How to Include Autistic Children and Young People in Church | Additional Needs

'All Inclusive?' - How to Include Autistic Children and Young People in Church - accessibility, inclusion, belonging, and spiritual development for all.

Tickets include a free copy of the accompanying book.

About this seminar:

Without considered and intentional measures, many aspects of church life can pose challenges for Autistic children and young people. This practical training provides useful advice on how to make church a space where Autistic children and young people can thrive. It urges children's, youth and families workers to be agents of change within both their own ministries and the wider church community, building a better place for accessibility, inclusion, belonging and spiritual development for all.

Areas covered include:

What Autism is (and isn't!), medical model vs. social model, brain overloads, myth busting etc.
Barriers experienced by Autistic children and young people in church, including physical, programme and people barriers.
Reducing or removing these barriers, and who can help.
How these changes can create belonging for everyone, including stories from Autistic young people, their families, and church children's/youth workers. 10 ways to create belonging.
Further resources, links, and information.

The 'All Inclusive?' - How to Include Autistic Children and Young People in Church training programme includes:

A comprehensive colour A4 training workbook with a wealth of information and resources sent to each participant in advance.
A copy of the accompanying Grove Youth series book which provides further context and depth to the training content.
Access to a series of videos to explore and learn through, covering a range of associated topics.
Finally, a Zoom session including discussion groups, case studies, Q&A, and signposting to further resources to investigate, as we wrap this programme up together.

Participants completing at least three of the Urban Saints 'All Inclusive?' training programmes will receive a certificate.

"It’s an amazing opportunity to gather information and informed advice and tips. Answered my questions and uncertainties and made me feel equipped and excited about how I can work alongside all young people."
All Inclusive? event in Haywards Heath, October 2019

These interactive training seminars can be tailored to meet the needs of the church or group hosting it. The programme is usually presented on a weekday evening in two halves, each lasting around 40 minutes, with a 20 minute interval in between and a Q&A session afterwards. This will include an opportunity to hear about how Urban Saints can serve churches in its work with children and young people, plus the chance to look at various resources during the interval. Longer weekend sessions are available on request.

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