Dealing with Autistic Sensory Issues at Mass

Last updated on: October 10, 2019 at 12:21 pm by Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC

Dealing with Autistic Sensory Issues at Mass 2019-10-10T12:21:38-04:00 Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Following in my series of videos on autism and Catholicism, today I address issues surrounding Mass. The experience of Mass can be a horrible sensory experience for autistics. I want to present some ideas on how both autistics and parishes can overcome these issues.

Autistics at Mass

In the video, I talk about various ways we autistics can deal with sensory issues at Mass. I note specific Masses that can help, strategies for autistics, and when sensory issues exempt one from their Sunday obligation.

This video covers the basics regarding getting to Mass as an autistic Catholic. We all need the Eucharist regularly. Jesus asks us this commitment of coming to say “I love you” each Sunday. I think most of these would apply more-or-less to my Orthodox or Protestant brethren (obviously comments about Latin Mass don’t really apply).

Some Masses are specifically designed to be sensory-friendly, while other Masses can be more sensory-friendly than the standard parish Sunday Mass.
When trying to manage ou sensory issues, we should be realistic about our sensory environment and not try to be supermen or superwomen. We need to go to Mass calm and use what we need like stim toys or headphones discretely.
The obligation to go to Mass does not apply when impossible. If you try to avoid it, but still have a meltdown or shutdown just before Mass, the obligation to attend Mass no longer applies, just like if we have a cold.

(This video is also on Facebook.)

Looking Forward to More Autistic Priest Videos

I often record videos in batches. I think about several videos, and take rough notes, then I record them all in one day. This is the last one in this batch and would love suggestions for topics for future videos. Please message me on Facebook or Twitter with suggestions. I have some ideas but want to serve my fellow autistics and what your concerns are.

Note: I rely on donations so I appreciate it if you can help me by sponsoring me on Patreon.

Previous Post

October 8, 2019

Let’s Use “Fertility Awareness” not “Natural Family Planning”

Next Post

October 12, 2019 No Women Are in Formation to Be Permanent Deacons

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Autism Bioethics Book Review Business and Economics Catholic Social Teaching Culture Diocesan Life Disability Discipleship Euthanasia Family Life Genetics Global Politics History Immigration Inspiration Interview Liturgy Moral Theology My Life News Analysis Original Articles Prayer Privacy Pro-Life Science Sexual orientation or identity Social Media Sports Technology Theology Uncategorized US Politics Vatican

Select a Month March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz