Autism

[Plutonian]

So my situation is that at my church there is an autistic child there. He is six years old... I have no idea what degree of autism he has or really anything about him. I am a sixteen year-old youth member at the church, and because our congregation is so small I volunteer in the Kidszone (some may know it as sunday school). Actually just yesterday I had my first encounter with him (It seems his parents don't come often because of his condition). Yesterday the lady who is in charge tried to give him some sort of squishy ball... she said it would be something for him to hold on to. When she gave it to him he threw it and continued to scream and push back against his parents (who were trying to get him to go into the room). His parents became frustrated and told him they were going home (i'm not sure if they were truly frustrated or if they were trying to threaten him to behave). I don't know what happened after that since I had to go take care of the other children (who at this point were completely ignoring their lesson and staring at the autistic child). Later I saw him in the area for the very little kids (newborn to age 2 I believe). It seems that he is more comfortable in there (probably because he is used to going there?).
So on to my question...
Is there any way that we could help him feel more comfortable in the other room?
or is it "better" to let him continue staying in the younger room where he is more comfortable?

[MomofEmma]

Perhaps I can shed some light on this as my youngest babe is autistic.
What I have learned over the years is that my daughter does not handle change. Everything has it's place and purpose in Emma's world. If something is different, i.e. a routine or perhaps even a different person she finds it difficult to cope.
Intensive home therapy has given Emma tools to cope with change in a way that is less stressful but you can still see she's anxious. Autistic children have their comfort and safe zones that they gravitate to. It isn't bad behavior or bad attitude, it's just their overwhelming need to be safe.
This little boy you speak of is probably reacting to the change. If this is not the room he is accustomed to then chances are he will react negatively...he's afraid, frustrated that he can't cope.
I think in part that they do to some degree understand that they can't cope or articulate their feelings, or at least Emma can.
With perseverance, and I mean a TON of perseverance he may very well become settled in a different place...these things take time and patience...