How can a drawing of a kid in a pizza costume help people be part of church?

By Barb Stanley

If you are reading this right now, you are probably in one of two camps. Either you are looking at this and wondering how a drawing of a kid in a pizza costume could help someone be part of church, or you already know because you love someone with a developmental disability, like autism.

I want to start with the first camp. If you have never been part of a family impacted by autism or another developmental disability, then you may take it for granted that if your family wants to try something new at church (or anywhere else), then you can. Trying new things is a normal part of life. Right?

Well, the truth is for many people with disabilities, trying things that are out of their routine is incredibly hard. In fact, being asked to do something new without having the expectations explained can create intense feelings of anxiety that often send a person into fight or flight mode. And these big feelings can trigger a person to melt down or run away, even at events that are supposed to be fun, like church festivals and community outreaches.

Growing up with a brother who has autism, I can tell you firsthand that for families like mine, trying new things can feel more intimidating than you can imagine. Which is why many times families stay home where the routine is always the same. But there is something that has been proven to help: social narratives. Social narratives, often referred to as social stories, are an evidence-based practice way of helping people with autism adapt to change. Social narratives break down new experiences into concrete, visual steps and allow people to understand expectations before the event. This reduces anxiety and increases success. Social narratives are key to community for many families. I am going to say that again because it is so important. Social narratives allow people with autism and other developmental disabilities to feel prepared to try something new, and this allows everyone in their family to be able to take part in new activities too. Social narratives allow families to be part of the church community.

Which is why we have an entire section of free social narratives made especially for church activities on the Adapted Discipleship Library. From steps in faith like taking communion to fun events like trunk or treat (yes, that’s the pizza costume), we want all families to be able to be part of church.  

Now, if you are still reading this and you are in the second camp, a family impacted by disability, we want you to know this. You are the reason that we do what we do, because the church community is not complete without you. Jesus loves you and so do we.

Thank you to everyone who helps support our mission. You are making a difference.

To learn how churches are using our social narratives click here.