/** * Theme functions and definitions * * @package HelloElementor */ if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) { exit; // Exit if accessed directly. } define( 'HELLO_ELEMENTOR_VERSION', '3.4.4' ); define( 'EHP_THEME_SLUG', 'hello-elementor' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_PATH', get_template_directory() ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_URL', get_template_directory_uri() ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_PATH', HELLO_THEME_PATH . '/assets/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_URL', HELLO_THEME_URL . '/assets/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_SCRIPTS_PATH', HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_PATH . 'js/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_SCRIPTS_URL', HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_URL . 'js/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_STYLE_PATH', HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_PATH . 'css/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_STYLE_URL', HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_URL . 'css/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_IMAGES_PATH', HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_PATH . 'images/' ); define( 'HELLO_THEME_IMAGES_URL', HELLO_THEME_ASSETS_URL . 'images/' ); if ( ! isset( $content_width ) ) { $content_width = 800; // Pixels. } if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_setup' ) ) { /** * Set up theme support. * * @return void */ function hello_elementor_setup() { if ( is_admin() ) { hello_maybe_update_theme_version_in_db(); } if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_register_menus', true ) ) { register_nav_menus( [ 'menu-1' => esc_html__( 'Header', 'hello-elementor' ) ] ); register_nav_menus( [ 'menu-2' => esc_html__( 'Footer', 'hello-elementor' ) ] ); } if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_post_type_support', true ) ) { add_post_type_support( 'page', 'excerpt' ); } if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_add_theme_support', true ) ) { add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails' ); add_theme_support( 'automatic-feed-links' ); add_theme_support( 'title-tag' ); add_theme_support( 'html5', [ 'search-form', 'comment-form', 'comment-list', 'gallery', 'caption', 'script', 'style', 'navigation-widgets', ] ); add_theme_support( 'custom-logo', [ 'height' => 100, 'width' => 350, 'flex-height' => true, 'flex-width' => true, ] ); add_theme_support( 'align-wide' ); add_theme_support( 'responsive-embeds' ); /* * Editor Styles */ add_theme_support( 'editor-styles' ); add_editor_style( 'editor-styles.css' ); /* * WooCommerce. */ if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_add_woocommerce_support', true ) ) { // WooCommerce in general. add_theme_support( 'woocommerce' ); // Enabling WooCommerce product gallery features (are off by default since WC 3.0.0). // zoom. add_theme_support( 'wc-product-gallery-zoom' ); // lightbox. add_theme_support( 'wc-product-gallery-lightbox' ); // swipe. add_theme_support( 'wc-product-gallery-slider' ); } } } } add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'hello_elementor_setup' ); function hello_maybe_update_theme_version_in_db() { $theme_version_option_name = 'hello_theme_version'; // The theme version saved in the database. $hello_theme_db_version = get_option( $theme_version_option_name ); // If the 'hello_theme_version' option does not exist in the DB, or the version needs to be updated, do the update. if ( ! $hello_theme_db_version || version_compare( $hello_theme_db_version, HELLO_ELEMENTOR_VERSION, '<' ) ) { update_option( $theme_version_option_name, HELLO_ELEMENTOR_VERSION ); } } if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_display_header_footer' ) ) { /** * Check whether to display header footer. * * @return bool */ function hello_elementor_display_header_footer() { $hello_elementor_header_footer = true; return apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_header_footer', $hello_elementor_header_footer ); } } if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_scripts_styles' ) ) { /** * Theme Scripts & Styles. * * @return void */ function hello_elementor_scripts_styles() { if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_enqueue_style', true ) ) { wp_enqueue_style( 'hello-elementor', HELLO_THEME_STYLE_URL . 'reset.css', [], HELLO_ELEMENTOR_VERSION ); } if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_enqueue_theme_style', true ) ) { wp_enqueue_style( 'hello-elementor-theme-style', HELLO_THEME_STYLE_URL . 'theme.css', [], HELLO_ELEMENTOR_VERSION ); } if ( hello_elementor_display_header_footer() ) { wp_enqueue_style( 'hello-elementor-header-footer', HELLO_THEME_STYLE_URL . 'header-footer.css', [], HELLO_ELEMENTOR_VERSION ); } } } add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'hello_elementor_scripts_styles' ); if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_register_elementor_locations' ) ) { /** * Register Elementor Locations. * * @param ElementorPro\Modules\ThemeBuilder\Classes\Locations_Manager $elementor_theme_manager theme manager. * * @return void */ function hello_elementor_register_elementor_locations( $elementor_theme_manager ) { if ( apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_register_elementor_locations', true ) ) { $elementor_theme_manager->register_all_core_location(); } } } add_action( 'elementor/theme/register_locations', 'hello_elementor_register_elementor_locations' ); if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_content_width' ) ) { /** * Set default content width. * * @return void */ function hello_elementor_content_width() { $GLOBALS['content_width'] = apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_content_width', 800 ); } } add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'hello_elementor_content_width', 0 ); if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_add_description_meta_tag' ) ) { /** * Add description meta tag with excerpt text. * * @return void */ function hello_elementor_add_description_meta_tag() { if ( ! apply_filters( 'hello_elementor_description_meta_tag', true ) ) { return; } if ( ! is_singular() ) { return; } $post = get_queried_object(); if ( empty( $post->post_excerpt ) ) { return; } echo '' . "\n"; } } add_action( 'wp_head', 'hello_elementor_add_description_meta_tag' ); // Settings page require get_template_directory() . '/includes/settings-functions.php'; // Header & footer styling option, inside Elementor require get_template_directory() . '/includes/elementor-functions.php'; if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_customizer' ) ) { // Customizer controls function hello_elementor_customizer() { if ( ! is_customize_preview() ) { return; } if ( ! hello_elementor_display_header_footer() ) { return; } require get_template_directory() . '/includes/customizer-functions.php'; } } add_action( 'init', 'hello_elementor_customizer' ); if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_check_hide_title' ) ) { /** * Check whether to display the page title. * * @param bool $val default value. * * @return bool */ function hello_elementor_check_hide_title( $val ) { if ( defined( 'ELEMENTOR_VERSION' ) ) { $current_doc = Elementor\Plugin::instance()->documents->get( get_the_ID() ); if ( $current_doc && 'yes' === $current_doc->get_settings( 'hide_title' ) ) { $val = false; } } return $val; } } add_filter( 'hello_elementor_page_title', 'hello_elementor_check_hide_title' ); /** * BC: * In v2.7.0 the theme removed the `hello_elementor_body_open()` from `header.php` replacing it with `wp_body_open()`. * The following code prevents fatal errors in child themes that still use this function. */ if ( ! function_exists( 'hello_elementor_body_open' ) ) { function hello_elementor_body_open() { wp_body_open(); } } require HELLO_THEME_PATH . '/theme.php'; HelloTheme\Theme::instance(); Embracing Autism Through the Eyes of Faith – Brilliant Minds Advocacy

Embracing Autism Through the Eyes of Faith

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14 NIV)

As a faith-rooted organization, Brilliant Minds Advocacy believes that every child, neurodivergent or not, is crafted with intention, purpose, and divine beauty. Autism is not a mistake, a burden, or something to be “fixed”; it is a part of God’s intricate design. Scripture tells us that God knew us before we were born and He made no error in how He shaped us (Jeremiah 1:5).

We know that too often society views autism through a lens of limitation, but God doesn’t measure worth the way the world does. While the world sees difference, God sees design. For we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus for the good things He planned long ago (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). Autism may affect how someone communicates, processes, and connects, but it does not lessen their value in the Kingdom of God. Each autistic child and adult carry a unique expression of God’s creativity, reflecting dimensions of His wisdom that the neurotypical world may not fully understand. This doesn’t make them less holy, less capable, or less called.

Jesus continually reached for those others overlooked and deemed “different,” “unclean,” or “unworthy.” In this way, autism advocacy is kingdom work, as it calls us to create room at the table for those who’ve been excluded, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed. Advocating for autistic children and adults is a spiritual call to love without condition, to fight for justice, and to affirm God’s image in every human being. As Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).

We also want to remind parents that God sees you, too. Raising a child with autism can be joyful but also exhausting, isolating, and filled with questions. In those moments, remember this: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). God is with you, walking through every IEP meeting, every meltdown, and every sleepless night. He equips you, strengthens you, and surrounds you with grace for the journey. You are not alone, and neither is your child.

Faith communities have both an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure that autistic individuals feel seen, supported, and welcomed. This means more than just kindness; it means adapting our ministries, training our leaders, and listening with empathy. “The body is not made up of one part but of many… and those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:14, 22 NIV). Autism is not a weakness; it is an indispensable part of the Body of Christ. Our communities are incomplete without neurodivergent voices and gifts.

God doesn’t make mistakes. Autism is not a curse or a punishment. It is a part of the wondrous, diverse way that God creates life. No matter what the journey looks like, God goes before you, stands beside you, and carries you through. At Brilliant Minds Advocacy, we are committed to uplifting every child, every parent, and every story that reflects the glory of God’s handiwork. Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17 NIV). Your child is a gift, and you were chosen for this path. You do not walk it alone. We’re here to walk with you, pray with you, and advocate alongside you. Contact us to connect with a faith-informed advocate today.