St Declan’s Church in Penshurst has created a guide to help neurodivergent children and adults better understand and participate in the Mass.
The guide walks the reader through the experience, beginning upon entering the church, including instructions on what to do at various points, and highlighting available quiet spaces as well as music-free liturgies.
Parish secretary for St Joseph’s and St Declan’s Frances Watton says the resource is not only for autistic people or parents but for anyone unfamiliar with Mass.
“I thought it might be helpful to have a step-by-step process for attending Mass, what to expect, and some of the strange things, or things that might be perceived as strange to a newcomer to the Mass,” she told The Catholic Weekly.
“Not every liturgy is exactly the same, so people on the spectrum might like to be prepared that there could be changes, as well.”
Watton, who is a parent to an autistic child, said she had difficulties trying to get her daughter to come to Mass and knew others had a similar struggle.
She has received feedback the resource is helpful.
“I feel like I’ve done a small part of what I can do to help autistic children feel comfortable in the community,” she said.
“That’s important to me, to be inclusive and make sure that everyone feels comfortable and calm and that they are welcome.”
Watton also hopes to extend the guide to include other important steps in young Catholics’ lives such as the sacraments of reconciliation, holy Communion, and confirmation.
“That would be helpful for them to help them be relaxed and enjoy the process rather than feel overwhelmed,” she said.
The resource is available on the St Declan’s website for anyone who thinks it would be useful as a template for their own parish, she added.
“Take the information they need and adapt it to their own parishes so that they don’t have to start from scratch,” she said.