Project: Adam's Pew

The highly published story of Adam Race’s ban from church made it clear that thousands of families do not attend church for fear of rejection.  According to the CDC, 1 in 150 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.  In Adam’s home state of Minnesota, 1 in 81 school-age-children is on the autism spectrum.  Many families have children whose functional level is much higher than Adam Race.  These children would need very minimal accommodations for integration into the church community. 

Families with children on the autism spectrum are often faced with extraordinary burdens.  Not only are these families dealing with their children's odd behaviors and difficulties, they are also faced with the challenges of working closely with school systems which often do not offer all of the services these children need to succeed.  Schools are often under-funded for special education so families are in the position of advocating for specialized services.  Social services often struggle to fit in the strange and varied needs of children with autism into a health care model that is based on physical disabilities, rather than developmental disorders. 

Parents are the driving forces to change the current model of social services to better reflect the needs of children with autism.  Modern medical care is based entirely on the traditional practices of drugs, which do not treat autism, but mask the symptoms and may cause other health problems.  Their long term use outcomes are unknown.  Many parents search out alternative therapies, based on nutritional supplementation and chelation therapy for more effective means of treating their children.  These therapies are often expensive and most medical insurances do not pay for coverage, placing high financial burdens on families. 

Many families also use behavioral therapies, occupational therapies, and physical therapies to treat their children.  The stress levels are extremely high on parents because of these issues, and depression is a common problem.  The divorce rate is high: 80 percent of parents divorce within three years of the diagnosis of autism.  Faced with all of these highly stressful issues, many families opt not to attend church services where they do not feel welcome.  Trying to remain in a church for these families has been seen by them as one more battle that they don't have the strength to fight.

It is precisely for these reasons, the one thing that can provide them strength to continue on a day-to-day basis, the Grace of God is so absolutely essential in their lives.  Yet they are being deprived of it simply because the faith communities are not reaching out and welcoming them.  Church should be a place where they can receive God's grace and love through the People of God in their local community.  Jesus said, "suffer the little children to come unto me, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven", and "whosoever receives a little child in my name welcomes me", and "whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me."  Clearly these children with autism are "the least of his brethren".  Regular attendance at church services can provide the ultimate level of support for these families in order to succeed in all their many and varied struggles.  It is so essential that these families be admitted into the House of God.  The family that prays together stays together.

Furthermore, there are many families whose children do not have autism, yet their children may be exceptionally active so they opt out of attending church.  It is also clear that there are some adults who don't fit the "mold" of "regular" churchgoers and who would like to attend Church but feel out of place when they come.  Having an “Adam's Pew” reserved could serve to welcome those who have felt uncomfortable attending church for any number of reasons.