CCD, first communion etc???
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CCD, first communion etc???
| Wed, 02-13-2008 - 8:24am |
I really need to call the religious ed director at our church and ask her some of this stuff, but I thought I would throw it out there for some of you BTDT mommies.

Heather--we had a hard time with Chris and Mass (sometimes still do and he's 15 now).
Well, even with a spec needs ccd class, Liam couldn't hack it (it was in the evening for an hour on Mondays and he was a melty mess by then. So I "technically" home school him in it now. I say "technically" as the book is still gathering dust on the counter...oops.
It's only now at almost age 8 does Liam get some of the finer points, like what you said. Perhaps you could ask the education director about getting a copy of the book they use for 5 year olds and home school him for now. As it I need to get the finger out and do so myself, lol.
GL
Dee
have to share a story.. actually
yeah, we have a lot of experience with that.
First, on First Communion I will tell you that a priest cannot deny a sacrament. I used to take a young man with severe disabilities to church with us who had recieved communion and I asked our priest how this could be since he couldn't truly understand. He did tell me that if a person truly wants a sacrament it cannot be denied regardless of sacrament preparation classes, etc.
Mike had a very hard time with CCD. In PreK I tried being his teacher and I was asked if maybe I shouldn't leave him home. First grade I was the aide in his class, 2nd grade he left after 3 weeks, same in 3rd grade. This year (6th) is the first year he is actually back and somewhat successful but he has an actual credentialed teacher.
We homeschooled him and prepared him for first communion. It was rough and we had to modify a lot but he made it through. He really wanted to though because he knew Cait did. Hindsight 20/20 I would have waited a while or just had him go separate and not had a party. It was way too stressful for him to be in front of all those people then have a party. Talk about meltdowns!
As for church it was tough for years. For a long time he wore headphones in church and we made other accommodations for him. We were probably walking him out of church weekly until he was 8 or 9. He still gets overwhelmed and we have some accommodations we still use. For instance he now is big enough he knows if he is getting overwhelmed he can take a walk to get a drink or sit with his head down.
Mike also has a great faith, better than mine actually. Another nice autism thing. He doesn't question, he just accepts it as fact. And MAN can he retain facts. And he really tries to live like a good christian boy.
I have to say it has just been a marathon thing of trying and trying every week and finally his growing up some. It just took a lot longer than his peers.