On March 8, the Ecumenical Theological College held a conference at the Jean Le Brun Centre titled: “How to Include Everyone in the Life of the Church.” This presentation, which highlighted the issue of autism in society, was led by Dr. Mary Peterson from South Africa, an education consultant and autism specialist — and a parent of autistic children herself.
Dr. Peterson is also a trainer in education and public health. The conference was hosted by Rev. Rodney Curpanen, Director of the Ecumenical Theological College.
Dr. Mary Peterson began by quoting 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it.”
She spoke about the importance of the Church and the central role of the family in fostering inclusion for people with autism, encouraging empathy and the creation of a sensory-friendly and welcoming environment.
She highlighted several key approaches to better support autistic individuals, especially children. Beyond understanding the condition, this includes: identifying the origin and degree of neurological dysfunction, avoiding blame, building trust, observing physical behavior, supporting family comfort, and respecting differences.
To make congregations — especially catechism settings — more inclusive, she recommended: adopting a tailored approach, creating a friendly atmosphere in a pleasant and spacious environment, and moving away from rigid traditional systems so that individuals, especially children, find joy in coming to church. Strengths and talents should be celebrated.
Audio-visual tools are helpful, but overly loud sound systems should be avoided.
These were the key takeaways from her presentation.