A program to improve Catholic religious education and family life for individuals with autism Deacon Lawrence R. Sutton, Ph.D. Former Board President National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry and Member of the Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCPD) Two Stories Michael Limited/no language skills until age 9 Could not express himself Greg IQ changed over time Improved information processing There are a lot of Michaels and Gregs. Headline News Fear, ignorance played a role in autistic boys death (March 2004) Sacramental preparation classes to begin for children with autism (March 2006) People with special needs are welcome (June 2008) Returning to the Church; Catholic programs for disabled children help reach parents (2010) The Need for an Adaptive Program In April 2003, two second-grade children with autism were turned away before celebrating their first Eucharist. The Need for an Adaptive Program Limited religious education Preparation for Confirmation Inclusion in the adult Catholic community Who Does Autism Impact? Children with autism Families Catechists Parish community Clergy School principal DREs and other who teach/work with IDD children Functional Definitions of Autism What is Autism? Developmental disorder Global term Noted impairment in four domains Developmental onset Language* Social Behavioral/Sensory What Is Autism? Developmental Impairments Delayed use of language Difficulty understanding what is said Difficulty expressing thoughts with words Latency in response What Is Autism? Language Impairments Difficulty understanding tone Do not understand facial expressions Do not process people, just attributes What Is Autism? Social Impairments Individual play and leisure time Lack of social sense Difficulty with empathy and other emotions Demonstrate very concrete understanding What Is Autism? Behavioral/Sensory Impairments Tantrums Repetitive behaviors Fears/Phobias Stims Picky eaters Sensitivity to touch and sounds Is Autism Real? CDC estimates that about 1 in 50 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Doctors look at the childs behavior and development to make a diagnosis. ASDs can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable. So what is it I really know about autism? Who do you know who is autistic What can an autistic people do How can I be pastoral to a child who is autistic or to their family, my degrees are in philosophy and theology What does stimming really mean? The Goal We must open the door for autistic children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Curriculum Interactive One-on-one instruction Support materials The Curriculum Who Is Involved? DREParents of Teen Faith Mentors Congregation at Mass Clergy Parents Teen Faith Mentors Deacon Other ASD Students The Curriculum Structure Preschool/early Pre-Eucharist years: Years 1 and 2 Preparation for Sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation The Saints, the Mass, and Rituals Confirmation Post-Confirmation The Curriculum Pre-Eucharist Based on the Book of Genesis A two-year weekly series of lessons The Curriculum Preparation for the Sacraments Weekly lessons Exercises to reinforce weekly theme Practice in rituals The Curriculum Preparation for Sacraments Reconciliation For those with language skills: Review the ways people hurt God Have the child say modified Act of Contrition For those without language skills Use manipulatives to show good and bad behavior Repeat modified Act of Contrition with child The Curriculum Preparation for Sacraments Modified Act of Contrition Oh my God, I am sorry for my sins. (In choosing to sin and in failing to do good, I have sinned against you and your church. I firmly intend, with the help of your grace, to make up for my sins and to love as I should.) Amen. (Beth Mayer) The Curriculum Preparation for Sacraments 1.I pray with my family. 2.I ask God for forgiveness for the sins I committed with the help of the priest. 3.The priest offers Gods forgiveness. 4.I pray my penance. Practice aspects of rites Use visual examples in the childs home church with a family member Allow the child to see, touch and to be a part of Church practices The Curriculum Preparation for Sacraments The Curriculum: Mass and Rituals The Mass The Stations of the Cross RitualsA guide to the Sacraments The Curriculum Who Is Involved? Teen Faith Mentors Directors of religious education (DREs) Clergy (Pastor) Parents The Curriculum Who Is InvolvedCommunication is Key Key players need to understand how to communicate and how that individual child communicates. Priest (Deacon) DREsParentsTeens CongregationTeachers Other Students Principal and School The Curriculum Who Is InvolvedCommunication is Key Autism is an information processing disorder. How does a child with autism communicate? Communication is understanding. Play to the strengths of the child (what does the child do well, can they draw, sing, complete crafts... The Curriculum Who Is InvolvedTeen Faith Mentors Teen Faith Mentors need to... Know what autism and other developmental disorders are Understand the difference between developmental disorders and psychiatric disorders Review, understand, and prepare materials The Curriculum Who Is InvolvedDREs DREs are responsible for... Defining the roles of catechists, parents, and outside professionals (e.g., psychologists) Listening to and engaging the family Determining how to best include a child with autism in the classroom and the community The Curriculum Who Is InvolvedClergy Clergy need to know how to... Be pastoral to the disabled person and his or her family Find meaningful accommodations Reach the disabled from the pulpit Communicate during the Sacrament of Reconciliation Did you know there are autism clergy? The Curriculum Who Is InvolvedParents Parents will have to... Know what to expect (and not expect) Define what their child needs Observe and participate Know when (and where) to seek additional help Some of Our Challenges Concrete/Literal Thinkers Fears and Concerns of DREs Allergies Emotional Concerns Environmental Challenges Some of Our Challenges Concrete/Literal Thinkers How does one explain the mysteries of our Church to someone who thinks literally? Some of Our Challenges Fears and Concerns of DREs Miscommunication Behaviors Qualifications Sacraments Some of Our Challenges Allergies Some people with autism have allergies to gluten. Altar breads must be made with wheat and contain gluten. The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration bake low-gluten altar breads. Some of Our Challenges Allergies The Office of the Secretariat for Liturgy approved their low-gluten altar breads: Having reviewed the laboratory reports you sent... I am pleased to state that these special hosts are indeed made according to the requirements of the Code of Canon Law (c.924)... and may be validly used at Mass in the diocese of the United States with appropriate permission. Some of Our Challenges Emotional Concerns People with autism perceive things differently. Differences in routines cause stress. They have ineffective strategies for dealing with stress. Some of Our Challenges Environmental Challenges Sources of distraction Perceptual issues Internally disorganized Good Surprises Students Teen Faith Mentors Families Improved quality of life Additional Resources Deacon Lawrence R. Sutton, Ph.D.National Catholic Partnership on Disability (www.ncpd.org) National Catholic Office for the Deaf (www.ncod.org) Special Religious Development, Archdiocese of Chicago (www.spred.org) Archdiocese of Washington, Ministry for Special Needs (www.adw.org)www.adw.org University of Dayton -The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) https://vlc.udayton.eduhttps://vlc.udayton.edu Inclusion begins in our hearts. It begins with affirmation. We should open our hearts to one another and recognize the strengths of every person... When we open our hearts and our community to the gifts each person brings, we are all strengthened. ~ Joseph Cardinal Bernadin The time is now. Please start.