What My Child With Autism Taught Me- Steve Bundy

A disability like autism must be taken very seriously – a recent study indicates that less than 1 in 100 births result in a diagnosis of autism and estimates indicate that 1 in 70 boys and 1 in 315 girls have an autism. Boys are significantly more affected than girls. In fact, the Center for Disease Control considers that autism spectrum disorders, as they are called, are an urgent public health concern. If you do not have someone in your immediate family with autism, you more than likely know someone in your circle of friends.

Steve Bundy is the Vice President of Joni and Friends. As Vice-President, Steve oversees The Christian Institute on Disability as well as International Outreach at Joni and Friends International Disability Center. The Institute is the educational and public policy arm of Joni and Friends collaborating with universities and seminaries across the U.S. and around the world. The International Outreach Department oversees over 60 outreaches of Joni and Friends into 30 different countries every year. Steve is a published author and contributor to Life In The Balance: Biblical Answers For The Issues Of Our Day. He is co-executive producer with Joni Eareckson Tada of the Telly Award winning television episodes, Making Sense Of Autism: Myths That Hide The Truth and Truth For The Church.

Steve has served as adjunct professor at The Master’s College and has lectured on disabilities ministry at educational institutions and conferences around the world. He frequently appears on Joni and Friends television episodes, national radio and has written articles for Christianity Today, Charisma Magazine, Focus on the Family and more. Steve and his wife Melissa know firsthand about the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. Their son, Caleb was born with a chromosome deletion which resulted in a global delay and a secondary diagnosis of autism. Recognizing the need to help parents navigate the complicated world of disability while maintaining a healthy home, the launched the ministry “In His Image” to provide emotional, social, physical and spiritual support. He holds a B.A. in Theology and Missions, a Certificate of Apologetics and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership. He and Melissa along with son Jaron are in studio to share insights and reflections.