high functioning

[jewels8]

I know someone who has special needs, has a mental condition he was born with. He is highly intelligent in many ways, is baptized, but in other ways needs help in activities of daily living and dealing with his anxieties, focusing issues, etc.  We are taught that those who have disabilities, such as Down's Syndrome, autism, are perhaps automatically saved in the kingdom of God, to the highest degree, in exaltation.  And yet, I am not sure if this is truly 100% doctrine for each person.  There is such a wide range of understanding and not understanding among people that fall into this category.  Some have no concept, or not enough, and do not require baptism, as they will not understand what covenants they are making and the significance of it enough, and so will I believe, be able to have that blessing when the Lord makes them whole (in His own due time and by His wisdom)  I wonder what will a high functioning person with, say autism or a disability like that, be judged on?  (it may be obvious in some ways)  but what does he or she need to repent of versus how do they know what they know if their anxieties, fears get in the way.  By being guided by the Spirit, parents can help them and help them to know how to guide themselves, but they seem to get confused more than someone who may not have those issues.  How can they know what they need to work on and what they can just have peace about?  How can we help others not to teach them that they don't need to repent , that they are saved automatically, even if they are high functioning and not severely disabled mentally?  

5

[Jane_Doe]

I'm not completely clear on your question here.  

You asked " How can they know what they need to work on and what they can just have peace about?  " but you supplied the answer to that same question the sentence before: by being guided by the Spirit.  

Your question: "How can we help others not to teach them that they don't need to repent , that they are saved automatically, even if they are high functioning and not severely disabled mentally?"-- We need to focus on listening to Spirit on how to parent this individual.  It is not our place as outsiders to make any categorical judgement.  

 

 

[Anddenex]

We are taught that those who have disabilities, such as Down's Syndrome, autism, are perhaps automatically saved in the kingdom of God, to the highest degree, in exaltation.

This depends on whether or not they are "alive" in Christ as with little children (innocent). As we are judged, they will be judged if their accountability is no longer among the innocent (little children). I worked as a seminary teacher for children with special needs. All except one student, at least from my perspective, would be "alive" (innocent) in Christ, and indeed would be received in paradise and then the Celestial kingdom.

One of the students was higher functioning, but when reasoned with one could easily tell their understanding (their lens) was still through the lens of a child.

I wonder what will a high functioning person with, say autism or a disability like that, be judged on?

If accountable, they will be judged according to what they can know, and what they can understand. I have a nephew that is higher functioning, and it is obvious that he lacks certain skills. I, personally, am not able to see a perfect Father in heaven judging him in the same way I would be judged. He will be judged according to his ability to learn, and understand opposites and commandments. I have a hard time seeing him anywhere save paradise and Celestial kingdom, but that is just me.

The parable of the talents enters my heart and mind. Some are given 5, some are given 2, some are given 1 (and probably some given 4 and 3). The point being, no matter the number of talents, it is important that we increase them.

How can they know what they need to work on and what they can just have peace about?  How can we help others not to teach them that they don't need to repent , that they are saved automatically, even if they are high functioning and not severely disabled mentally?

Even if they are high functioning they still need to know when they have done wrong, which is repentance. If they are alive in Christ, then their choices are already covered. Like any other child we still teach, and we need the spirit to teach them. Outwardly, due to mental handicap, they might not be able to express what they are learning. Inwardly though, there spirits are learning. We still teach children, right from wrong. We make sure if they make a wrong choice they learn accountability, and the importance of saying sorry, even though they are alive in Christ. We do the same with lower or high functioning children. They still need to be taught.