Community

Community is a very important part of our lives. We live in a community, we grow up in a community, we socialize in our community and we count on people in our community.

Amberlea Church is part of the Amberlea community and we have relationships with many different people and organizations in our community. We come together to help each other in our community.  

 Our F.A.C.E group is an extension of this community. Although there are many “autism” communities (many being on-line), we are so blessed to have families that we support as part of our Amberlea community. 

 Many times families who support individuals with autism are fearful of their community. They feel that nobody understands what they are going through and they also may have reservations about being a part of regular activities in a community. Some are afraid to take their children out to public places, while others do this very little to avoid any negative reactions from people. To be honest, I was like this a very long time ago. As I look back now, I had so much stress about doing regular activities like sports or recreation groups, even church because of the way in which people would respond or look. I would often contemplate not going to a function because of this and there were many times when I didn’t. 

 I am happy to say that I haven’t felt this way in such a long time. Even back then, I did venture out into the community for many things. I had many positive encounters as well as many negative encounters with people. That never stopped me from wanting our kids to be part of their community.

Our family has come such a long way! Not because of our own doing, but because we had people who were willing to walk beside us and support us no matter what. I have had many pleasant conversations with people who don’t understand autism at all, but who have an open mind and are willing to help in whatever way possible. We also have God on our side helping us each step of the way.

Now I deal with people who are afraid to take their children out and I talk to them lovingly. I am always happy to reinforce what they are doing and I always point out to parents, positive things about their child. I have met some totally awesome people that I never would have met if autism had not come into our lives and for that I am truly grateful to call many of these people my friends. 

F.A.C.E. is a part of the Amberlea Community and in extension Amberlea Church. I remember coming to Amberlea a long time ago and although they did not have all the answers about how to help us worship, they were willing to help and support our family. For that I will be forever and always grateful. I strive to pass this feeling onto others that I meet as well. I want all children to be included no matter what their situation may be.

 We are all part of God’s “community”, which is the church and the people and the relationships that we have with each other.

 “How pleasant is it when God’s people live together in unity.
There is a special kind of joy that we experience when we are together in unity
with other believers.”    Psalm 133:1-3

Shelly Wedge 
Exceptional Family Ministries Coordinator
Amberlea Church

What Does Summer Mean?

What does summer mean to someone on the autism spectrum?

This is a great question and I bet if you asked a few individuals with autism, you would most likely get different answers.

Summer is a great time for a break, a different schedule or no schedule at all. Most importantly in my humble opinion, it is a time for a person with autism to rest. I am not talking about sleep (although it does include sleep), but I am talking about actually resting for the brain, the mind, the soul.

If you know someone with autism, you may understand that their brain works differently than a neuro typical person. It is always “on the go” so to speak. It moves at a very fast pace and it takes a lot to slow it down. You have to be intentional about this. But it is important to let it rest, to let it slow down. The summer is the perfect time to let this happen.

I don’t know what anyone actually has to gain by crowding too many things into a day or going so fast that you don’t get to enjoy what you are doing. I have come to this realization through meltdowns and a lot of unhappy times.

Summer for my children, means “time-off” from everything and taking the time to do fun activities or just nothing at all.

Perhaps this may sound boring to some people, but it really works. Our son, in particular, just likes having the freedom that the summer offers. This summer we have had the privilege of seeing three live theatre shows which were all totally awesome! Autism has taught our family to slow down, spend time doing fun things or just spend time being together doing nothing at all. 

Since we go to our cottage, we do the typical cottage things like swimming, paddle boarding and boating.  We love going for walks and playing games. We also watch tons and tons of movies!!!! It’s amazing! We do try to read more books and our son loves to take photographs so that happens a lot as well.

If you ask our son where he wants to go in the summer, the cottage will always be his answer. It’s his favorite place on the planet and if he had the choice to go anywhere in the world this would always be his choice. I’m with him because I feel exactly the same way!

Rest and rejuvenation are a concept that God wants us to embrace. God rested on the 7th day.

I love Matthew 11:28,

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Even though summer is almost over, I feel that we should always remember to take guidance in God’s example of resting - minds and bodies. 

Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Family Ministries Coordinator
Amberlea Church

Summer

We are full swing into the summer. Summer is my absolute favorite season!  I love the sun and the warmth. I love all of the outdoor activities and I love spending time at the cottage. If you asked me where I would like to go anywhere in the world, I would tell you the cottage. It is peaceful and I love the laid back lifestyle that it offers. When I’m here it’s like nothing else exists. Being in nature and getting to spend quality time with family is priceless.

For our children, it is so different for both of them. Our son absolutely loves it up here. He will talk about it all year long as he loves it the same way that I do. Our daughter, well, not as much. She doesn’t spend a lot of time up here and although she does like a few outdoor activities, she would rather be inside. It demonstrates that people with autism are so totally different and that is a good thing! 

For our children, I think the summer is a good time. For our daughter, it is good that she is at home without me as it gives her a chance to be more independent because there is no other choice. If you don’t do your laundry, it’s not getting done. I like this aspect because I feel that with space, more growth can happen for her and quite frankly it is good to separate sometimes from each other. I think it makes us appreciate each other more.

For our son, he loves nature and the outdoors. Although this summer, it has been a little difficult as he has been a little under the weather the first few days. I do enjoy getting to spend time with him to focus on some more skills like cooking and things to increase his self-awareness and independence. This is truly important going into the future and I am grateful that I have this time in the summer to do these things.

When I pray for both of my children, the prayers are different. I always ask God to guide me to foster their growth and independence. I want them to know how much they are loved and how valued they are as people. I also pray for their relationship with God. When your children have autism, spiritual things sometimes have to be explained in another way. I ask God’s guidance in this matter so that I can be a good role model to both of them and that they will be able to see how important it is to have God in your life.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Mark 8:35-36

 In Mark 8:35-36 Jesus says that our soul has great value. I want this, not only for my children, but for all children.

 Take time today to remember to pray for your children or grandchildren or any children whom you are close to. Pray for their souls.

 Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Family Ministries Coordinator
Amberlea Church

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash