A Temple Prayer

By: Tiffany Tan ASP Board Secretary

Temple confessed she didn’t like church. But fortunately, the organ in church she was attending was according to her “wonderful”. But if the church had a band and played loud instruments, she might not be able to tolerate the sounds. She continued her lecture, occasionally gulping water in between paragraphs.

“I think like Google for images. I have to see pictures in my mind… We need to make accommodations for them (referring to people on the spectrum),” said Temple Grandin during a lecture series for MIND Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

“Now how do I think about abstract concepts, like what the Lord’s Prayer meant? I went to a little speech therapy school, and was taught the Lord’s Prayer. I had absolutely no idea what the prayer meant - Thou art in Heaven - I didn’t know what that meant. I thought that God was up in heaven painting on an easel. The only part that I understood was the Power and the Glory.

Temple showed a picture of a rainbow, with an electrical tower at the base of the rainbow. “Now, that is the Power and the Glory.”

Power and Glory, as pictured in Temple's mind

Autism Sunday

The first Autism Sunday was held in the second week of 2002 Autism Awareness Year in United Kingdom at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Autism Sunday is also known as the International Day of prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Founders, Ivan and Charika Corea, initiated the first event, urging church leaders and leaders of religious organizations around the world to speak up for PWAs.

Since then, every 2nd week of February is Autism Sunday. Coincidentally, this year, it falls on the 14th, which is also Valentine’s Day.

What to do for Autism Sunday?

1. Come together with family and friends. Pray for the families of children with autism who are undergoing struggles and acceptance. Click here for more.

2. Be sensitive to families of children with autism. Avoid remarks like “Children here are all ‘normal’. Why do you send your child (with autism) here in Sunday School?”

3. Organize or host an Understanding Autism Orientation in your fellowship or small groups and invite people to join. (For requests email us at autismphils@gmail.com)

4. Give FREE hugs and hearts to children with autism. Show you care.

Happy Autism Sunday!

Posted in: 4pwas