Julian of Norwich and Autistic Expressions of Christian Spirituality
Spiritus: A Journal of Christian Spirituality September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1353/scs.2025.a972515 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that autistic traits such as needing solitude, intense focus, and sensory sensitivity align with Julian of Norwich's contemplative practices and spiritual authorship. |
Abstract
Abstract:As an autistic woman, I draw on Julian’s writing and the traditions of anchoritic spirituality, women’s visionary literature, and monastic discipline to identify aspects of Julian’s life that resonate with autistic spiritual experience. I provide a critique of the deficit narrative of autism pervading psychology and theology. I examine three characteristics of autism—requiring places of solace, focus on “special interests,” and heightened sensory sensitivity—as enabling Julian to contemplate her mystical experiences and create Revelations. This essay expands our understanding of the spirituality of neurodivergent persons and grounds them in long-standing spiritual practices and monastic-anchoritic disciplines.