*I am an Autistic who is also an Episcopalian and Christian. This blog post is some suggestions I am putting forth for other Autistics who might observe Lent. This post is not an attempt on my part to proselytize anyone to convert you to my religious beliefs or practices. If you are an atheist or someone who does not practice Christianity this blog post does not apply to you. If you want to read it, please do. If you prefer not to, that is okay too.
One of the great challenges for many Autistics is the changing of routines. For Autistics such as myself the routine changes of Lent can be more than a matter of penance. The many routine changes can bring on sensory processing stress for Autistics and other Neurodivergents that can be dealt with if we only try some steps that work with our unique neurology.
Some times changing one routine a day can be easier than trying to change them all in one day for forty days. For example, one might be tempted to remove oneself from all social media platforms for the 40 day period. Yet, for many Autistics, social media platforms are an outlet that allows them the needed amount of social contact to feel connected to others without going too far. Therefore, one way to do this is to limit one's amount of time on social media. Instead of being on social media platforms for let's say six hours a day, maybe cut that time down to only three hours. Yet, if one feels the need for more because of whatever their stressors are doing? One might just as easily spend up to six hours on social media, but, a little less time watching their favorite movies, or listening to their favorite music. Time spent stimming or fidgeting can become a time of silent prayer. Therefore, a little extra time fidgeting or stimming to help fill the social media void might help. If you are wanting to perhaps give up eating meat on Fridays, but cannot handle the texture of fish or vegetables, maybe something with pasta might work better. If giving up meat altogether is a big problem for the Autistic, one might try eating only one or two of their preferred meat dishes and leave one other out.
One of the anxiety-inducers that can affect Autistics who are Christian and celebrate Lent as I do, is post-traumatic stress disorders from spiritual directors and/or pastors who were abusive with them in the past. One of the projects that could help is that instead of giving something up, use that time to process some of the events with some additional therapy time, or doing what we call "That was then and this is now" self medicating.
One of the things that I have learned over the years about Lent is that sometimes changing the little things can do more for you then trying to give up one whole thing for the entire season. Giving up sugar in the coffee for one breakfast meal while still enjoying a doughnut (even though we are suppose to not eat butter and fat during Lent) is better than trying to give up the doughnuts for 40 days.
Lastly, many years ago I learned a powerful lesson. Forgiving myself can be the hardest thing to do, but very necessary for my mental and spiritual health. So, I spent some time with my PTSD in prayer with the words "forgive as we forgive." It was a time of forgiving others who harmed me, and myself for not doing more to prevent them from harming me, and realizing that I was being who I am, I just didn't realize who I was at the time. Exercises like this, can do more for our souls than trying to spend forty days without one of our favorite hobbies thinking we are growing in faith, when all we are really doing is bringing more harm to ourselves than what we have already been through.
If you really cannot make it to a church service because of PTSD stressors, or because of crowds and the like, give yourself permission to spend some time alone being with someone you love or to do what you need to to feel safe and comfortable. It is okay even wonderful to be Autistic. God is big enough and loving enough to understand and be with you during this time.
