Church in a time of neurodivergence
How many of these things is your church already doing?
When prompted to think of someone with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder), most people imagine an overly active child, usually a boy, bouncing off the walls in class, unable to retain any bits of information. When prompted to think of someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), most imagine a quiet, perhaps non-verbal child (also usually a boy), who is a savant of sorts. Maybe he is obsessed with trains, or sports statistics. What people are unlikely to picture is the person next to them in the pew on Sunday – perhaps their youth group leader, church pianist or Sunday School teacher. Perhaps it’s someone they only see sporadically or someone who sticks to the fringes of the sanctuary and makes a quick exit after the service.
Nothing new
Historically, the church has worked to provide accommodations for congregants with additional needs. There’s technology like the hearing loop system, which pipes the sound feed directly into someone’s hearing aids, or various ramps and lifts to assist individuals who use mobility aids. Even the humble pew cushion, often embroidered and stacked at the back of the sanctuary, is an accommodation for those whose bodies can no longer endure a full service seated on bare wooden pews. Accommodations are not a new thing for the church, but certainly the wide range of needs to be accommodated keeps expanding as we learn more about the unique ways different bodies and brains work.
Coined in 2000, the term “neurodivergent” encompasses individuals whose brain function diverges from societal norms. Diagnoses like ADHD and ASD are specific examples of neurodivergence, but there are countless other disorders that encompass a wide variety of symptoms and complications. For brevity’s sake, this article will focus on sensory processing disorder (often a major component of ASD) and executive dysfunction.
Sensory processing disorder
The church has focused on engaging the senses through expansive spaces, beautiful art and loud music, in order to facilitate a meditative or worshipful experience for congregants. For individuals with a sensory processing disorder (SPD), too much sensory input can cause dysregulation of their nervous system, inciting anxiety, disengagement, discomfort or even physical pain. According to the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, SPD may be found in 5-16% of the adult population and “alters the typical processing of sensory information, significantly amplifying their sensitivity to stimuli that might be easily ignored by others.” The key thing to note is “easily ignored by others” – while most people can discern that small text or a dim room would be a barrier for someone visually impaired, many barriers for individuals with SPD cannot be identified without directly consulting those affected.
Luckily, accommodating individuals with SPD does not mean stripping the sanctuary and service of anything bright and loud, at least not permanently. Instead, offering tools for managing auditory and visual stimuli can allow individuals with SPD to choose how they wish to engage with the worship service. Tools could be earplugs, earmuffs or glasses with tinted lenses for individuals with light sensitivity. Another great option that many churches already have is a quiet room, especially a room where the service can be heard and seen. These rooms often have a volume-controlled sound feed and may have blinds and lamps to control how much of the service is viewed. For churches without quiet rooms, another option is a “low stimulation” service or worship night, which could employ low lighting (candlelight is wonderful if fire code permits), softer, acoustic music, and a less expansive space if available. Finally, for individuals who have physical sensitivities, ensure that there is at least one exit from group spaces that is free from crowding, small-talking and post-service handshaking.
Executive dysfunction
Like SPD, executive dysfunction also deals with overwhelm, but instead of an overload of external stimuli, the brain struggles to manage and prioritize the overwhelming tasks and behaviours required for daily living. Executive dysfunction is a core component of ADHD, and individuals who struggle with it often drift from task to task, unable to focus on what needs to be addressed first and completed. Naturally, sitting in a church pew and passively experiencing the liturgy and sermon is a struggle for an individual with executive dysfunction, who may need to engage their body or other senses in order to focus their mind.
The simplest accommodations for individuals with executive dysfunction involve providing supplementary materials to help with engagement in the service. Having the Order of Worship available is a great start, as schedule and routine help neurodivergent folks feel comfortable, as do the sermon outline slides that many pastors utilize. If possible, sermon notes with questions provided before the service help guide attention, as do custom word searches, crosswords, or other word games that contain keywords and phrases from the sermon to focus on. A great practice, if resources allow, is facilitating a post-service small group or adult Sunday School class where congregants can discuss the service and solidify what they learned from the sermon in a more casual environment. If space allows, having an area dedicated to movement during the service allows individuals with executive dysfunction to occupy their bodies, which can contribute to focus. As well, the classic fidgets, like Playdough, colouring/doodle supplies, and yes, even fidget spinners can help occupy the hands in order for the brain to focus.
When someone comes forward with concerns or requests for accommodation, it is our role as the body of Christ to listen and learn. For churches that wish to engage further to accommodate neurodiverse congregants, a quick presentation with an accompanying survey may prove enlightening and could help lessen the challenges faced by some attendees.
