Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Ave Maria Press: Catechesis for Children with Special Needs
Sacred Scripture and church documents call us to form the faith of all the baptized, especially those with special needs. And although we echo this view, we wonder how do we invite? How do we welcome or we include them? Where do we start? What are the most effective strategies out there? How do we know if we are ready to work with children with disabilities?
In this webinar, Peter Ductram will discuss the vision of the Church in the United States for catechesis with people with special needs and the effective implementation of that vision. He will share valuable resources to help start and build a more creative catechesis.
CARFLEO Resources
- L’Arche
- We Remember: A Sacramental Preparation Program for Students with Special Needs
- We Celebrate Forgiveness: A Sacramental Preparation Program for Reconciliation for Students with Special Needs
Catechesis for Children with Special Needs: Helpful Resources for Catechists by Christine Way Skinner of St. John Chrysostom Parish in Newmarket, Ontario
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education (FIRE)
F.I.R.E is an organization that provides financial grants to parish schools within the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph to assist with the cost of special education services in an inclusive setting. Inclusive Catholic Education helps each child to reach their highest potential, and enlightens the lives of all children by teaching acceptance, compassion and the value of every child of God. -From the website
Our Mission is to provide resources that support faith formation and congregational inclusion with individuals with intellectual disability.
National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion
“There needed to be a place on the web where families and educators and administrators and faith filled people could go to find resources and proof that full inclusion in Catholic school is possible.” -from their website
National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD): Rooted in Gospel values that affirm the dignity of every person, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) works collaboratively to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society. (USA)
The Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents: Special Needs & Learning Differences
This website is useful for parents or teachers who are home-schooling a child who has specific difficulties or aptitudes. It is also useful for those whose learning, for various reasons, does not match the typical learning curve. Many of the resources on this website are geared to special physical needs, and some are geared towards students with different learning styles. The website specifically contains printable worksheets, forums, training, articles, links, and much more, pertaining to an abundance of different special need areas. For educators, it is a great website to get ideas, tips and strategies on how to reach and teach students with various abilities and disabilities.
– Nada Offak
Our site is intended for faith leaders, interested laity, people with mental illness and their families, friends and supporters and mental health professionals interested in working with the faith community.
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Program: Religious Education for Children and Adults with Special Needs
Sacramental Preparation for Students with Special Needs – A Guide for Catholic Educators: A resource from the Catholic Curriculum Corporation
This resource will assist educators in providing appropriate preparation for the sacraments to students with special needs, foster an attitude of inclusion, raise the awareness of educators in regards to available resources, and provide support to educators and parish priests for sacramental preparation at the school level for students with special needs.
SNOW: Special Needs Opportunity Windows
This website is provided by The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre at the University of Toronto in partnership with Ontario Provincial Schools and their mission is that they strongly believe in “Cultivating the Inclusive Education Community.” The site contains information about adaptive technology, ideas and innovations for the special education classroom, elearning workshops (that are FREE!), classroom strategies for children with specific disabilities, discussion forums, and an area for kids, parents, and the community. This website would be particularly useful for educators because it provides an abundance of tools, tips, resources, information, and strategies on how to work with and teach students with specific disabilities that are commonly seen in classrooms today. – Nada Offak
Special Education Prayers from the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
Embracing the Road to Independence
(Prayer service to open PA day for EAs and ECEs working with special needs students)Helpers on the Road to Independence
(Prayer service to open PA day for EAs and ECEs working with special needs students)Prayer for Assistive Technology Teachers
(Prayer before working with students using AT)Ephthata – Be Opened
(Prayer service for special needs educators inservice)Every Educator a Special Educator
(Prayer to begin Special Education inservice or PA Day)See Also Jan Bentham’s Prayers: (Ottawa Catholic District School Board)
A Prayer for Our Special Children
(Prayer asking God’s blessings on our Special Needs Students and those who care for them)A Tale of a Good Samaritan Teacher
(A Parable for Teachers based on Luke 10)