As an autism consultant for a public school system I began working with Justin just as he turned three years old. For nine years I consulted to Justin’s classroom monthly until this past year when he transferred to a private school specializing in autism. Justin communicates through single words, short phrases and gestures. It is not always clear how much Justin understands although time and again he surprises me. Justin would often greet me by bringing his face within inches of mine, smell me, and then smile. After a few seconds he would then say, “Hi Sue”. Sometimes after greeting me Justin would become so excited that he would push his lower jaw into his hands in order to regulate himself.
As often happens after working with a student and his family for years, Justin, his family and I had developed a special relationship. Two years ago at the request of his parents I supported Justin as he prepared to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. While it wasn’t easy Justin successfully made his First Holy Communion with the rest of his class. It was a momentous occasion for Justin’s family and I have no doubt that Justin understood that it was his special day and felt the joy of his family and friends.
My experience working with Justin and playing a part in his preparation to receive First Communion has had a profound impact on my own understanding of the Eucharist. Throughout Justin’s catechetical process it became evident to me that preparing Justin to receive first Holy Communion was more about the richness of his relationships with his friends, family, and community than it was about his conceptual understanding of the Eucharist. I realized that the most important part of the process was helping Justin foster loving and mutual relationships where he was an active and engaged participant in his faith community. And finally, I came to understand that receiving the Eucharist was about one’s willingness to sustain and be sustained by experiences of the Divine within the transcending moments of relating to one another.
1 comment:
Sue,
Your experiences are personally relevant as I am the father of a 9 year old girl who is on the autistic spectrum scale. Jillian, my daughter, was fortunate to have a skillful and talented Religious Education teacher who guided her on her way to her First Communion. My wife and I have made faith formation of our daughter a priority, and I was fortunate to meet you at a recent seminar which you gave for Religious Education Directors.
Your point of total catechesis is insightful and opens the door to the on-going faith formation and development of parents of children of autism. A diagnosis of autism goes to the heart of faith and living which is the mystery of suffering. A diagnosis of autism for a child focuses a parent's attention to this question and compels a parent, who suddenly is struggling with anger and grief, to find a way to incorporate this diagnosis into a positive view of living and faith. A diagnosis of autism entails a sense of isolation and separateness from others because of the differences which it presents. This awareness of separateness can manifest itself through school, church, or social settings with family and friends. A parent necessarily questions a loving God and struggles with relationship with God admist the turmoil of the soul and spirit. A diagnosis of autism forces parents to have some tough discussions about having additional children and what will happen to their child with autism.
In addition to your ideas of the faith formation of children on the spectrum, it would be helpful if the Church developed a ministry to support parents to help them incorporate their family situation into an active faith development. I use the analogy of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They had an understanding of all that went on in the teachings of Jesus but were still disappointed and confused after the crucifixion. It was not until the encounter along the road with Christ that they understood not just in their heads but in their hearts what His teachings meant. In that same spirit, can the Church reach out to parents to help them understand and continue to celebrate the special gift which is their son or daughter?
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