Brett Webb-Mitchell

I read this for Autism Awareness Month because it was tagged by many with the "autism" tag. In reality, only a few chapters dealt specifically with kids with autism. Indeed,, Webb-Mitchell's understandings of autism seemed limited and understandably a bit outdated (given that the book was published in 1993). However, I think there are principles discussed throughout the book which can apply to kids with autism.

Webb-Mitchell is an ordained pastor who has always had a special interest in how disabled children experience God and spirituality. His experiences demonstrate religious awareness in disabled kids whom society (and, unfortunately all too often, the church) dismiss as lacking the capacity for religious awareness.

The best part of this book are the stories he tells about the kids. Occasionally, Webb-Mitchell's commentary felt a little tedious, but he made some good points.

The focus here is mainly on conventional Judeo-Christian religious traditions; though some of the youngsters had understandings of those concepts that might seem "strange" to traditional thinkers, there was little here of any alternative spirituality.

Good food for thought for religious leaders and others in churches and synagogues who would like to open their congregations to meaningful ministry with people with disabilities.… (mer)