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Forgotten Ones: Essay by Miya Sae


Young woman with computer, sitting on orange couch, image colors are orange, brown, and white, image by GraphicMama-team, on Pixabay, modified.




















woman with computer,

image by GraphicMama-team, on Pixabay, modified





Forgotten Ones


You know those awesome moments when you hear church leaders and Christian influencers take the time during their message to be inclusive of autistic people,

and speak to their unique gifts and challenges?


I don’t.


I’ve never seen that happen.


Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean it never happens. But if anything,

it seems extremely rare. Autism and neurodiversity aren’t things most people

think about, and the most well-intentioned preachers are no exception. And

when people do think about autism, unfortunately, they frequently think of

myths and stereotypes. Somehow, there is still so much misinformation in

this day and age and it has only recently started to get pushback.


But that’s a different conversation.


What does this mean for Christians? I almost guarantee that there are autistic

people in your church. Maybe you don’t know they’re autistic. Maybe they don’t

know it yet themselves, like I didn’t for most of my life. Many people, especially

females, aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.


It can be hard to tell, when we become really good at masking or if we don’t fit

into the infamous, stereotypical “Rain Man” image.


The result of negligence in the church is that we can feel invisible, invalid, or like

we’re extra bad sinners because we’re different. A common trait is that we tend

to hyperfixate on things and develop special interests. The church often frowns

upon this. The things we love are called “meaningless,” and sinful by extension.

A preacher may say things like, “Video games, TV, manga, etc., are a waste of

time and don’t glorify God.” But what does that communicate to neurodivergent

people whose special interests frequently are video games, TV, and manga?

What if God actually is glorified through those things? What if we connect with

Him uniquely through them?


These messages are usually well-meaning, and the speakers probably aren’t

thinking about individuals who are different from their overwhelmingly

neurotypical crowd. Regardless, these negative messages can cause us to feel

like we have to stop doing everything that isn’t spiritual or evangelical (excluding,

of course, the hobbies that are socially acceptable within church culture and

society as a whole, like sports). We start believing that we have to “repent” of

our literal neurology.


I tried to live like this at one point, and wanted to scream and die because I

couldn’t do it.


Okay, so I’m not gonna watch any TV. Not gonna play any games. Not gonna go

on social media. You know what? How about NO screen time unless it’s to read

the Bible. No reading in general unless it’s a Christian book. No socializing unless

it’s a church activity or unless I’m actively trying to evangelize. No fiction. Can’t

even THINK about fictional characters. No daydreaming. Can’t go out and exercise because that will inevitably lead to daydreaming, and that’s not allowed.


Okay, okay… I read my Bible for a long time, I went to church, so now I’m sitting

here, not doing anything meaningless, not thinking about anything… not doing… anything.


Hmm… I wonder what Kakashi from Naruto would do in a scenario where—

NO! Stop it, brain! Okay, thinking about God again… Oh, remember that part

on Pokémon Mystery Dungeon where—STOP. IT. Evil, meaningless thoughts!


Forgive me, God. I’m disgusting. Please don’t cancel my salvation. I beg of You.


If anything, I’m understating that season of my life. Regardless of neurology,

I don’t know if anyone can honestly live like that. Maybe monks and nuns. But

the rest of us laypeople? I would have a hard time believing someone if they

claimed to be successfully living this kind of life. I would also feel sad for them.

Before I knew I was autistic, I believed there was something seriously wrong

with me because no one else I knew “struggled” in these ways (at least, no one

was willing to admit it). But things like hyperfixation and special interests aren’t

exclusive to autism. And it’s actually okay to enjoy life. I usually love to turn to

Ecclesiastes to fight against toxic theology in this area, but recently I’ve been

looking to Colossians as well:


“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels,

going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous

mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished

and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is

from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as

if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle,

Do not taste, Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—

according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance

of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the

body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

(Colossians 2:18-23)


Paul actually speaks against trying to live in extreme self-denial like I was in the past.

It’s crazy how I missed that, even with all my intense Bible reading at the time.


"Let no one disqualify you."


Jesus is sufficient. Legalistic living does nothing except prevent us from holding fast

to the Head. And, more often than not, it makes us proud. To be clear, I’ve had really

good church experiences for the most part. I love the church I’m in, as well as

ministries I’ve been involved with in the past. I have nothing but respect for my

church leaders. But that’s the thing: if I still picked up toxic and misleading messages

as an autistic in positive church environments, I can’t even imagine how it is for other neurodivergent Christians who haven’t been so lucky.


God loves us and the brains He gave us. We are His creation—His diverse masterpiece.

He wants us to enjoy the gifts He gives us. A good parent who gives their child a toy wouldn’t turn around and say, “Why are you wasting time with that meaningless thing? Throw it away! You ought to be ashamed!” Different context, but Matthew 7 could arguably be used here.


“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

(Matthew 7:11)


Church, we need to do better. I include myself in that because I also am always

continuing to learn. However… Be careful as you search for information about autism.

There are a bunch of stereotypes and harmful propaganda out there, wishing to erase

us from existence and promoting traumatizing practices that force us to act more neurotypical. Instead, listen to real autistic people. Support their content. Read their memoirs. Utilize resources they recommend. Let them reflect God’s glory to you in

different and unique ways.


Some sources I recommend are:




Autistic Christians exist. We want to grow in the Lord just as much as you do.

Please don’t forget about us.



Miya Sae





[Editor’s note: Spirit Fire Review does not represent or endorse these organizations,

but is glad to share resources that may be of use.]


________________________________


Miya Sae (MEE-yuh SAI) is an autistic Christian,

a blogger, and an aspiring author. Diagnosed at

age 26, she has become an autism supporter and strives to bring hope and encouragement to other misunderstood, neurodivergent Christians like

herself. Miya became a willing Christian at age 14 after a dramatic and unforgettable encounter with God. Since then she has been passionate about sharing the love of Christ with anyone who desires

to listen. She believes in fighting shame that often comes with religious legalism and replacing it with Christ and who He is. Miya strives to contribute to bridging the neglected gap between autism and Christianity.

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