Autism theology ‘from the outside in’: mapping the journey of autism theology from the margins to the centre

ABSTRACT

‘Autism’ is a word which can sometimes raise more questions than it answers within practical theology. While autism has existed as a diagnostic category for almost a century, the meanings we attach to it remain complex, multi-varied, and ambiguous. What do we mean when we speak of autism in theological contexts, and of whom do we speak? Most importantly, who exactly is doing the speaking? In this article, two authors, one neurotypical and one neurodiverse, explore contemporary theological approaches to autism, mapping the epistemological turn from theologies of autism on the margins to theologies of autism from the centre.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• autism theology
• co-production
• spirituality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Diagnostic Criteria: A Guide for all audiences https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/diagnostic-criteria/all-audiences

Accessed 21/11/22 12.19

2 Despite claims linking autism to vaccinations and over-exposure to particular chemicals and minerals, it is now generally accepted that there is a level of clear, but complex, genetic inheritance present in autism (Silberman 2016, 511).

3 It is important to note that are contestations around appropriate terminology for describing persons with autism (see Kenny et al. (2016) ‘Which terms should be used to describe Autism? Perspectives from the UK Autism community.’). However, this remains largely personal preference.

4 Throughout this. article, we will use the term ‘inclusion’ to refer to the explicit task of seeking to adjust attitudes, behaviour and praxis in ways that enhance the sense of welcome, belonging and participation in church communities and ‘exclusion’ to indicate the presence (conscious or unconscious) of barriers to such ‘inclusion’

5 In addition to making use of the ‘I-Thou’ analogy, it is significant to note that Barth also describes God as ‘other’ and ‘hidden’ (Webster 2000, 78).

6 Rapley notes issues with the theological logic of Eiseland’s position (2020, 17), preferring Macaskill’s rendering of the imago dei as being participatory on the part of all humans, with Christ alone being ‘in the image of God’ (2019, 82).

7 The authors recognise the problematic use of such language, as emphasising the ‘spectrum of severity’, and consequently ableist, approaches to differences in autistic presentation.

8 ‘Savantism’ is said to be unique ‘type’ of autism which includes extraordinary or ‘genius’ type ability in a particular area.

9 https://www.abdn.ac.uk/sdhp/centre-for-the-study-of-autism-and-christian-community-1725.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eilidh Galbraith

Dr Eilidh Galbraith, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, Divinity, University of Aberdeen.

Stewart Rapley

Stewart Rapley, MA, PhD candidate University of Aberdeen.