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Religious Education Apps for Children with Autism
April 18, 2012 • by Julie Filby - Archdiocese of Denver
Posted in Local News Share
Subjects: Sacraments of initiation, guided tour of Mass
Compatible: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
To be released: End of May
Available: Online Apple Store
Damien O’Connor believes his 10-year-old daughter Mary Rose is the happiest child he’s ever met. She loves to dance in the backyard with her favorite stuffed animals. And when she prays the rosary, she doesn’t say it, she sings it.
Mary is “on the spectrum.” When she was a year and a half old, literally overnight she stopped responding in ways she had previously. Three psychologists confirmed she had an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ASDs are developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.
“We were devastated,” said O’Connor, of the diagnosis revealed to him and his wife, Monica.
About nine months later, 3-year-old son, Damien Jr., began acting unusually.
“We never dreamed it would be the same diagnosis,” he said. But it was. Two out of three of the couple’s children are autistic. Mary Rose also has a twin sister, Ana Theresa.
Autism awareness
April is Autism Awareness Month. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 1 in 88 children have been identified with an ASD.
“Nobody wants this for their children,” said O’Connor, whose family resides in Milford, Conn. “I think the hardest thing for parents is you have to mourn the fact that they’re not going to be who you thought they were going to be.”
Through their Catholic faith, and support from doctors, the Milford School District, and their parish, St. Michael Church in New Haven, Conn., they can see their children’s disabilities not only as challenges, but blessings.
“(Though) our family situation is nowhere near perfect,” he said. “I love and adore (my children) for who they are.”
He described Mary Rose and Damien Jr. as high-functioning. Spectrum disorders affect each person differently, with symptoms ranging from very mild to severe.
Church life
Their children have received their first Communion and are otherwise being catechized in the Catholic faith. Damien Jr., now 12, is an altar server at the parish.
“Parents can be paranoid; it can be hard to bring (children with autism) to Mass, not knowing when they might have an outburst,” he said.
Their family was welcomed unconditionally at the parish.
“We felt welcome—and boy, does that go a long way!” he said. “If parishes can make families feel welcome, and just start with that, God takes care of the rest.”
Religious education apps
O’Connor is working to help find ways to effectively catechize children with ASDs in his role as director of pastoral services for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.
“I realize full-well how difficult it can be, but it’s so worth it,” he said. “These children have a right to receive the sacraments.”
The Diocese of Bridgeport is in the process of developing two mobile applications (apps) to be released by the end of May: the sacraments of initiation app, and a guided tour through the Mass. The sacraments of initiation app will help prepare children for baptism, Communion and confirmation; while the latter will break Mass down into 27 parts with voice-over explanations.
“We take every symbol you see in a Catholic Church—altar, alb, candles, vestment colors—and explain it,” he said.
The apps were inspired following an Oct. 23, 2011, segment on “60 Minutes” called “Apps for Autism.” There correspondent Lesley Stahl reported that touch-screen apps designed for tablet computers, such as an iPad, can provide some people with autism a new way to express themselves. Teachers and parents have hailed the technology.
“We hope it’s a powerful tool,” said O’Connor, “and helps people keep their hearts open … and think ‘outside the box.’”
Once available, the apps can be downloaded through Apple.