Abstract:
This thesis seeks to investigate, through bibliographical research, how Pastoral Counseling can offer help to people’s families with Autism - ASD - from the Theology of the Cross. This research intend to investigate the theme Autism and the impact it causes in families. It is intended to understand the paths that Pastoral Counseling has pointed out to contribute in situations such as this, and, especially, how the Theology of the Cross can bring elements that collaborate for Pastoral Counseling to develop its assistance to families. At first, the theme of Autism is addressed in two parts. The first one deals with the theme Autism: conceptualization, history, diagnosis, etiology and treatment; the second one presents the impact that Autism causes on families, through reports and ascertainments. In a second moment, families of people with autism examined Pastoral Counseling. It is verified the theme of pastoral counseling, pastoral care, disability (including vulnerability and human dignity) and systemic counseling. It comes to the the heart of this second chapter which deals specifically with Pastoral Counseling for families with children with Autism: Counseling and care, spiritual care, church care, family care, government and social care, and finally, the reciprocity that exists in the take care. In a third moment, the Theology of the Cross is examined. It is primarily about human suffering, then, the development of the Theology of the Cross is worked out: beginning with the cross, passing through Jesus, Paul, and getting in Martin Luther. The discussion focuses on the central aspects of the so-called Theology of the Cross - absconded God, life by faith and life under the cross. Finally, there is a perspective of the combination of Pastoral Counseling and Cross Theology in favor of counseling families who have children within the ASD. The research is based on the central elements of the Theology of the Cross, a few notes are made together to Pastoral Counseling in helping these families, in order to help them, strengthen them and assist them. To end the thesis, highlighting the Theology of the cross and its fruits. The research shows an enormous need on the part of the families with children inside the ASD, of accompaniment and aid in the pastoral area. The research indicates that Pastoral Counseling has tools that can be useful in this process of helping and strengthening families, and that the Theology of the Cross has elements that can collaborate so that the families can have a better confrontation of the situation.
