The autism population is one of the fastest growing populations within the U.S. with one in five individuals being autistic. Their world is often one of isolation and loneliness. God’s desire is for all to come to Him, and this class will help begin this process. Learners in this course will be answering God’s calling to minister to a marginalized population and giving hope to a population that needs hope.
To earn .5 CEUs and a completion certificate, 4 daily Blackboard forums will be required along with one Zoom meeting, held on Monday from 6-9 pm Eastern time. The meeting will not be recorded. Learners not interested in the CEU and certificate are welcome to participate in just the Zoom session.
Learners will need to obtain this book: Autism and the Church by Barbara J. Newman, Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbalm, and I See Things Differently: A First Look at Autism by Pat Thomas.
This course is eligible for 0.5 CEU.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 1
Price: $65
CEUs: 0.5
Required books: Yes
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: Yes, required
Certification or Series: No
Read course description for details.
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Price: $65
About the Instructor
David Quel’s passions are ministry and the special needs community. He has worked in ministry for more than 25 years as a youth director and in pastoral care. In addition to a master’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University, he earned a master’s certificate in autism studies from Seton Hill University, a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in education from Liberty University. He recently finished his dissertation on incorporating special needs families into the life of the church, and David continually tries to find new ways to help the autistic community be more welcomed within the church community. He and his wife are parents of three autistic young men and rarely encounter a situation they have not seen. They are acutely aware of the struggles of getting their children involved in church life.
