William's Syndrome and CCD

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Wasn’t sure how to title this, but anyway…

My son is 21 years old. He has William’s Syndrome. He never would’ve been able to attend CCD when he was supposed to. I’m wondering what I can do now? He has just got to the point where I think he could learn the sacredness of the Holy Eucharist. What do I do now? RCIA? He has a lot of anxiety…would it be possible for me to attend with him?

Admittedly, we have been away from church for a while now, but haven’t lost our beliefs. We have taken my son to Mass before, but of course no Holy Communion for him. 😦

Has anyone been in or know of anyone in a similar circumstance?

BTW, this is what William’s Syndrome is:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Hope that doesn’t come out too big 😮
 
I have a friend with a child with Willams syndrome. I think there are facebook groups that might help you out quite a bit. I know she gets a tremendous amount of support from there.

Her daughter is 11 or 12 now. She has mostly physical symptoms but I think is closer to grade level. She has had her sacraments. She goes to a public school for full-time intervention and her siblings go to the Catholic school down the road. I believe her mom worked with their pastor to give lessons that the pastor then quizzed her on.

Is there a reason you have held off until this point? I’ve only met 2 children with Williams syndrome but they both seemed intelligent if a bit behind. But not on the level of say, a severely affected autistic child with little communication or a severely impaired Down Syndrome child who may struggle with key logic thought process.

Anxiety is an issue for WS kids.

I think you need to sit with your priest, without your son, and educate him a bit on the disease, where your son is and how you think he could best help. The priest may counter with ideas, too. It is probably best to also explain any medical needs he may have so if the priest does work with him 1:1 he is comfortable.

But I think, mostly, it’s important to connect with WS parents. The facebook group is easily searchable and it’d be really easy to ask other Catholic WS parents to private message you with their experiances.
 
Talk with your pastor. I don’t think RCIA is necessarily the answer for him though he may (or may not) enjoy meeting other people also preparing to receive their Sacraments of Initiation. Hopefully your pastor would be willing to work with you to help him prepare for both confirmation and the Eucharist.

If that doesn’t work out, your diocese should have an office that works with people with disabilities. Talk with them about the possibilities that may be available.
 
Do not despair. Your parish has to help you either teach him yourself, or supply a special needs instructor in catechesis .I strongly suggest you ask them to acquire the ADAPTIVE editions of Reconciliation and First Eucharist from Loyola Press. Your pastor will work with you and the child. They may even do a special separate Mass for him, or perhaps allow him to receive on another special day like Mother’s Day, or the FEest of CPrupus Christi as a teaching moment for the parish.
Also, contact the Chancery of your Diocese for assistance in this regard as well, but go to the Pastor and DRE FIRST.
 
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Thank you so much, all of you. I’m excited now. He’s going to love it. I will speak to our Pastor and look into the adaptive editions of Reconcillation and First Eucharist. I didn’t realize they had that.

Thanks again!
 
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