Christopher Barber

On Connectedness: Spirituality on the Autistic Spectrum

Abstract This essay explores Christian spirituality from the perspective of someone on the autistic spectrum. The theme of connectedness with oneself, others and with God is considered and it is argued that framing spirituality as a non-concrete concept with techniques that often rely upon imagination exacerbates the difficulties of spiritual disciplines for people on the autistic spectrum. It is proposed that structured forms such as the Divine Office and the Rosary offer more scope in this context than extemporary and contemplative prayer. It is recognized that preoccupation with form over content can be a further difficulty for people with autism. Critique of assumptions around relationality as a core dimension of Christian community and spirituality is offered. The essay concludes that inclusion of people on the autistic spectrum within the Christian community demands recognition of their different attempts to connect with God, self and others.

What Can I Gift Myself? A Meeting between Christian and Buddhist Forms of Meditation from an Autistic Perspective

The past fifty years have seen some growth in theological and spiritual interest in the sacred spaces where Christian and Buddhist spirituality and spiritual practices meet and can mutually enhance each other. Likewise, there has been an increased interest in exploring the sacred space where, in general, spirituality and disability meet. This article sets out to explore, through the eyes and spirituality of two adults with Aspergers syndrome/high functioning autism, how three specific forms of Buddhist meditative practices can be adapted to fit within a Christian spiritual paradigm

Spirituality and the Needs of Those with Autistic Spectrum Conditions: Some Implications for ‘Spiritual Care’ Policies

Abstract The rediscovery of spirituality in the last fifty years, particularly in secular institutions in the UK such as the National Health Service (NHS), has been characterized by an emerging stress on relationships, affective attachment and experiences of connectedness. This has been expressed in ‘spiritual care’ strategies that separate spirituality from any reference to religion. Although the intention may be to widen the remit of spiritual care to include people of all religions and none, this approach may paradoxically exclude those whose spirituality is not expressed primarily in affective terms. In this article these issues are discussed through reflection on the experience of one of the authors, a nurse with a diagnosis of high-functioning autism. The argument is made that an individualistic and ritually impoverished generic spirituality is not adequate to the demands of social inclusion on the one hand or religious validity on the other. Public institutions such as the National Health Service (NHS) need to engage with both the social and historical practices of religious communities if they are not to exclude vulnerable individuals from the provision of ‘spiritual care’.