In their own words: the place of faith in the lives of young people with autism and intellectual disability.
Young adults with autism and ID say faith is a real support—so ask about it and use it in plans.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Liu et al. (2014) talked with young adults who have autism and intellectual disability.
They asked how faith fits into daily life and how the young people see their disability.
The team used open interviews so participants could speak in their own words.
What they found
The youth said faith matters to them.
They showed spirituality in many ways, such as prayer, song, or quiet time.
Most saw their disability as part of a plan and felt accepted by their faith group.
How this fits with other research
Worsham et al. (2015) also let autistic kids speak for themselves. Both studies prove that people with autism can share deep feelings when asked the right way.
Höfer et al. (2017) found that many families use special diets or vitamins. Faith practices are another common home support you should ask about.
Hall et al. (2016) show that supportive places help youth with ID bounce back. Faith groups can be one more safe space in that support web.
Why it matters
If you write behavior plans, add a line about spiritual likes and dislikes. Ask, "Is there a song, symbol, or quiet routine that helps you feel calm?" A quick question can open a new source of natural reinforcement and respect.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Abstract Although the prominence of spirituality and religious connections among the people of the United States is well documented, little is known about the place of faith in the lives of youth with developmental disabilities. In this qualitative interview study, we examined the perspectives of 20 young people with intellectual disability or autism on their faith, spiritual expressions, and disability. Participants identified key spiritual expressions and themes reflecting the importance of faith in their lives. They also shared perceptions of their disability in the context of their faith, highlighting affirmation and acceptance of their disability. We offer recommendations to families, faith communities, and service systems for supporting the spiritual formation, expression, and connections of young people with disabilities.
Intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2014 · doi:10.1352/1934-9556-52.5.388