Should children with autism be separated in a classroom at church?

Question

My church is having problems with five children that have autism all the same age 3-4yrs old. They have a hard time having them sit still and do what is expected. My child is one of them. They called and asked me for suggestions. I told them at my sons speech, they have a board with pictures on it that shows what they are going to do next. When they are done with that activity, they take that picture down and show the next one in line. This helps. I also suggested a timer so the children could see when it was time to move to the next activity. most of the children that can't sit much is due to sensory issues. Thank goodness they do have an interactive video that has them move and jump. The teacher asked me what I thought about having the children with autism in their own classroom. I told her I would have to get back to her on that. My question is what is the best answer for all these children. I did go to a church that wanted to separate these children and, they acted like they were a burden. Needless to say we don't go there any more. The good thing about this church is they see them as a blessing and do want to help. Does any one know what would be the best to do?

Answer 1

Are any of the kids prone to loud disruptive outbursts?  If so, I think the church has a point.  People who go there have a right to enjoy the service and to hear what the preacher has to say, without distraction.  I'd say the same thing about parents with very young children who burst out in loud crying during the service.

But they should be able to enjoy church too.  It's easily solved by just seating them in a pew near the exit so you can take them outside if there is trouble.

If none of the kids are prone to being disruptive, then the church is acting like a horse's hind end and is intolerant.

Answer 2

What will best meet the needs of the autistic kids?  What will best meet the needs of the other kids?  What do the other parents want?

Stay objective and find out.  Meeting needs is the priority so let the end will determine the means.

Cathy

Answer 3

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but they should be seperated.

Answer 4

I have a son with autism. It's unfortunate that because of my commitments to him, I rarely get to go to my temple. When he was a bit younger and we were staying closer to the temple he was sat by my mother-in-law for a few hours so I could go. Autism or no autism, there are several reasons why I would not have taken him there in the first place. One being, he is a small child, he's likely to get bored, he may want to get his cheeky little hands on delicate things considered to be "holy objects" etc and trying to prevent a kid from behaving like a kid would not only be futile, it would mean I couldn't devote even a small part of my mind to learning or meditation. Another reason being that the place would have a lot of incense burning and some kinds of incense give off carcinogens when they burn so I might as well hold him in my arms whilst smoking a cigarette. But the main reason, (to me the most important reason) is that it is not my place to impose religion or belief on anybody, particularly someone who has expressed no interest in it and is not yet able to understand the concepts. So many people rebel hard against the religion they were brought up with and this is usually because it was used against them by their parents in some way, or because they were never offered an alternative. I don't know if my son will ever be able or inclined to make a decision about religious matters. Either way, true belief is not the same as just accepting what your parents pound into your head. The best way to show a person the meaning of your faith is to be a kind, fair and compassionate person who tries to take a moment to connect with their faith whenever possible(whether stopping for a quiet prayer in the morning or meditating for 15 min at night). That is inspiring. Taking a kid to a place that bores them, frightens them or just freaks them out is  unlikely to inspire faith in them. If you believe in a God and believe God made this child, then God would be aware of the child and keep the child in His thoughts. He'd hear your prayers and understand why the child isn't visiting his house on Sundays.

If this upsets people please remember, it's only an opinion.

Answer 5

You gotta remember that a trained teacher with students in a established routine would have difficulty with five preschoolers with autism.  These volunteers are with them two hours a week, sometimes providing their own supplies, snacks, etc. and no real training in autism.  It's not their fault that they are unwilling to provide an inclusive Sunday school class when numbers are THAT high and THAT many modifications need to be made for them.  If volunteers are willing to keep and educate your son in another classroom, let them.  They aren't trained to help your son and volunteers don't need to feel forced to make visual cues each week.  It's a shame that you don't go there any more, they were willing to work with your son, just in a more manageable setting.  

Answer 6

At that age, children have a hard time sitting still, regardless of whether or not they have Autism.  I do not believe that students should be separated from the other students all of the time.  Especially during school, they NEED the social interaction.  If they are separated from everyone else, they won't get that.  Depending on the severity of their Autism, they may need to have a Special Education teacher be with them for a set amount of time during the day, then in a classroom the rest of the time.  If they are such a disruption during church, then there should be more than one person there with them, or have the parents sit with them.  It just takes patience.

Answer 7

this is normal behavior for all 3 & 4 yr olds -they can't control their bodies and have lotsa difficulty sitting.  perhaps you need a school that will recognize this.

Answer 8

My church has a separate classroom for special-needs if the parent feels more comfortable with that.  I like this set up. Our daughter will be "kindergarten level" for a long time with the autism.  The regular classes that match her age (junior-high) would not be beneficial for her needs.   It doesn't have to be as elaborate as a public school setting.  Just enough room to have different "centers".  A lot like a regular preschool I would think.  There should be at least two adults.  Ours has one adult size long table and a child size long table, both sitting about 6 each.  These are used for crafts and bible story time.  One corner of the room has a colorful sandbox table they filled with beans.  Another corner has a big square coloful mat to romp on and a colorful plastic drawer system.  The child can open a drawer and find matchbox cars or another with animals, etc.  A book center. The puzzle and coloring suplies are in a cupboard but, my daughter knows where those are and can help herself.  A big mirror.  An area with small hoolahoops.    You get the picture.  Just what your church can do.  It can be as big or small to accomodate.  As each child arrives they can go to an activity until all are there.  Start with a very simple craft activity if teacher so desires.  These kids are all about hands-on stuff.  At this point work with one child at a time while the others continue with one of the other center activities.   Then for group, a short and simple bible story with visuals and/or another simple hands on activity to reinforce story.  Then let each go to another station.  Transition is a crucial for those more severly affected so whatever will work best, pictures, timer.  It is trial and error to begin with.  Keep it simple and relaxed.  When my church was looking into starting a special-needs class they also talked with another church in our area that had an established class to get ideas.  There were also those in my congregation who work full time with special needs and they volunteered their time to help.