An Exploratory Study of Attitudes toward Autism Amongst Church-Going Christians in the South East of England, United Kingdom

Waldock, K. E. & Forrester‐Jones, R. (2020). An Exploratory Study of Attitudes toward Autism Amongst Church-Going Christians in the South East of England, United Kingdom. Journal of Disability & Religion, 24(4), 349-370. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2020.1776667

Publication date: 11 Jun 2020 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

Access to church communities can be difficult for autistic people. Whilst specific autism guidelines are available for churches to follow, their dissemination among church communities, as well as churchgoers’ attitudes towards autism is unknown. Semi-structured interviews were used with twenty-one adult church-goers from four Protestant churches in England, UK. Using a grounded theory approach to analyze the data, three themes were identified: “different understandings of autism”, “degrees of ableism” and “idiosyncratic practice.” We found positive and pejorative attitudes; this mix of perspectives reflecting the idiosyncratic practice among churches. Recommendations for further research and church practice are provided.

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Cited references
79
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
2 / 79 (2.5%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
2 / 138 (1.4%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 2 / 19 (10.5%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 2 / 127 (1.6%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
19 / 138 (13.8%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 18 / 127 (14.2%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
17 / 19 (89.5%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 17 / 138 (12.3%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 16 / 18 (88.9%).
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