circumstances and I hope I can answer my friends facebook question via blog =)  A sensory room is always benefitial for creating a inviting atmosphere.  The church atmosphere may be overload for the child with autism, so a seperate room for the child to hang out during church would help.  Creating the atmosphere of that room to be theraputic will look something like a typical early chilhood room for the church.  It's nothing fancy.  However, the tricks of the trade used are a llittle different.  A corner filled with beanbags, bouncy balls or trampolines, dim lighting, something to go under and hang out in this area will help the child feel welcome in the unknown enivironment. 


First, each child on the spectrum is different like colors of the rainbow and based on their shade, their social, cognitive, or even sensory fuctions will be impacted differently.  I do not advocate jumping into any child's world without letting them play on their own and lead their exploration.  I always watch the children first before beginning any specific therapies.  However, sensory/oral motor time can be general enough to benefit any child.  However, defensive children may need warmer water as they put their pinky in the toothpaste before we move our way into the year putting toothpaste on a toothbrush to put into our mouth.  Those are highly benefitial activities however jumping into the world of autism too fast could cause unwanted meltdowns.  The child should be as comfortable as possible, and should not want to escape from sensory time, rather run to it when you sing the song to get them to their sensory spot in the room.  After you have let the child explore on their own, through play and wandering the room to look around, I do believe music is the best way to get any child's attention.  As you create a routine or regime for the child every time they enter the church, you may sing a song to go to the bathroom or whatever you are transitioning into after free play.  The sound of a bell, switching on and off the lights, a timer, some sort of visual cue that you want the child's attention!  A picture of what you are going to do next with the child would help in telling the child the activity is all finished and its now time for bathroom.  After each transition, the same cue whether light or sound should be used to get the attention followed by a visual cue with a picture of what is going on next.  This communication process will help decrease meltdowns.  During arts and crafts and times where you want the child to sit, it may be best to have a dedicated assistant, a teacher or older child will help. 

Each church group is different however, a few communication cues and environmental changes that help the child with autism understand their environment can help with transitions.  If you give the child the yeast to become a member of the class community, they can and will rise to the occassion.