34: Autism & Healing Series: Who Decided Neurotypical Means Whole?

When Christians talk about autism and healing, what exactly do we mean by healed?

Sometimes we picture something dramatic: autistic today, non-autistic tomorrow. And underneath that picture can be an assumption we may not even realize we're making: autistic means something is not whole, less autistic means becoming more whole, and non-autistic means healed.

But who decided neurotypical means whole? Because I don't think Scripture did.

In Part 3 of the Autism & Healing series, we're examining what Scripture actually teaches about wholeness, redemption, resurrection, growth, and Christlikeness—and why those categories matter for how we disciple our autistic children today.

God can grow my son. He can mature him, develop his communication, give him new skills, relieve distress, provide wise doctors and therapists, deepen friendships, grow his independence, and sanctify him. And I can praise God for every bit of that without interpreting every new skill as Graham becoming "less autistic."

God's work does not become less divine because He works through ordinary means.

Because if I make neurotypicality the goal, I can accidentally celebrate masking as maturity, exhaustion as participation, compliance as discipleship, or silence as regulation.

I need a better target.

Christlikeness.

Scriptures Referenced

Romans 3:23

Ephesians 2