EXTENDING A WELCOME

Communications to parents and parishioners should state that every effort will be made to accommodate children with special needs into the parish religious education program. This may be done through new parishioner enrollment, bulletin notices, religious education mission statements, registration forms, and cover letters for the new year.

A bulletin announcement may read:

     Our religious education program welcomes all individuals in our parish. If you or members of your family have special needs (ie. medical, physical, behavioral, etc.), every effort will be made to accommodate these needs in our catechetical program and at parish activities.

On registration forms, a sentence may be added such as:

     In order to best accommodate you or your family members, it is important that we are made aware of any special needs of accommodations that are needed. Please complete:

    Our child is diagnosed with the disability of_______________ and/or needs the special accommodation of ______________.

REACHING OUT TO ACCOMMODATE THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN

Once a disability, accommodation or special need is made known, the catechetical leader needs to contact the individual or parents to arrange a planning meeting to discuss and determine how the special needs will best be met. Parents/guardians know their child better than anyone else and can offer valuable insights and practical suggestions. the United States Catholic Bishops in their Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities (1989) state:

     "The central importance of family members in the lives of all persons with disabilities, regardless of age, must never be underestimated. They lovingly foster the spiritual, mental and physical developments of the disabled person and are the primary teachers of religion and morality."

An Individualized Religious Education Form can be mailed to the parents/guardians to complete prior to the planning meeting. At the meeting, make a copy for each person present.

You may want to invite a perspective catechist or someone with special education background to join the meeting.

*If a catechetical leader needs additional information about the disability, link here to learn about specific disabilities

Our diocesan religious education office does provide the resource of a person experienced in meeting the special needs of children who is aware of resources available. Please contact us to share information about disabilities, to assist in meeting specific needs, and for materials to educate our youth about disabilities. 

Sacraments

US Catholic Bishops Guidelines for The Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities These guidelines give concrete expression to the bishops' long-standing concern for providing access to full sacramental participation for Catholics with disabilities. Drawn from the Church's ritual books and canonical tradition, the work presents a set of general principles helpful to diocesan staff, pastoral leaders, catechesis, parishioners, health care workers, and all who minister to or with Catholics with disabilities.

Sacraments for Every Child This article from America Magazine shares how parishes can welcome children with disabilities.

Tip Sheet for First Reconciliation Offers tips on preparing the person and the pastor for the sacrament for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

PLANNING MEETING

• Welcome all present.
• Thank parents/guardians for sharing their faith with their child and for pursuing avenues to enrich the child's Catholic faith. Many parents of children with disabilities feel unwelcome and have encountered people who look at their needs as a burden.
• Remember we are reaching out with Christ's love and compassion and we need to welcome and serve the family and child's needs as Jesus himself would.
• Let the parent tell you about their child. Review together the Individualized Religious Education Form. Ask questions and make notes as needed.
• Explain the design of your parish catechetical program to the parents/guardian.
• Present the placement options.
• Decide which option best meets the needs of the child and family.
• Decide if it would be helpful to share with other participants the individual's needs.
• Possibly a peer, parent/guardian or an aide who has met the child could introduce them to the class.

Conclude with a prayer of thanksgiving for the opportunity to share God's love with this child and their family and for your parish family to welcome the child. You may like to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance in selecting the person to best minister to this child.

ACCOMMODATING AN INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS

In the 1970's, the Diocese of Buffalo had 12 sites for regional catechetical programs for children with disabilities. By the 1990's, they slowly dissolved as professionals recommended "Inclusion" into regular classes. Inclusion is where every individual has the right to participate in the community as fully as his or her abilities permit.

We need to offer a variety of options which will allow children to be placed in the most inclusive setting. We need to recognize the gifts that a child with disabilities can bring to our groups and the community and the support a child with disabilities can receive from peers. We need to identify the gifts of the child with disabilities along with their limitations.

We suggest these options for placement be considered in this order:

*Inclusion in a regular classroom with no additional supports or accommodations

*Inclusion in a regular classroom with appropriate supports (peer buddy, aide) or accommodations (Braille materials, interpreter, behavior program, etc.)

*Part-time inclusion in a regular class and part-time in a small group or individualized instruction

*Full-time in a small group setting

*Individualized instruction in the regular program site

*Individualized instruction in the home by a parishioner

*Individualized instruction in the home by a parent/guardian

SELECTING A CATECHIST / AIDE

Often catechetical leaders panic when another volunteer is needed to assist a child with special needs.

Help the catechist to understand that God did not put them in this ministry alone and that you are available for support.

Take time daily to pray for this need and listen to God's response.

You need not look for someone with special education training. Often a person with a loving, patient, caring heart will do fine.

After praying for a few days, begin to verbalize your need to others in the program such as parents and teachers. Select and invite people one by one to this opportunity of service. If they are unable to fulfill this role, ask for their prayers for your mission.

Advertise in your bulletin.

Meet with the volunteer catechist and share the child's Individualized Religious Education Plan with them. Ask if they are still interested in serving in this capacity.

Catechists/aides should help the child interpret the meaning of their lives and give witness to Christ's presence in the parish in ways they can understand and appreciate.

Let the catechist and/or the aide meet the parents and the child prior to the first class. Going to the child's home for this meeting adds to the idea that the family is special and that we are reaching out with Christ's compassion to serve them. It also helps alleviate some of the child's anxieties about transitioning into a new learning environment on the first day of class.

All catechists/aides must comply withe the Diocesan catechist formation requirements and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Role of a Special Needs Aide in a religion class

Link here to learn about specific disabilities.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

• GOD'S FAMILY:  LEARNING, LOVING AND LIVING OUR FAITH is a monthly faith formation program for all age people with disabilities and their family and friends the third Saturday of each month from September to June, from Noon-2:30PM at Baker Hall School, 777 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna. Group home families are welcome. The session includes lunch, interactive prayer services, learning of our Catholic faith, sharing our experiences of faith, and taking materials to learn at home. To download, click on the appropriate link below:

                God's Family Brochure

                Family Registration

                Group Home Registration

For more information, contact Sharon Urbaniak or call 716-847-5514. 

Guidelines for Teachers and Catechists:  Inclusive Religious Education

Teaching Reminder From a Child with a Disability

Teaching Tips for Youth with Autism

Youth with Dyslexia

Different gifts, but the Same Spirit are lesson plans for youth age 8 to 18 about the gifts received when everyone is included. Download the lesson plans here www.inclusioninworship.org/open_educators.php

The Sign of the Cross in picture symbols may be downloaded here

The Saint Mary's Curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students for whom traditional religious education, even with accommodations, is not working. A setting and a curriculum designed for these students, not modified for them, allows them greater growth in understanding and faith. This St. Mary's curriculum is visually based, entails limited language and more repitition, and is designed for students who cannot participate in a discussion and may have difficulty understanding emotions.