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Teaching the Bible to children with Autism

June 30, 2007 12:35 am

BY RACHANA DIXIT

Faith has always been a large part of Amy Whittaker's life.

"It's the most important thing," said Whittaker, a Spotsylvania County resident.

For years, Whittaker has shared her Catholic faith with her 10 children. But she has had to work harder to give her daughter Mary, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2, a meaningful religious education.

Teaching her "was completely different," said Whittaker, who has led religious education classes, or CCD, at St. Matthew Catholic Church near Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Her efforts have paid off. Now, at age 12, Mary has begun to interact with other children at church.

With the number of autistic individuals on the rise, several area churches are offering religious special-education programs--not only so autistic individuals learn about their religion, but also to create a place for them in a congregation.

Autism, which is the most common of the pervasive developmental disorders, affects roughly 1.5 million Americans, according to 2007 statistics from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those with autism will often display communication and behavioral issues.

"There are so many people out there," said Gail Hylton of Fredericksburg Baptist Church. In 1979, she helped create a special-education ministry for handicapped adults and is looking into starting one for children.

Ginny Thornburgh, director of the Washington-based National Organization on Disability's religion and disability program, said, "Clearly in the area of autism, there is more interest and attention."

Often, parents who have autistic children start special-education ministries.

Kathy Twigg, whose son Jonathan is autistic, established such a program at Grace Church of Fredericksburg five years ago.

Though eager to learn about his religion, Jonathan faced certain obstacles in doing so.

"His mental development just wasn't there," Twigg said.

He knows most of the main Bible stories, but Twigg said Jonathan has difficulty applying those stories to his own life.

"He can't relate to things. He doesn't have abstract thinking," she said.

There are currently nine children in the program at Twigg's church, and each person has a one-on-one worker for Sunday school.

To accommodate Jonathan, who is now 16, Twigg said she attempts to use interactive and visual materials, such as pictures, videos and Play-Doh.

Jonathan is learning at about a first- or second-grade level.

"I always give him hands-on things to do, always something visual," she said.

However, other help may be needed as well. Whittaker said Mary generally required help from someone else in the class. Otherwise she would not be able to participate.

"She needs support," Whittaker said. "She needs someone there to help her."

Thornburgh said that, in general, when a circle of support is created, that particular person or family knows they are valued by the congregation.

"It's by encouragement that progress is made," Thornburgh said.

She added that it is not always easy to have a special-needs program in church, because of a lack of space or volunteers.

"Several families have become discouraged from finding a congregation that will accept their child," she said.

But, both Whittaker and Twigg said they have not had problems with churches welcoming their children into Sunday school classes or congregations.

At one point this year, Whittaker took her daughter out of CCD class but was begged to bring her back.

"The kids were very supportive," Whittaker said. "I took her back and I was really glad that I did."

Twigg agreed that "there was always somebody" offering a hand despite difficulties those with autism face.

"They can only learn as much as they can process," she said. "But their heart for God is still there."

Rachana Dixit: 540/374-5000
Email: rdixit@freelancestar.com