Expert: Tom Schott - 3/1/2010

Question
Hello! I have what I hope is a simple question. I have a 6-year-old boy with Asperger's. He and I have just recently started attending mass together. (We also attended as a family when he was younger, and have continued discussing religion at home. Both our children have autism and behavior has made it difficult to attend. So we are still in the beginning of our religious education with this little guy.) I am considering attending Mass with him on Friday, which is followed by Stations of the Cross. I was wondering if this is appropriate for a young child, and especially one with social and emotional delays.
Thank you. ~ Michelle

Answer
Michelle,

It's difficult to answer your question without knowing your boy. I have a grandson with Asperger's, and I think Stations of the Cross AND mass would have been a little much for him at that age. It's difficult for him to sit still now, and he's 16. I would think one or the other would be OK, and stations are shorter.