​Special Needs Kids' Catholic Life

Neuro-diverse kids come to Jesus, and their faith,
with different needs. Let's help 'em out! 
Below are a few tips to start...but we'd also love to hear your
tried-and-true tips (click Let's Chat - bottom right below)
or post on our Facebook page (f link below). 
See you there - and thanks for sharing!

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Many kids connect with a clear visual introduction. 

A picture of Aunt Jane in Kansas offers a clear understanding that Mom has a sister they've never met. 

Pictures and Sacramentals (statues etc.)

around the house that "match"

what they've seen at church or at Grandma's,

clearly introduce them the same way

regarding their Heavenly Family. 

Is there a Catholic Shrine or Retreat House nearby that you can go for a Hike on?  The outdoor statues and perhaps Nuns and Priests that they meet, begin to make Faith as real as a walk in the sun and meeting a new friend.   

Play "Mass" at home as casually as you would a board game or puzzle..., and they'll learn "how the game is played" and can then anticipate that "the sign of peace will be next" etc... 

Build on those experiences before insisting they sit still for an hour at Mass and you'll be setting the kids up for success - or at the very least, you'll take away a little anxiety of the unknown.

Set their plate on the table - cross yourselves then say a quick

"Thanks for the Food God - Amen..."

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'Kiss on the head before they rush off to the bus?  Add tracing a cross on their forehead with your finger...

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Stirring cookie batter?  Three times to the right, three times to the left while saying "the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit" - switch directions - repeat...

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It's the little habits, the constant reminder, that give, especially a special needs child that may struggle with connection, a routine of

"God just IS in our lives."

Praying and moving...

Coming Soon.

You don't know what you don't know.  Especially with a special-needs kid.  So you research and make phone calls, and doctor appointments, and maybe buy programs,

and and and...  That plus an overscheduled life of work, and other family commitments...  wow.  breathe.

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I don't know who needs to hear this - but faith is not meant to be stressed - it's meant to be lived.  That flight attendant speech about "secure your oxygen mask before helping others" applies here too.  

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Take time to learn about God.  Start praying randomly. - Then listen for answers.  When your gut pulls you to start praying with your child, it'll pop out as naturally as "hey, let's call grandma".   

Then don't stress about learning the Rosary - start with an Our Father if you know it, or Google it together -- or with a heartfelt chat prayer like "God, this is the first time we're calling you, but we just wanted to say, hi, and that we know you love us -- help us to love you more. - Amen" 

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You can't pray wrong.  Just remember God is the best loving Father.  He's just glad to hear your voice.  Your kids will soon emulate your chats with God - so relaxed, heartfelt, with giggles and smiles --oh, and warm milk with honey!

Warm drinks make everything better...

What if Mass always ended with going home for pancakes? 

What if Adoration always included a lollipop? (and she could trust that you guys will stay 15 minutes, not talk in the lobby for an hour...)

--What if he could count on you blasting "his" music on the way to Religious Ed class,

--or the ride home always began with "reach into the bag for a surprise"

--and Religious Ed night always ended with a bubble bath?  

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These are randomly specific, but the association of sweet - predictable - comfortable can often work wonders. 

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The extra cooking/remembering the ingredients/running baths are nothing when compared either to the peace you might get from good behavior - or the peace you might get from knowing you're setting the kids' souls up for success.

Oh I can't remember now, who is the Saint that said you can never love Mary more than Jesus?   God is not "like" love - God IS love.  So pray too much, put too many statues in your house and garden or talk all weekend

with Mother Mary. 

The kids are watching.  They'll emulate you.

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God has proven His love by walking in our shoes - as a poor and humble man, then offering himself to be whipped and hung on a cross - just so that you and I don't have to suffer the death of sin.  Pass the Faith on to your children - and share or witness your faith with everyone you meet.  Comfortably spread God's love into the world - together.  

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In terms of a special-needs child,

passing on the faith might look like:

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-bring a picnic lunch to a holy site in your area

- Let the world-and your child, witness your struggle to get him to sit still at Mass, or letting him enjoy a holy location by letting him get his shoes wet in the stream...

Let yourselves enjoy the life God gave you.

-volunteer to set up tables and chairs at the local soup kitchen - Tables and chairs might be more well-received by a high-energy child than dishing food neatly onto people's plates...  

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I'm a big advocate of teaching faith as early and as naturally as "this is your nose - knees - heart that Jesus loves..."   A cross traced on their forehead at Nap-time - thanking God for their food whenever it's presented to them...  Faith-filled stories read to them from the crib on up... 

Because imagine, after years of encouraging stranger-danger,  and barely hearing God's name, a child is brought to First Holy Communion class around 8 years old - and told they will wear wedding clothes to reverently and excitedly receive someone- they are told- they should already love.   

Relationships take time,

and conversations (prayer),

and interactions (Mass/Adoration),

and perhaps interactions with family (parish events)...  

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When Jesus, Heaven, Saints etc. have been part of their lives since birth, it sets a strong foundation for a warm loving-easier-real relationship with Jesus...

Lucky is the kid who has grandparents active in their Faith Formation!  But when that's not an option, consider asking your parish if they can set something up with the elderly in the parish...or the elderly in a nearby Retirement Home or Senior Center.  Passing down Basketball - Pottery Making - Gardening -- the one-on-one patience to sit with Legos... our older community has so much to offer.   It's worth asking around to see if someone has a special needs grandchild - perhaps setting up a playdate...