Autistic and Christian

Kim that is me exactly - i.e. wondering about all these things and trying to work it all out!  

I don't think my church understands my autism, but we have a new pastor who is really open and sincere, it's just a matter of getting a chance to talk to him about it, at a time when our church is going through a lot of change.

I'd like to know how things are going for you at your church.

But my past experience, under the old ministry team, was that people were generally kind but things haven't worked very well for me - as in when I've tried to help, I try too hard then I crash and burn.  My counsellor, who's a psychologist and a Christian, says I could try committing to things for a few months, then do something else, which sounds like a good plan.

The other things that don't work for me are too much socialising and not coping with too much noise or chaos.  It can be really tiring for me.  I find it hard just walking in and going to a seat sometimes, if that makes sense.

I have only got close really to a couple of ladies in the church.  I've been going there for ten years with my daughters and there are still lots of people who seem to have no idea who I am.  It has hurt a lot at times.

My faith is a different matter - I realised that autism (or my version of autism at least) can be very well suited to reading and loving Scripture, to having a creative prayer time, and to thinking a lot about big picture things about God and all His creation and how everything stands in relationship to Him.

The preaching has always been good at my church which has kept me there.

Anyway I've got to go, I wasn't meant to be looking at the forum just now, but when I saw your post I just had to say something!  Will try to read other people's comments later on.  You're probably all asleep in the UK now anyway I think.

Kim that is me exactly - i.e. wondering about all these things and trying to work it all out!  

I don't think my church understands my autism, but we have a new pastor who is really open and sincere, it's just a matter of getting a chance to talk to him about it, at a time when our church is going through a lot of change.

I'd like to know how things are going for you at your church.

But my past experience, under the old ministry team, was that people were generally kind but things haven't worked very well for me - as in when I've tried to help, I try too hard then I crash and burn.  My counsellor, who's a psychologist and a Christian, says I could try committing to things for a few months, then do something else, which sounds like a good plan.

The other things that don't work for me are too much socialising and not coping with too much noise or chaos.  It can be really tiring for me.  I find it hard just walking in and going to a seat sometimes, if that makes sense.

I have only got close really to a couple of ladies in the church.  I've been going there for ten years with my daughters and there are still lots of people who seem to have no idea who I am.  It has hurt a lot at times.

My faith is a different matter - I realised that autism (or my version of autism at least) can be very well suited to reading and loving Scripture, to having a creative prayer time, and to thinking a lot about big picture things about God and all His creation and how everything stands in relationship to Him.

The preaching has always been good at my church which has kept me there.

Anyway I've got to go, I wasn't meant to be looking at the forum just now, but when I saw your post I just had to say something!  Will try to read other people's comments later on.  You're probably all asleep in the UK now anyway I think.