Sunday School is a good social learning ground for Aspies

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My heritage is Christian. My grandfather was a preacher. He had 10 kids and they were all (save one) devout Christians. The real kind, not just for show. We went to church every Sunday. Along with the formal services, we had Sunday School where everyone broke up into different age groups. Here we were taught lessons aimed at our period of development.

Don't lie; be nice to people; work hard; help the less fortunate, etc... And in my experience, it was done with love. All my Sunday School teachers were the nicest people in the world. I know I was a bit to deal with and could have just been written off as a smart ass, but they found my strengths and actively encouraged me to use them in positive ways. They helped me fit in more than anyone I can think of besides my mother - who was, on occasion, my Sunday School teacher.

The classes are usually entertaining and interactive. We had craft activities where we produced something fun, games where we could release any pent up energy, and a story/singing time where we learned these wonderful lessons on HOW TO BE. The entire time is fraught with guided social interaction. There are no bullies because the teacher/student ratio is like one to four or five and every moment is occupied.

Of course, this is my rose-colored memory. I know humans are the ones running the classes and kids can be mean. I know we all can have bad or off days- or be evil. I also know I was lucky to have gone to an exceptional church and my own family heritage just laid the foundation for everything else. I believe it's why I've been able to pass as an NT all this time.

I'm very mindful of the richness of my life - because I went to church and Sunday School. I've met some incredible people, worked alongside them. I was inspired to do great and wonderful things that now, sad to say, I don't think I would have done given what I'm seeing on this site.

My point is that churches have been doing ADA training for a long time and it doesn't cost anything to attend, though they do operate on donations so you could leave a tip - but you don't have to. Even adults have Sunday School classes. I once took a SS class about friendship that was very enlightening. Another class was about self-motivation. It's all good stuff and fairly non-confrontational. It helps if you know someone there before you go, even if you just meet with the pastor or an elder privately before attending.

You reminded me of some happy childhood experiences. Thank you.

I went to a catholic school and we had to attend mass, to be honest, it was a good excuse to catch a nap in between lessons. I don't think forcing a young child on the spectrum to a charismatic Sunday school class is the best idea, I think it's healthy for a child to question their beliefs because it will define who they are rather than exposing them to dogmatic thinking at an early age.

Mass isn't the same thing as what the OP is describing. It's more of an interactive small group session with activities and some forced socialization. They seem to focus on the good things in religion with respect to behaviors, love, etc... without getting deep into theology.

You know what? I think that this whole thread is a subtle attempt to garner support for the OP's religion. Therefore I will not contribute to the questions this thread poses.

This thread belongs in PP&R, where it can receive the attention it deserves.

Yeah I learned a lot of those things there to, only to find out most of the people at the churches I ever went to were mostly kind of hypocritical about it. Like i ended up feeling like I have to treat others how i want to be treated, work hard, but other people did not have to behave that way towards me and eventually I took it to far feeling like I must deserve people being jerks to me and just general misery because I wasn't trying hard enough...and well that fed some other issues and was not good.

But I am glad you had a more pleasant experience.

My post is about a religious institution but not about religion. You've completely missed my point. I'm sad you need to think that way, but that's your choice. I'm sure we will miss your contribution.

[Moved from Social Skills and Making Friends to PPR]

Funny how many immediately jumped on the "religious" aspect of the post, whilst ignoring the social interaction it espoused.

Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, whatever, the point of the post seems to me to be about a place to test your social skills. It might even be out of your comfort zone.

I don't think children should be exposed to intellectual pornography

Like art?

Childhood is when the roots of fundamentalism are often hammered into the malleable and innocent brain of a young human.

Maybe the whole reason the OP did not post it in this section was to avoid making people jump to that conclusion... or to avoid the religious debate it will probably spiral into even quicker here than it would have in the social skills forum. just a thought, I could be wrong though.

I went to Sunday school briefly but didn't get on very well with it. I asked too many questions and got too many dumb answers. Not a good place for young enquiring minds.

Sunday School is great as a "free" (small donation requested) alternative to pre-school.
Kids learn to stay in a seat, raise their hand to speak, listen to the teacher, and follow directions.
It's good preparation for kindergarten.
Also, kids that age don't get much in the way of a theology lesson. Mostly it's just "Jesus loves you", and even that goes over their heads.