Autism, faith and churches: The research landscape and where we go next

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Waldock, K. E. & Sango, P. N. (2023). Autism, faith and churches: The research landscape and where we go next. Theology in Scotland, 30(1), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.15664/tis.v30i1.2578

Publication date: 18 May 2023 Added to AutiHub: 7 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)

Abstract

Although there is a growing field exploring Autistic people, faith and churches, negative attitudes remain towards Autistic people within some faith spaces. Our paper aims to unpick the theological and sociological issues behind negative attitudes, beliefs and practices. We will then tentatively suggest how this projects a neuronormative and able-bodied image of God, and hinders the flourishing of all church members, notably Autistic people. We will then reflect on the current research landscape and knowledge-to-practice pipeline in churches. Finally, we will provide some recommendations for future directions, and practical recommendations for research and practice.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 11:55.

Cited references
9
With a DOI
7
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
0
2 / 9 (22.2%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
0 / 9 (0.0%)
References with detected author names
9 / 9 (100.0%)
Without detected author names
0
Without a structured title
0
Without a stable identifier
0
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
1
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
16
From DOI or external metadata
16
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
9 / 16 (56.2%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 7 / 16 (43.8%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
2 / 16 (12.5%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 2 / 9 (22.2%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 2 / 12 (16.7%).
  1. John M. Hull (2003). A Spirituality of Disability: The Christian Heritage as Both Problem and Potential . Studies in Christian Ethics, 16(2), 21-35. SAGE Publications.
    OpenAlex
  2. Mike Oliver (2013). The social model of disability: thirty years on . Disability & Society, 28(7), 1024-1026. Informa UK Limited.
    OpenAlex
  3. Precious Nonye Sango , Rachel Forrester‐Jones (2017). Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Spirituality and Religion: A Systematic Review 1990–2015 . Journal of Disability & Religion, 21(3), 280-295. Informa UK Limited.
    OpenAlex
  4. Precious Nonye Sango , Rachel Forrester‐Jones (2019). Spiritual care for people with intellectual and developmental disability: An exploratory study . Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 44(2), 150-160. Informa UK Limited.
    OpenAlex
  5. Clare Watkins , Helen Cameron , Deborah Bhatti , Catherine Duce , James Sweeney (2010). Talking about God in Practice: Theological Action Research and Practical Theology .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2798312055
    OpenAlex
  6. Grant Macaskill (2019). Autism and the Church: Bible, theology, and community .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2983288712
    OpenAlex
  7. Naomi Lawson Jacobs *Autistic author. Learn more… (2019). The Upside-down Kingdom of God: A Disability Studies Perspective on Disabled People’s Experiences in Churches and Theologies of Disability . Center for International and Regional Studies (Georgetown University). School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
    Type: Dissertation DOI: 10.25501/soas.00032204 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3010545350
    OpenAlex
  8. Precious Nonye Sango , Rachel Forrester‐Jones (2022). Spirituality and the Quality of Life of Individuals with Intellectual Disability . Journal of Long Term Care, 193-204. LSE Press.
    OpenAlex