Hopko’s 32nd maxim, ‘Never bring attention to yourself’, does not mean ‘never speak of your needs’ or ‘always hide your autism’. It is about not seeking the spotlight – praise, drama, special status – rather than about disappearing. You are free, and sometimes obliged, to say ‘I’m autistic’, ‘I need less noise’, or ‘I can’t do that role’. What the maxim warns against is arranging conversations, piety, or suffering so that you are the centre of the story. For autistic Christians in church, it means seeking only those accommodations that are necessary with as little fuss as possible.
Because autistic people are often either ignored or singled out, this maxim can be painful if misunderstood. Living it well may look like explaining your needs once, clearly, and then letting people respond, rather than repeatedly restating them to force a particular reaction; sharing your gifts in ways that serve the community rather than showcase your brilliance; and noticing when you are tempted to turn every conversation back to your own experiences, and instead gently asking others about theirs. At the same time, you are not called to accept invisibility; you may need to insist, sometimes firmly, on basic respect and access. The inner question is, ‘Am I doing this to love God and neighbour, or mainly to be seen, praised, pitied, or declared special?’
Practically, you might apply this maxim by:
- Letting some good deeds and sacrifices stay wholly unmentioned, even online.
- Resisting the urge to post every spiritual thought, meltdown, or injustice for immediate public reaction.
- Choosing, when possible, to dress and behave in church in ways that do not add unnecessary sensory or visual noise for others, while still honouring your own sensory needs.
Lived this way, ‘Never bring attention to yourself’ becomes a protection, not an erasure. It guards you from the exhaustion of constantly managing how others see you, and it frees you to pay attention to Christ and the people and creatures he has given you to love.
No comments:
Post a Comment