Headline of the Week Weak
Filed under: Headline of the Week
"Minnesota Church Files Restraining Order Against Autistic Parishioner"
He's not allowed to come to mass…because he's got autism and acts up! CLICK HERE to read the article accompanying this headline.
Church Files Restraining Order Against Autistic Parishioner
A Minnesota church is coming under fire for the way it's treating one of its parishioners.
Adam Race, 13, and his family did not go to mass at Bertha's Church of St. Joseph Sunday morning like they usually do.
The Todd County Sheriff told Adam's mom if she did take him to St. Joseph's, she would be arrested.
St. Joseph's has filed a temporary restraining order against Adam. In a statement, Father Dan Walz said he filed the petition as a last resort out of "a growing concern for the safety of parishioners".
Adam is severely autistic. He is home-schooled, and has attended St. Joseph's his whole life. He is also more than six feet tall and weighs more than 235 pounds.
In court documents, Father Walz said Adam's growing size makes it harder for his parents to manage his behavior during mass. Father Walz said Adam struck a child, bolts unexpectedly from church nearly knocking people down, including elderly people.
He said Adam also spits and urinates during church.
Carol Races said those allegations are either exaggerated or false. She said Adam is not angry or violent, he has never spit in church, and that on rare occasions, he has been incontinent.
Carol blames Adam's worst behavior, revving a church member's running car after mass, on a lack of accommodation from the church.
"They don't understand how the mechanisms of autism are working at the moment of these disruptions and so forth," Carol Race said. "And I want to point out that in the last couple of months Adam has been perfectly well-behaved. So that's what's shocking to me."
Carol said sometimes Adam is noisy and must be restrained during mass, but she said her family always sits in back and leaves church a few minutes early.
A hearing has been set on May 19th in Todd County Court.
While it is every Catholics right to attend mass, they also have a right to attend mass under safe conditions. If a fellow parishoner is posing a thread to them, then it's unfair to the rest of the church. This church offered the family MANY variations so that they all could still receive communion. They offered a separate room for the family, exactly like a cry room in which parents of young children sit and watch the sermon so as not to disturb everyone with the babies crying and whatnot. The family turned this offer down. They offered to bring communion to the house, like they do for elderly, sick, and contagious parishoners, but again the family refused. They started uploading and streaming the priest's sermons and offered to have the priest himself come out after mass and offer them communion and STILL THEY SAID NO. I have a son with autism as well, nowhere close to what this child is exhibiting though, but I have been an advocate for austic children for the past seven years. This isn't about his autism, it is about his past behavior of hurting other children while in mass and spitting and disrupting service. The church bent over backwards to accommodate this family and all the family sought was MEDIA ATTENTION. They should be ashamed of themselves for exploiting their son and their church.
people need to be more compassionate!
Re: DAVID – david you are hilarious, i couldnt have said it better myself.
Some people here are so gullible. Let me help you. When someone, in this case the Priest , wants to discriminate againist another, they ofter throw the word "safety" out there.
Most parents of austisic children have been through more than most of you can imagine. I HIGHLY DOUBT that this mother would lie about her son's behavior. She says they sat near back and left early when he was too loud. What else do you want from her?
The Catholic Church protects priests that violate young boys and now they look like they have moved on to protect those which discriminate as well.
Re: WWJD – mm no im pretty sure Jesus would appreciate that the Priest is still trying his best to make things work by offering a private service, and his mom said no..but thanks for comin out
My son is Autistic. Maybe more high functioning than this boy, but still I understand.
.
This crushes my heart.
.
The one place, maybe the only place, I'd hope this child would be accepted with open arms is before the heart of God.
Re: caitlyn –
well put
This makes me very angry. Autism is a disease that can not be helped. The child shouldn't be punished for being different. The restraining order needs to be overthrown.
Keep him out of there. He's probably stressing everyone out. It's going to turn people away and church numbers are going down as it is. His parents should find something fun for him to do on Sundays after they get back from church…maybe take him to McDonalds or something. That way he'd have something to look forward to.
I'm totallyappalled. I have a challenged son (not autistic) whose been similarly treated although never actually banned. He's left services in tears and I have told a few clergy what I think of their unChristian practices. If there are issues, let the clergyman and the parents get together and talk about it. In most cases, it can be resolved by mutual understanding. No one knows how to deal with a challenged young man without being helped to understand but these people don't really seem anxious to have any part of him. If someone wants a quiet place to snooze on Sunday, let them stay home in a darkened room. GRRRRRR
Re: Slutt –
Know what? Autism is not a mental disorder or illness. It neurological disorder which seems to be poorly understood among most people.
Re: MNmother –
also very well put
what do they expect? he was austism and should be treated with the same respect as everyone else, i work at a special school with kids for austism and this has made me so mad i dont know what to put.
Re: your dumb – You believe priests who if not helped cover up actively participated in molesting multitudes of young childre? WOW WWJD
My 22 yr old son is autistic and he also doesn't do well in with the other Church members…. my Assembly of God Church made a room with a couch and several comfortable chairs for us…. it overlooks the sanctuary and we have a huge window to see everything. The sound and lights crew wired in a speaker and it is just like being in the room!!! Everyone looks up at us and sends love. Ricky is comfortable and happy and not a distraction to anyone. MAybe that Church should do something like this for that young man! I can't believe they got a restraining order!!!1 How sad…. God loves everybody… that is HIS child. What were they thinking??
God Bless!
tutta la gente che pensa poichè il sacerdote è stupido! maiali acuti.
This is awful.
The poor kid's autistic, it's not like he knows right from wrong.
I have two autistic brothers so I take offense that a church of all places is doing this.
THank you Perez for posting this, this poor child doesn't know any better and is probably scared when he does what he does, it breaks my heart.
I cant believe this, my sister is autistic and people with autism cant help what there doing , its a mental illness, its such a shame, seeing as God is supposed to be all about loving one another un-conditionally, and respecting there neighbour, yet a priest and the church goers feel they have a right to throw someone out of a church who's autistic…fucking ridiulous.
Why doesn't the church provide a quiet room? Many, many churches have these quiet rooms for babies. The mass comes over a PA and the service is seen through a picture window. In my church a deacon even comes in to provide communion so the families in there do not have to even walk out. There is also a door to the parking lot so if things get really out of hand we can take the kids outside and away from the other kids.
Re: Natalie –
chill the out with the whole "thats what happens when you're catholic"
i'm catholic and i don't believe what that church is doing is right.
every sunday when i go to church we have mentally ill people or people with autism at church who sometimes and yell and do unapporiate things,
but my 'Catholic' church is super welcoming and has never complained.
so you need to relax with this stereotyping.
mk thankss.
Re: Polo – If he were in a whellchair and drooling, it would be markedly more difficult for him to hit people. He's hit several members of the church, so it's not like they're just banning him because he makes noise. Members of the congregation quit going to Mass because he HAS HIT people. He may be the sweetest kid most days, but at 6'2, 230, one elbow in teh face from that kid could send someone to the hospital. And the church has offered to make accomadations by offering the cry room and the mother won't compromise. I'm sorry, I don't give a shit what your kid has, if you can't keep them from hitting others in church then you don't get to bitch.
How Christian of them…its always the people that claim to be the most religious that are the biggest assholes. They will have to answer to God for their treatment of this boy. They need to learn some tolerance and compassion.
Re: outrageous! – They have tried to make accomodations. His mother won't accept them.
I have a 4 year old autistic son, and while at times he can be hard to handle i would never expect our church to turn our backs on us. that is insane. How can someone who is to be about god, bascially give up on one of their parishoners.. The family has been going there all his life.. and they just kick him out like he is noone. I feel for the family.. i know the difficulties they have and face everyday…. and to take away church….. thats pathetic.
Wow. I'm surprised the church didn't think twice about this, much less offer some accommodations for him. First the gays, now autistic kids… who's next?
And those people who seem to favor this for the "well-being of others", especially those elderly he allegedly shoved: last I saw was an old lady who almost caused an accident - such annoying behavior.
What I wonder, however, is if this kid goes through some kind of treatment they offer to autistic people?
Has the church not heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They are breaking the law by discriminating against this young man. My nephew is autistic but no where as severe as this young man. I understand that safety issue but they are breaking the law!
Sorry, I can't blame the church. My cousin has autism and is often very disruptive and hard to control even in normal circumstances. While I sympathize with them, the parents have no business bringing him to a church.
Re: LLLL –
Yeah, and you're a mental illness. Oh burn I got you.
wow… reading all this is shocking. I can't believe what some people let come out of their mouths. Having a child with autism, I get it… I protect other people and I make every effort to keep him from being a distraction… more often than not people reach out to us and are kind and loving. I think I have witnessed that so much that it SHOCKS me that there are people that are saying these awful things, like calling this boy a beast or a monster.
Probably these people will be struck with something awful like Alzheimers or something else that will teach them compassion and mor importantly right their wrongs by giving them their dose of karma…. poor fools..
I will pray for Totalmenteboludo, Kev carlos and the worst monster of all…. pEnE…… God bless ya'll.
Re: LLLL –
Shut up. I don't care what it's called, if I had an autistic baby I'd make it do Broadway plays for millions of dollars.
This child needs to be taught privately. His parents can teach him the Bible at home. He pees in church, pushes people over, and is very distracting. People are concerned about being fair to a child with autism, but they should also be concerned about being fair to the other church members.
This upsets me so much! I have a 5 year old with Autism and because of people that exaggerate like the people at the church here we don't go to church because of the looks people give and the stuff they say and we don't need that from people and my other 2 kids don't need to hear stuff from people who don't understand. I wish there was a place for us to go were people don't judge. someday maybe…….
There were so many better ways to handle this situation by this so-called "Man of God". This "priest" had the perfect opportunity to walk in Christ's path and emulate Him and teach by example by demonstrating that Christianity is about tolerance and compassion.
If he had concerns, did he even try to sit down with Adam's parents and express his concerns and try and discuss a solution?
The Church is God's house and God calls the children to Him because they are pure and innocent.
If there is any justice in the afterlife, that "priest" will have a restraining order from God against entering Heaven.
The answer here is a simple one….this is NOT one of Gods churches….it is one of Satan's…..Adam belongs to God……. hence why they dont want him……simple.
This is a sad situation however the church is correct because if the safety of others should come first over his right to attend church. And if a court of law agrees than it must be right. Others should be able to attend church and not be disrupted just because of one persons autism. I have kids and we sit in the cry room out of respect for others. So yes he has a right to go to church but others should feel safe and are there for a reason and their rights should be honored.
I have an autistic daughter and I would NEVER think of letting her go anywhere where she would behave the way that boy does! Autism is very sad but it isn't an excuse to let the child act like that!! My daughter doesn't want to potty train either, know what, she still wears a pull-up. Why can't that kid wear a depends or something? Why can't he sit in a the last pew with just him family or something to keep him from hurting other people? Why does the mother have to be an attention whore instead of finding a real solution to the problem?
Re: Djuna – I work with Autistic and Mentally Retarded, there are worse ones then him and they go to Church without fear of being banned. What he needs is a Behavior Analyst to come in figure out why he reacts that way and find a way to help prevent it. The Church needs to be schooled in what it means to be in the situation that he is in. There can be a happy medium but banning the poor kid isn't it.
I am not for discriminating against any group of people especially people with disabilities since I work with them often. BUT with that said, this kid is a big kid and his behavior is unpredictable and they did offer to have a private mass for the family. People were concerned about their elderly family members and children so that is understandable. I think in this situation it's the right thing to do to insure everyone's safety. I also think his parents should be spending more time working with him and helping him through this because things I have read so far about the family make it out to seem like "oh well this is the way he is" and they haven't tried to do much you know. Either way it is a sad story.
TO THIS "CATHOLIC" CHURCH: SHAME ON YOU. I AM CATHOLIC, CHRISTIAN AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WOULD I NOT ALLOW THIS BOY TO ATTEND CHURCH.
I HOPE THE CHURCH HAS TO PAY A FINE FOR THIS DISGRACEFUL EVENT. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE RACE FAMILY, AND PLEASE DO NOT LOSE FAITH.
The church has tried to make accomodations for this family. They offered streaming video of the mass in another room, among other things, and they turned all these down. The way I see it, is the mother is trying to get something out of her son's disability. I'm sorry, but if I went to church to reflect and pray, and was distracted by someone making noise, spitting, having outbursts, I would find another church.
I take my children into another room if they're disturbing others. It doesn't matter if the child is 2 or 18 - the family should have the same consideration for others.
Figures:
1. That it's a CATHOLIC Church
2. that he is misbehaving because the kid is afraid of being raped by the3. priest.
3. That supposedly devout catholics would feel disgust for anyone who is different (such as unwed mothers, substance abuse victims, gays, people of other religions, those who use birth control, etc, etc).
if he can't be controlled he shouldn't be allowed there.
I personally imagine that the church tried to accomodate him for a long time. No one, let alone a church, wants to be mean to someone with problems that they can't help.
YOU HAVE TO BE JOKING. ITS NOT A REAL CHURCH, REAL CHURCHES ALLOW ANYONE OF GODS CHILDREN TO JOIN REGARLESS.
WHAT SHITEOUS VIEWS THAT CHURCH MUST HAS.
THAT MAN SHOULD FIND A HOUSE OF GOD THAT LOVES HIM NOT PREVENTS HIM.
Wow, I should have never gone back through here and read people comments. Alot of people on here are so rude and mean, you people are the bullies in school or were the bullies in school and never out grew it. I just can not believe what I have read. You people need to go and stay with a family that has an Autistic child and see how it is. They can be hard to handle sometimes but the are people to and have feelings, they show love and show when they are sad just like you. You would not like it if people said comments like that about you.
I guess I thought that with Autism getting more attention now that more people would understand, I guess I was wrong!
I would spit and piss all over the place if some dumb bitch dragged me to fucking church too. Why the fuck is this bitch taking this poor retard to the most boring, self-loving den of pedophiles in the World. Isn't it obvious that if there is a God, he probably hates this poor kid and that's why he made him tarded? I think so. Google it.
There needs to be compromising from BOTH sides. Tough situation.
It doesn't matter that he's autistic. If he weren't, and he did the things that he does there, you'd have no problem with him being kicked out. He pushes elderly people, grabs girls and pulls them onto his lap; spits, pees, starts people's cars. The Church is worried about the other members. He's a danger. Especially at his size.
He may be autistic, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a major disruption and a danger.
Iused to look under the pews and girz legs! mmm good!
This is truly shameful. We need to teach children tolerance of all kinds. How can we do this, when you have a CHURCH kicking a kid out with a disability that controls him not the other way around. I have gone to mass all my life, you see kids running around, throwing up, spitting, crying like nobody's business, throwing crap across the pews and the list is endless. But, does anyone ever say, DON'T COME BACK OR LEAVE??? HELL NO, to the N.O.!!! This is a bunch of bullshit!!!
They have tried to work w/ him. When you are a danger to others and have to be restrained it is unerstandable. He tried to steal a car, has lifted up girls skirts, not ppl over, and his parents have to sit on him to keep this from happening. He is a possible dange and once the family can control him let him back in
I have to agree with the church just because they tried to do there best. I know people at the church and the family is the one who was being difficult. They were offered privet room or sermons. They need to be respectful to their church. People with crying babies or people who are sick and cough go into the hall our of respect for the other people in the chuch where this family thought they were to important to.
Re: Liz –
Liz, you're an idiot. Where in the story did it say he knocked anyone over? The priest says he "nearly" knocked people down. By the sounds of it, he hasn't actually touched anyone in church.
I love it how some people read something and make things up.
it is nice to see you have not researched it and are just reading one article that perez posted. that says a lot about where you get your current events. do a little more research and you might understand more about the situation.
Re: TotalmenteBoludo – I think its horrible that people are calling him a monster he has autism its not like he chose to do those things whether or not the family or church is right or wrong IDK but people grow up a bit and stop calling him names what are we in the first grade its because of people like you that we have school shootings
im amazed at how stupid christians are
The church isn't discriminating against him for having autism.
It's because of the way he acts.
Just because he can't help his disruptiveness doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Did anyone even read the article? The Church has no choice in this matter, they have been bending over backwords for this kid. Illiterate athiests.
First off if it was your small child who was hit or knocked down you would be upset if they were hurt. I understand it is not his fault, but you need to protect your children. Everyone says that anyone is welcome in church, but how welcome would you feel in church if you were urinated on or a huge kid injured your child whether it be his fault or not.
i don't usually comment on your stories, but this one… really grinds my gears. my brother is severly autistic and yeah he's a pain in the ass, but he's still a human, and arn't we all equal in his eyes? i think these people should really take a hard look at themselves and realize people with disability are not going anywhere, and they should start to make changes now.
that's bullshit.
For all those who think it's terrible, that big ol' bad church discriminating against that poor, defenseless autistic boy, please take him to your services at your institution of choice. Someone sitting drooling in a wheelchair is not disrupting the service and they don't require to be restrained by several grown men. Sorry, but the behavior impacts everyone else there. He has to go.
You know… unfortunately,churches today are big business. They are begging for money left and right saying god wants you to give it to them (probably to pay for a bigger building or maybe for the softball team to have new uniforms!) I'm sure this kid was bad for business. Honestly, I would probably go to a different church if I felt my children were in danger. Children with autism shouldn't be locked away from life but their parents do need to consider their special needs and the comfort and safety of others. This is really a no win situation.
Whatever happened to keeping the crazies locked away in a cellar or a tower like in Jane Eyre…??? Who wants the village idiot running, bolting, spitting, pissing, shitting, and cavorting in the freaking church house for Christ's sake.
this is a very tough and sad situation
the parents should work on behavioral issues with the help of an aid, just to help him out and make everyone less stressed while taking an autistic child out on errands, and church.
my brother has autism, and this is very sad for me to read, but i do think the parents should work a bit with his behavior to be more suitable in church.
we did this with my bother and my synagogue was very welcoming
he recently had a bar mitzvah 
but aren't all people from minnesota "different"? (*cough* judy garland *cough* winona ryder *coughs*)
I don't think this is wrong at all. I think autism is just another made up thing that people use an an excuse because they have poorly behaved children. If he was interrupting and a threat to the safety of others then yes he should not be allowed back, church or not. Look at the kid, he is huge, and when someone like that cannot control themselves, and their parents cannot control them, they cause major harm to others.
I don't see anything wrong with what the church did if they offered private service for him and his mother refused. i'm not a fan of churches, but i wouldn't want that kind of stuff going on in a classroom where i'm trying to learn something. that's why there's special ed. same thing.
Stupid Catholic Church!!! I have two children with Autism and this makes me red with anger!!! Stupid Catholic Cult!!!! This is the one of the many reasons I left the church!!! And became a Muslim !!! Besides the fact that the chruch lies to people!!!!! And the chruch claims it loves everyone!!!!
Re: Kev Carlos – Fuck You you are the narrow minded retard!
Um, this kid isn't a kid. He's over 6 ft tall and 235 pounds. His parents can't control him and he's violent and aggressive. Obviously the safety of others has to come first! Schizophrenics often try to harm themselves and others, and many are court ordered to take their meds or be locked up. Is that wrong too? They are God's children after all. Maybe we shouldn't discriminate against them either. Let's allow everyone, no matter how ill and unsafe, to run around and cause harm to others. Please! The safety and well-being of others ALWAYS comes first.
The parents have a lot of nerve taking him to that church week after week, disrupting mass and bothering everyone around them. They were offered private mass or a private room and TURNED IT DOWN. Screw them.
Um it's not like he has a clue what's going on! So why drag his big, out-of-control ass there? Let him stay home and color. Give him (and everyone else) a break. He obviously doesn't have a clue what's going on when he's there AND he's bothering everyone else!
Then again, anyone who goes to church is a retard to begin with. So I guess he fits right in.
They should have a separate mass for autistic children, and if they act up , they can hit them with a metal ruler…
I think we all should reserve judgement until more of the story comes out.
I think this is completely disgusting, what happened to putting other interventions in first, sit him at the back, let him out first, sit him in between to big strong blokes, have compassion try and do something, for someone who know no better.
As a single mother of an autistic 11 year old I see why they don't want him there. My son has severe autism also. I have a respite worker come to my house and stay with him every other week so I can attend church. No way would I be able to make him sit still and stay quiet during service. And I also don't think he would enjoy being there anyhow.
I have a brother that is disabled and i think what is happening to this young man and his family is very sad.to think the one place were we are all supposed to be eccepted for whom we are could turn there backs so easaly on someone just for being diffrent.I understand that they want to keep other's safe but realy how dangerous is he.So if the church can do this how many others will feel they can outcast these people just for being diffrent aren't we all children of GOD he made us all who we are so is he wrong for making the hanicap handicapd.so sad
Re: pissed off – So just because he has autism he has the right to hurt others and destroy things? Give me a break-the church tried to help the family but they (the family) refused. Get your facts straight first bitch!
Re: WHAT THE FUCK IS A RETARD DOING AT CHURCH ANYWAY? – Compliments like that show just how smart you really are, what an ass, you that is.
Maybe the church can make other options open for the family, and not just the body and blood
Re: Stacey –
Autism isn't a disease. It's a disorder. But I do agree with those who say it is best for him to not be in church. He is not benifiting from it, and is disrupting others. I do have compassion for those on the Autism spectrum, but some one behaving in such a severe way should not be attending church. His mother needs to realize that and perhaps accept the preist's offer of a private service.
PS I am from MN and I agree with the girl who said we are getting a bad name… haha.. we really aren't all crazies!
When I was 11 years old I was attacked during mass by a severely retarded man. It was devastating and humiliating to me. I was too young to understand his disability. Looking back, the only thing that would have prevented this attack would have been to keep this guy away from people…even during mass.
Re: WHAT THE FUCK IS A RETARD DOING AT CHURCH ANYWAY? – retard you FUCKING IDIOT how dare you say such bull shit!! people like you are what is wrong with this world let me tell you if i knew where you lived and i'm sure many will agree i would find you and kick the everliving shit out of you by the time i was finished with you you would have wished you kept your ignorent mouth shut you fucking piece of shit.you seriously need to fucking get on your knees and prey to god that you don't go straight to HELL when you die motherfucker cause you are going sraight down.I can't tell you how much i would love to rip your fucking head off and shit down your neck.your gonna get yours i promise.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do NOT say this is justified! My niece is autistic and I do understand why the priest is concerned however, most churches have other rooms where the mass can be heard. There are plenty of other ways to make this poor boy and his family comfortable without ostracizing them. My niece may have her moments in which she has difficulty controlling herself but she does know what is going on and she knows what is wrong. This boy might be somewhat simple minded but he knows what certain things are and if he wants to be with God that the church should foster that not hinder it.
That's terrible
Okay, everybody simmer down! If this unruly person, regardless of handicap, prevents the other churchgoers from finding fulfillment during the service, then yes, he should be banned. What is everyone supposed to do? Could you sit through a service while somebody was causing a commotion, assaulting church members and starting their cars? It just isn't acceptable behavior in any setting, but especially when people are attending church in search of peace. Who could pray or meditate when they have all of that going on? The priest has offered to say masses in private but the family refuses. How selfish! I certainly understand wanting to give your child a normal life, but at what cost? I hope that family can afford to support the church by themselves when everyone else leaves…
For the crybabies who say "this is why I left the church"… I'd like to see you get pushed to the grown by 235 pound kid or have him take your car for a joy ride and then see what you have to say.
People are so quick to blame the church? I know why… because they are too lazy and undisciplined to be able to follow and kind of a spiritual life. If my child is a danger to others then my right as a parent is to make sure that he does not hurt others. I HAVE NO RIGHT AS A PARENT TO SUBJECT OTHERS TO POSSIBLE VIOLENCE OR DAMAGES TO THEIR PROPERTY. All of you idiots saying the church should be ashamed of itself are the ones needing your heads to be examined for lack of common sense!
The main problem I see with this story is the way in which the church handled this matter. You do not file a restraining order against members of your church. They should have held a private conference with the family to discuss their concerns and reach a feasible, equitable solution.
Regardless, ANY church has the right to discommunicate parishioners at will, it's just not usually done. It's not against the law. Bad PR move in which this church engaged.
I think that this IS BULL SH*%& My brother is Autistic And that is just WRONG…I think stuff like this should not even be able to happen Its pretty much saying handicap people Arent A loud in Public …Its JUST WRONG
I have a few friends who attend this church, and i was sad/angry the first time I heard this story too. but the fact is the church has tried to make MANY accommodations for the boy (back room, church at home-where the priest would come to the house himself, etc..) and the family declined them all. Considering the boy becomes violent, I agree that he should definitely not be allowed in church
My last comment was reactionary. If people don't want to deal with the situation then they can attend another service. I'm sure that not everybody is bothered by his behavior, so if the family attend service at a specific time and all of the parish members know this then they can adjust their schedules accordingly. That being said, the family is still responsible for his behavior and it is irresponsible to put him in a situation where he might cause harm to others. This is true regardless of disability. Be a good parent and see the big picture!
I teach children with Autism. Sitting through an hour long Mass isn't appropriate for children who are on the severe end of the Autism spectrum. Their ability to remain on task is very short. I think these parents need to take into consideration the other parishioners. Seriously, how could you focus on praying when someone is screaming, urinating, and moving around at the back of the church. When infants and toddlers start to cry or scream it is only appropriate and respectful to take them and leave. These parents should have the same respect for the others even though their child has Autism.
How many of you have actually been around autistic children? Some of them can be violent and difficult to control, especially if they are physically large. I know a woman who had an autistic teenage son who would trash their house, hit her, and throw her against the wall. She refused to get help or put him somewhere suitable because "she loved him". I won't be at all surprised if he ends up killing her someday.
If someone is becoming violent and is putting others (especially those too young, old, or frail to defend themselves) at risk, banning them from attending might be the only choice. Get real.
Here's the perfect opportunity for these people to teach their son how to behave in public. If you act out in church, we leave,, if you behave, you get to stay. Thats a positive reward for good beavior, plain and simple. I have an autistic son and I expect the same from him. I dont see disrupting the whole congregation as a great way to introduce or teach people about autism. Autism affects behavior as much as anything and its very difficult to deal with, but these kids have to learn how to behave in public and in life so they can attend in church and do normal things in the community without scaring away the whole community. I would say,, if he has this kinda of behavior as an adult,, they failed in teaching him when he was younger…..the school, his parents, whomever, but its never too late. I think the church offered to give him communion and serve him aside from him being inside the church. If your child/adult cant handle being in public then why force the issue at everyone elses expense. Use common sense and courtesy for the childs comfort and for others. I think the church has a resonsiblity to the whole community not just one person. I read they are willing and wanting to help these people not just exclude them from Mass. You cant shove autism tantrums down other peoples throats just cause your in church.
hes a DANGEROUS retard
he just a burden to society
they should just kill him
Re: Katy – so i suppose you would like all disabled people hidden from society so you wouldn't get humiliated again??? you just humilated yourself with your ridiculous statement,,,idiot
MAKES ME SO MAD! no need to go to that church!
How heartbreaking! Reluctantly, I agree with the church's decision. At over 6 feet and 200+ pounds, hitting and spitting, he's obviously a threat to the safety of others. He could easily put someone in the hospital with one punch. Clearly, the mother has no control over him. How else would he have gotten out and started up another person's car? I am appalled that rather than take responsibility for her lack of control over her child, she blamed the church. How is it the church's fault HER kid started up the car? With that statement alone, she lost all credibility. She gives parents of autistic children a bad name. When your child becomes a physical threat to others, it is your responsibility AS A PARENT to make sure others are kept safe from YOUR CHILD.
I think the mother should accept the church's compromise where they offered a separate room or take them up on the home services. Her poor son is probably bored out of his mind anyway, trying to sit through a service quietly. She needs to think of her son's needs and what would be best for him, ahead of her own needs and wants.
Regardless, what a sad, sad story.
This is sick. This "priest" should be coming up with plans to accomodate this child, not ban him. Does he cause a ruckus in church? Fine, install one of those back rooms with speakers where parents can take unruly children and still hear the mass. Perhaps the time it took that holy hypocrite to file a restraining order on a child who's disabled through no fault or choice of his own could have been better used to provide a private service to the family.
If pissing, spitting and hitting children at church is wrong I don't wanna be right!
Furthermore I garuntee that 99% of the people who are "outraged" by this DON'T go to church and are looking for another reason to be judgemental.
my oldest son has autism. this is awful. people tell me to have faith and trust god and blah blah blah. when the people that are in control of his churches are not letting in people that aren't good enough. judge not les ye be judged anyone???????????????the people that run that church deserve the fiery brimstones of hell more than any innocent child with a condition they can't control.