Child with Autism at Mass

[HeDa]

The average five-year-old has the attentionspan and ability to concentrate for a maximum of 10 minutes. After that the “ants in the pants” start moving and focus is pretty much everywhere else than the Mass and what we should be doing next in the liturgy.

 

[Dhc8_Type]

My pastor just put that in the pew card. Asking anyone who has problems with kids squirming or make noise to see him. Then a brief paragraph on how chastising parents with dirty looks is terrible and that we should be happy that young children are in church.

 

[babochka]

The average five-year-old has the attentionspan and ability to concentrate for a maximum of 10 minutes.

quote=“HeDa, post:45, topic:509456, full:true”]
strong text. After that the “ants in the pants” start moving and focus is pretty much everywhere else than the Mass and what we should be doing next in the liturgy.
[/quote]

I’m a mother of 6, most of whom were quite squirmy at 5, and I am not necessarily thinking about this would apply to Mass, but have you ever seen kids in a Montessori classroom? Or in the catechesis of the Good Shepherd? The level of prolonged focus and attention that can be achieved by the average three-year-old, in that prepared environment, is astonishing.

 

[DarkLight]

The level of prolonged focus and attention that can be achieved by the average three-year-old, in that prepared environment, is astonishing.

Of course, “average” is the key word here. Lots of kids are different.

 

[TheLittleLady]

We should not discount the person with autism simply because they are “non verbal” nor to withhold Sacraments for this reason. As both a catechist and the confirmation sponsor for two non-verbal people, know this is close to my heart.

Infants are fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) in other Rites and when they are born in a dire situation.

For those of you who have children on the spectrum, please, work with your Diocese and the NCPD to arrange for your child to receive the full Sacraments of Initiation.

Loyola and Kennedy offer great adaptive preparation kits, your Diocese should be able to loan you one if your parish does not already have one.

http://www.ncpd.org/ministries-programs/catechesis

 

[babochka]

babochka:

The level of prolonged focus and attention that can be achieved by the average three-year-old, in that prepared environment, is astonishing.

Of course, “average” is the key word here. Lots of kids are different.

Let me be more specific. The level of prolonged focus and attention that was achieved by my “average” 3-year-olds was impressive. The level of prolonged focus and attention that was achieved by my ADHD, mildly autistic child with sensory processing disorder (under responsive) was astonishing. I can’t replicate it at home (without video games), and certainly not at Mass.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

There is a severely retarded/autistic boy in our church who may even have Tourettes syndrome. He shouts out constantly during Mass. While this can be disruptive, most people are okay with him. When his parents bring him down during communion to get blessed, he shouts out “yes!” with a big smile after the priest blesses him. I think it’s pretty nice! We need to get over being “disturbed” by children and mentally ill people.

 

[halogirl]

Last week we had a little girl eating crisps in the pew in front and a little boy banging his dinosaur off the seat for almost the full hour. But rather they are there than that I can hear the mass xxx I know the mass. I want them to be there and grow up in church and well done that those parents have gone to mass

 

[halogirl]

I understand your whole post and I get that it comes from a place of love however I would ask that you don’t use ‘retarded’ xxx god bless you

 

[mrsdizzyd]

I understand your whole post and I get that it comes from a place of love however I would ask that you don’t use ‘retarded’ xxx god bless you

Thank you for saying this. The R word has got to go.

 

[mythbuster1]

The Saturday Vigil is generally less crowded, so it might be easier for him to attend that Mass (i.e. less noise and stimulation).

 

[whichwaytogo47]

My grandchildren living in CT made their Communion in the 2nd grade and I personally believe this is too early.

OTOH, who really understands Communion anyway?
I do wish there was more teaching for adults here…

I concur totally. Unless you’re in an interfaith marriage, it’s hard to understand just how complicated Holy communion can be to someone who doesn’t understand why Catholic communion is different or what it represents. Of course, if your obedient and take communion in the Catholic church, you should know its because of the real presence of God and not solely because the other churches aren’t in communion with the church. In the other churches, it’s merely a symbol, thus your doctrine really determines what kind of Christian you are. I’d definitely say that it’s communion and confession as to why I’m a proud practicing Catholic.

 

[LisaB]

I would ask that you don’t use ‘retarded’ xxx god bless you

Why? Mental retardation (MR), now called intellectual disability, is an actual condition, not a pejorative. Now, autism and MR are not the same thing, but if used for its intended purpose, I don’t see why it’s not the correct description for the mental illness described.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

Why? Mental retardation (MR), now called intellectual disability, is an actual condition, not a pejorative.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a43c5babff200ad56bf09a4/t/5a621c25ec212d70adc64e61/1516379173744/the-renaming-of-mental-retardation.pdf

https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/Citation/2013/05000/New_terminology_for_mental_retardation_in_DSM_5.6.aspx

 

[halogirl]

Most disabled people I know would not identify that way and find it offensive.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

A person who has a severe neurological disorder that they may be disruptive during Mass is a grave reason for missing Mass.
It’s not your child’s fault.
God isn’t mad at you or your beloved child.
He may grow out of this behavior or not.
Consult with your priest about the situation, maybe he can receive the sacraments at home when he’s older and can understand better.

A lady in our parish has a son who hollers out in Mass. she takes him out when he gets too noisy. I don’t think anybody’s too judgmental about it.
I think it’s nice she’s trying to do what she can for him.
Some weeks they stay home.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

I understand why they renamed it, but I think mean people will simply find a way to turn “intellectual disability” into an insult.

Mean folks are gonna be mean