Churches in general are extremely stimulating environments for people with.
For those who have auditory or visual sensitivity, the loud sound, the lights or the circulation of many people may even trigger a crisis.
Walking, running or jumping through the hall, shaking your hands or even emitting sounds are some means to self -regulate and avoid this crisis. But are the churches prepared for this?
According to Pastor Glauco Ferreira, 39, of the Methodist Church in Rio de Janeiro, unfortunately not.
Father of Miguel Asafe, 15, he reports in the book, the difficulties in being able to congregate and express his faith after his son’s diagnosis.
“Experience the acidity of seeing a newly diagnosed child with autism is the victim of a serious prejudiced act only for his autistic condition and his different way of perceiving the world was the worst sensation we have ever lived,” he says.
Asafe was diagnosed in 2012, when little was said about the subject and the literature was still quite lean. “We realized that it was necessary to be his voice, someone who shouted to guarantee his rights, who raised himself as a prophetic voice to proclaim acceptance, tolerance and inclusion,” he recalls.
Glauco, who today also coordinates the National Pastoral of Inclusion of the Methodist Church of Brazil, promotes the “Blue Cult”. Supported in the pillars: information, awareness, welcoming and inclusion, he travels Brazil offering support and support, that he and his wife, Angelica, did not have in the past.
More than providing sound drowners or providing a space for regulation, with few sensory stimuli, the pastor argues that the church should do much more for families.
Support when they receive diagnosis, promote visits and meetings outside the temple, create a support network, and promote the approaching people with similar experiences are some actions.
“When the Church decides to address this theme, it not only promotes education on autism, but also a response to the social dilemmas of the present time – and autism is included in this,” he says.
Three years ago, when his son Benjamin was diagnosed with autism, the tax lawyer Sheila
Santos and her husband, Carlos Bezerra, gave up the leadership of a ministry to dedicate themselves more closely to the boy’s treatment.
Like Glauco, Sheila also realizes that the churches leave to be desired when it comes to inclusion.
“Many times even the teachers of the school can deal with the children. If they cry louder, scream, or if they have any non -functional behavior, many people understand as bad education,” he points out.
She argues that the matter should be treated openly, including the gaps of the church.
For this, the church where it acts as an auxiliary pastor, voice of what Clarma, in the Casa Verde neighborhood, in São Paulo, promotes wheels of atypical mothers, where they offer listening, as well as exchange of experiences and support.
“The church needs to understand its role, adapt to receive these families, and disciple the Church to accept them,” says Sheila.
In Brazil, it is estimated that there are about 6 million people diagnosed with, according to the study “Portraits of Brazil in 2023”, carried out by the genius Care and Tismo.me startups.
evangelicos@grupofolha.com.br
Gift Link: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release seven free hits from any link per day. Just click on F Blue below.
