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Special Needs
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dID YOU KNOW?
- All children who have been baptized are entitled to receive the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
- A religious education curriculum can be adapted and/or modified to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Their presence in the program is a sign and symbol of God’s love for all.
- The timing and frequency of instruction can be adapted to the child’s particular needs and abilities.
- The catechist for children with disabilities does not need a background in special education. Resources and guidance are now available to help catechists meet the needs of these children.
- Although all children are encouraged to learn and pray the basic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Sign of the Cross), memorization of these prayers is not a requirement to receive the sacraments.
- The Office of Child and Family Catechesis will provide ongoing support, consultation and resources to parishes that minister to children with special needs.
(Adapted from “Recognizing the Gift: A Parish Resource Guide for Welcoming Children with Disabilities” Archdiocese of New York, 2014.)
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“It is necessary to care for and accompany persons with disabilities in every condition of life… to make way alongside them… It is a demanding, even tiring journey, which will increasingly contribute to forming consciences capable of recognizing that each one of us is a unique and unrepeatable person.’’ - Pope Francis
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Website links:
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
National Catholic Partnership on Disability
National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities Facebook Page
Catholic Education Resource Center (CERC)
National Catholic Office for the Deaf
Articles:
Loyola Press Special Needs
Vatican.VA - Pope Francis Prayer for Disabilities
Sadlier Making Inclusion Work in Catholic Faith Formation
Teaching Students with Special Needs- Catechist Magazine
Other Resources:
Loyola Press Inclusive Resources for Special Needs
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"How to Celebrate Mass with a Child with Special Needs" article by David Rizzo
My Picture Missal Flip Book
Worshiping With Children with Special Needs
Justice-persons-disabilities-bulletin-insert PDF (www.usccb.org)
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Sample Models of Inclusion
Access and Inclusion Models
Basic Strategies for Teachers of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Auditory Learners
Helping Auditory Learners Succeed
11 Hints for Modifying an Existing Religious Education Class Lesson for Students with IDD
Tools for Teaching Children with Disabilities
Reconciliation Themes and Learning Styles (National Apostolate for Inclusion)
Eucharist Themes and Learning Styles (National Apostolate for Inclusion)
Confirmation Themes and Learning Styles (National Apostolate for Inclusion)
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For a consultation, please contact the following:
For special needs: Sister Beth Ann Dillon, [email protected]
For deaf ministry: Michele Murphy, [email protected]
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