Resources for Working with Persons with Special Needs

• Catechetical Leaders and Catechists
• Pre-School
• Elementary School
• Confirmation
• Adults 
• Games
• Music
• Videos
• Websites

A Place for All
Mary Therese Harrington (S.H. Liturgical Press, 1992)

 

Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities

(US Conference of Catholic Bishops)

 

Catechists for All Children

(Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, 2002)

 

Exceptional Teaching: A Comprehensive Guide for Children
(Standard Publishing Company, 2002)

 

Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities

Barbara Newman (Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2001)

 

How the Special Needs Brain Learns

David Sousa (Corwin Press, 2001)

 

Opening Doors of Welcome and Justice to Parishioners with Disabilities: A parish resource guide

National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Washington, D.C.

Exploring Faith
CD and handout series.

 

Step by Step

Lectionary based take home leaflets.

Blest Are We 

Great ideas for catechists along with a family section and special needs component.

 

Gifts of Eucharist: We Celebrate Eucharist; Gift of Reconciliation
Good sacramental supplements for this age.

 

Eucharist: Reconciliation

Sacramental preparation series.

 

We Believe
Most extensively researched catechetical program published.

 

Let the Children Come to Me

Guidebook and laminated cut-out figures to teach Scripture stories and parables. 

 

Footprints in Faith

Requires higher level of reading ability.

 

God's House

Small child size book of the objects we see in church. 

 

The Complete Children's Liturgy Book

Liturgy of the Word for Cycles A, B and C. 
May need to adapt for children with Special Needs.

This Is Our Faith

Grade-7 book on Jesus is easily adaptable for students.

 

We Celebrate Confirmation

This book may be used to teach Confirmation basics along with the Grade-7 book on Jesus as a review.

Bridges: A Curriculum for Persons with Mental Retardation

 

Sacraments of Grace, Sacramental Preparation for Mentally Handicapped Teens and Adults

Lesson plans for Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation and Matrimony.

1. All Saints March
2. Advent March
3. Board Games
4. Lenten "Go Fish"
5. Tic Tac Toe
6. Golf
7. Race Car

Enter the Journey 

Music for liturgy and worship that corresponds to the liturgical year and season.

 

Hi God Tapes and Cd's & Hi God Gesture Book

 

Share the Light

Includes CD-ROM with Quick Time video showing gestures to use with songs. 

Baptism – A Promise to Disabled People
Examination of the sacramental life of the disabled person in light of church responsibility. (16 min.)

 

Building the School Team

Offers techniques for motivating teacher acceptance of the disabled child. (40 min.).

 

Circle of Friends

Tells the story and procedure for making friends.  (Tape 1- 24 min.; Tape 2 – 30 min.).

 

Creative Management of Classroom Behavior

 

Improving Achievement
An in-depth look at educational barriers and solutions for the learning disabled student. (23 min.).

 

The Inclusive Catholic Community

The vision of a community that includes all people based on the Gospel message. (45 min.).

 

The Inclusive Classroom
Describes the "elegant simplicity" of education for all children especially those disabled. (45 min.)

 

Misunderstood minds: Searching for Success in School

Good background for awareness education.

Recognize-Respond to Learning Disabilities in the Catholic School

Discusses causes and classroom characteristics of learning disabilities, practical accommodations, grading and evaluation. (41 min.)

Disability Concerns and the Parish Community
Information compiled by the Archdiocese of Detroit Disability

Concerns Advisory Board

 

ADD In School

 

ADDed Reality

 

Child Development & Parenting Information

 

Easter Seals

Offers a wealth of information that could be used in social inclusion programs, including "Understanding Disablititey," "Myths and Facts about People with Disabilities," and "Friends Who Care."

 

Education Planet

 

Get Smart

 

LD Online

An interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and children.  Here you can find out about learning disabilities in depth, get advice from a specialist, and share personal stories.  Kidzone features games, art, and other creative avenues for children.  Mentor Teacher of the month offers ideas and strategies of teaching students with learning disabilities.

 

Learning Disabilities Association of America

 

Learning Disabilities Online

 

Misundersood Minds

 

National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)

 

Nichcy 

Hablamos Espanol

The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities is a referral center for disability-related issues.

 

SchwabLearning.org

 

Special Religious Development - Archdiocese of Chicago