On Connectedness: Spirituality on the Autistic Spectrum

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

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Barber, C. (2011). On Connectedness: Spirituality on the Autistic Spectrum. Practical Theology, 4(2), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1558/prth.v4i2.201

Publication date: 6 Apr 2011 Added to AutiHub: 7 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
  1. Christopher Barber *

Abstract

This essay explores Christian spirituality from the perspective of someone on the autistic spectrum. The theme of connectedness with oneself, others and with God is considered and it is argued that framing spirituality as a non-concrete concept with techniques that often rely upon imagination exacerbates the difficulties of spiritual disciplines for people on the autistic spectrum. It is proposed that structured forms such as the Divine Office and the Rosary offer more scope in this context than extemporary and contemplative prayer. It is recognized that preoccupation with form over content can be a further difficulty for people with autism. Critique of assumptions around relationality as a core dimension of Christian community and spirituality is offered. The essay concludes that inclusion of people on the autistic spectrum within the Christian community demands recognition of their different attempts to connect with God, self and others.

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: 12 Sep 2026 01:04.

Cited references
13
With a DOI
3
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
8
0 / 13 (0.0%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
8 / 13 (61.5%)
References with detected author names
5 / 13 (38.5%)
Without detected author names
8
Without a structured title
8
Without a stable identifier
8
References with raw author names still to review
8
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
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
5
From DOI or external metadata
5
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
9
0 / 5 (0.0%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 5 / 5 (100.0%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
0 / 5 (0.0%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. No detected author names are currently linked to an author already present in AutiHub. Distinct people identified as autistic: 0 / 5 (0.0%).
  1. Lorna Wing (1997). The Autistic Spectrum: A Guide for Parents and Professionals .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1485083263
    OpenAlex
  2. (n.d.). Bretherton, L. 2010. Hospitality as Holiness: Christian Witness amid Moral Diversity. Farnham: Ashgate.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  3. Stephen Pickard (2009). Theological Foundations for Collaborative Ministry . Routledge.
    Type: Book DOI: 10.4324/9786612344633 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2887778398
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Luke Bretherton (2006). Hospitality as Holiness: Christian Witness Amid Moral Diversity .
    Type: Article OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1492155458
    OpenAlex
  5. (n.d.). Drane, J. 2000. The McDonaldization of the Church. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  6. Jo Pearson (2017). ‘Witchcraft will not soon Vanish from this Earth’: Wicca in the 21st Century . In Predicting Religion (pp. 170-182). Routledge.
    Type: Book chapter DOI: 10.4324/9781315246161-15 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2904962336
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Kathryn A. Labosh (2009). Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community . Journal of Religion, Disability & Health, 13(2), 151-151. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/15228960902743748 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1662208633
    OpenAlex
  8. (n.d.). McKinney, P. 2000. The Church. Birmingham: Maryvale Institute.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  9. (n.d.). Pennington, M. Basil. 1995. "Transforming Being: Centering Prayer and the Contemplative Path." In E. R. Elder (ed.),The Contemplative Path: Reflections on Recovering a Lost Tradition. Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  10. (n.d.). Reynolds, T. 2008. Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality. Wheaton, IL: Brazos.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  11. (n.d.). Walsh, M., A. Walsh and W. Gaventa. 2008. Autism and Faith: A Journey into Community. New Jersey, NY: The Elizabeth Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities/Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  12. (n.d.). Wing, L. 2003. The Autistic Spectrum: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. London: Constable & Robinson.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  13. (n.d.). Wiseman, J. A. 2006. Spirituality and Mysticism. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
    Type: Other
    Crossref