Since a lot of people with Autism are non verbal people, even high functioning ones don’t talk much, how do they go about going to confession? Is there another way for them to do so? Thank you.
There are lots of ways and manners that someone can express they did something wrong and would like to be forgiven. Obviously this will be tailored to the individual and how they feel comfortable communicating.
Only those who have the use of reason are capable of committing serious sin. Nevertheless, even young children and persons with mental disabilities often are conscious of committing acts that are sinful to some degree and may experience a sense of guilt and sorrow. As long as the individual is capable of having a sense of contrition for having committed sin, even if he or she cannot describe the sin precisely in words, the person may receive sacramental absolution. Those with profound mental disabilities, who cannot experience even minimal contrition, may be invited to participate in penitential services with the rest of the community to the extent of their ability.
In the case of individuals with poor communication skills, sorrow for sin is to be accepted even if this repentance is expressed through some gesture rather than verbally…
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