Thread by @notanautismmom

If your message as a religious leader cannot be interrupted by an #autistic child...

To the point of asking that family not to return to worship...

Maybe you should change your message.

I’ve heard from too many parents this week who say they aren’t welcome in their place of worship anymore because the leader isn’t “able” to accommodate them.

How defeating is that? How isolating?

How can we expect our schools to accept, accommodate, and include our #autistic children when our houses of worship don’t?

Religious leaders influence the values of our society as a whole. Some of them are setting a very low bar.

#DoBetter

To be clear, I don’t participate in organized religion. But I know how important it is for so many people.

I hear the pain in their voices... I see the confusion on their faces...

How could their faith betray their children like this? How could they not love and value them?

I feel the weight of the world on their shoulders and it’s not okay.

They’re used to fighting for change in the schools and throughout the community.

Houses of worship should be safe havens where they don’t have to fight. Acceptance and love should be built in...

But that’s apparently not the case with many of these places.

And their fighting spirit suddenly turns into confusion and doubt.

They’ve been gaslit by their religious leaders. Made to feel like their kids really are too much to handle... and that they in fact don’t belong.

The practice of exclusion doesn’t align with any religious values that I’m aware of.

So in conclusion...

If religious leaders aren’t intentionally working to include EVERYONE, they don’t deserve to lead ANYONE.

Thank you for coming to my #TedTalk 💜

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