How to welcome, include, and catechize children with autism and other special needs

Deacon Larry Sutton knows first-hand how important and rewarding catechizing children with developmental disabilities can be. In How to Welcome, Include, and Catechize Children with Developmental Disabilities, he provides bishops, pastors, DREs, and other diocesan and parish leaders with a guide for creating a program that addresses the needs of children with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities and welcomes them into the life of the parish. This book helps parishes: Understand disabilities—and abilities; build relationships with children with special needs; provide one-on-one customized catechesis using existing resources; inspire teens to volunteer; revitalize, educate, and involve the entire parish. The book provides the insights needed to build an effective faith formation program. By sharing stories of success and inspiration that affect everyone—pastor, parent, student, teenager, and teacher—he delivers the unexpected: that catechizing children with special needs actually nurtures the faith of the entire parish.