MennoNet.com

I've been looking around and getting mixed signals on support from the churches around... no offense to those involved, but family members are confusing and saying opposite things in terms of support.

I have a severely autistic child and my family needs support dealing with the difficulty of raising a special needs child.

Is there any Anabaptist programs or churches that actually could help with a severely autistic child for either school or in home support? I'm interested in anything but I'd prefer conservative of some sort. Not sure I could even consider moving but even just talking and gathering information would be helpful.

I can't answer your question, but one thing I heard recently was that getting a pair of noise cancelling head phones really helped. (As I understand, it is difficult for a child with autism to filter out background noise, so it becomes a confusing & overwhelming crescendo of noise. So the headphones help reduce that to manageable levels. Is it the same with other types of sensory perceptions, like touch?)

My opinion is that currently we don't do this specifically for autism well, but we are trying to get better - mostly because autism seems to be becoming more common.

Overall I'd say look for a place that is generally pretty supportive. One thing to look for is a good school which can help with the other kids so you are more free to focus on your autistic child, or have time to drive them around to community resources.

To put in a pitch for my area: we have an excellent autism centre in Akron, Ohio and a cornucopia of conservative churches around and schools as well.

I don't know of such a program to help autistic or special needs children among conservative Anabaptists; that doesn't mean there isn't one, just that I don't know of one. I imagine some churches would be more helpful and supportive than others. So I'm not helpful for you, I'm afraid.

For adults with special needs or developmental challenges, recently a ministry to help them has been started. My dad is on the board and has been heavily involved in the construction and remodeling of the facility.

http://www.olivebranchleetonia.com

Olive Branch Ministries is a faith-based, non-profit organization offering residential services, training in daily living skills, and social services to adults with developmental challenges. Our over-riding goal is to see each of our residents discover and mature in a meaningful relationship with their Creator, that their lives would bring ultimate glory and honor to God; the purpose for which they were created!

silentreader wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/t ... story.html

Not surprising that doing things the world’s way instead of God’s way, and the way of nature he created, can have such disastrous effects.

Josh wrote:

silentreader wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/t ... story.html

Not surprising that doing things the world’s way instead of God’s way, and the way of nature he created, can have such disastrous effects.

That is always true, but in this case not necessarily a direct cause and effect.

silentreader wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/t ... story.html

Wow. Unfortunately this is a fairly significant case for autism having a genetic basis.

J.M.