JESUS SHOWS COMPASSION FOR ASD!
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Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
"At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd." (Mt. 9:36-10:8)
Last night, I put my children to bed and prayed with them individually. My son was a ball of giggles, barely able to get his words out. My daughter needed affection before bed and just as I was leaving said, “Mommy, I wish I could see God.” I laughed and said, “Baby, so do I!” I like to think the Lord got a chuckle from my littles that night; surely He has a sense of humor.
The gospel of Matthew 9:36 begins with a compassionate Jesus contemplating the plight of the people. They were disenfranchised, ill, suffering, and forgotten about, but not by Jesus nor his disciples. In fact, He put the 12 to work on assignments of mercy!
This is the point where I reveal that my children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When my son was about 6 months old, I told my husband that I thought something was wrong. Then the ASD diagnosis came. My husband and I were devastated. I mourned the future I dreamed for him. I prayed and wailed and asked God, “why?” I was angry with no idea of what to do next to help my son. Three years later, his sister was born. When her diagnosis came, I didn’t cry. I asked God to show me how to shepherd these children and for the energy and patience to keep going.
Nationwide, there is a critical shortage of early interventionists for children. Black children, in particular, are disproportionately impacted by this. According to “Still Left Behind: Fewer Black School-Aged Youth Receive ASD Diagnoses Compared to White Youth,” a peer-reviewed article published by the National Library of Medicine, Black children receive later diagnoses than peers of other ethnic groups, despite there being no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the disorder among various populations. The reasons for this are many. At the familial level, parents may fear the process due to the country’s history of dubious medical practices. Institutionally, bias in teachers and medical professionals who have the training to identify and initiate testing could label these children, who need assistance, as simply having behavioral problems. Whatever the cause, late diagnoses (and the subsequent lack of vital early intervention services) are associated with greater future emotional dysregulation and behavioral troubles.
I feel blessed that both of my children were diagnosed by age 3 and received such interventions. My son is now 9 (Cade) and still clinically nonverbal. My daughter is 6 (Mazikeen) and intellectually gifted, but suffers under the weight of her social delays. What makes me most proud is that both know and have their own relationship with God.
They, and the parents of children like them, are my assignment. In the spirit of Titus 2:3-4, which calls us to model faith and train those coming after us, I see my experiences as a guide to encourage and walk alongside other families on similar journeys.
When Jesus relayed to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” I thought of my community. God’s grace is unceasing in its abundance. Who is doing the labor for this most precious community? Jesus saw that something needed to be done and took action. Jesus shows compassion for ASD!
As parents, it is at the center of our purpose to guide our children toward the Kingdom of God. It doesn’t serve the children, whom God cherishes, to give up on this assignment due to meltdowns and a lack of words. I cannot say that I have been granted authority to heal as Jesus’ disciples were, but in my discipleship, I try to ease burdens. I share my hard-learned lessons with other parents. I share resources and strategies.
Regardless of limitations a child with special needs may have, there is dignity in teaching them the Gospel. I, too, get tired. It would have been easier to decide that my children don’t have the capacity to understand or know God, but that would be neglectful of my duties. Before my children could speak, they could sing, so we sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children," every morning to start our day.
Before bedtime, we open our brightly colored children’s Bible and read with a level of theatrics that would leave Viola Davis in awe. Most importantly, even when they couldn’t join me, I prayed aloud over them. The day my son spontaneously finished my prayers was met with tears, but of joy this time. I praised when my daughter said, “Let me do it,” and proceeded to deliver a flawless “Hail Mary.”
As the product of education guided by Sisters of St. Francis, I have always held compassion and a strong sense of justice for those who live life in the margins. Disabled members of our Church deserve the opportunity to learn and grow in their spirituality; however, it may show up. Likewise, they deserve to know the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus shows compassion for ASD!
So, what is your assignment of mercy?
Author: Iyana Turner-Vance is a native Detroiter who moved to Washington, DC, in 2014 to pursue a career in education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in Japanese language and culture from Wayne State University. Currently serving as the Director of Operations for Pax Christi USA in her fourth year, Iyana also brings her leadership to the board of Washington, DC AmeriCorps Alums. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Project Management, with graduation slated for Spring 2027. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Iyana is a devoted wife and mother of three who loves exploring local museums, diving into podcasts and audiobooks, and watching international historical dramas.