Strategic Components for Successfully Working with Individuals with ASD
Here are some strategies that can be used with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Not every child responds to every tactic. Choose the best strategies for the individual child. These ideas can also be used with children with other needs than autism, such as intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Teaching Tips for Students with Autism
A few strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder!
Access Surveys
The importance of thoughtful and careful planning for any ministry cannot be overemphasized. Planning should likewise be approached with creativity and openness. The following questions can initiate the planning process toward a universally designed ministry: What does it mean to create a church community open to all?
Universal Design on a Diocesan Level
There is no question that organization and structure are essential to an effective ministry with people with disabilities. However, there is no oneway to structure this ministry, as evidenced by the variety of configurations currently operating in dioceses throughout the country. We are witnessing the downsizing or consolidation of many programs, and in some cases, directors have been required to assume responsibility for additional ministries. These trends have made clear the need for creativity and openness to change when considering how best to create a welcoming and inclusive community of faith for all, including Catholics with disabilities.
Language: A powerful tool for parish hospitality
Words can sustain negative stigma and myths or they can communicate respect and sensitivity. When you meet a person with a disability, choose words that say what you mean--that you see them first as a person with many abilities. Talk to the person directly, instead of their companion or interpreter.
The Gift of Giving
Many people with disabilities are remembered especially during the season of Advent as needy recipients of charity. Families, parishioners, and coworkers look for opportunities to buy gifts for those less fortunate, less healthy, and less wealthy. The able-bodied become the designated "givers" and the disabled become the designated "receivers".
How to Help a Person Experiencing a Mental Illness
- Tips to help a person experiencing mental illness - Warning signs that may indicate mental illness
Interacting with People with Vision Loss
20.6 million American adults are blind or living with vision loss that is not corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses (National Health Interview Survey 2012). The following are some tips to facilitation interaction among people with and without 20/20 vision.
Handout: The Person with Mental Illness
Ways to create a pro-life culture with persons living with mental illness.
National Catholic Office for the Deaf
“Spread God’s message through the support of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Catholics Pastoral Ministry so that we may all be one in Christ!”
Policy for Working with Sign Language Interpreters in Catholic Religious Settings
"This policy statement was developed in consultation with deaf persons. It reflects the expertise and extensive experience of pastoral workers and of interpreters who work in religious settings." - National Catholic Office for the Deaf
Religious Signs for Families ASL App
The Religious Signs for Families app is a delightful and engaging way to learn ASL using religious words that are not often found in other ASL apps. The goal of the app is to help families with young Deaf children and Deaf couples with young children to foster prayer in the home. - Archdiocese of Philadelphia Deaf Apostolate