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"According to Walz, Adam struck a child during mass, nearly knocks elderly parishioners over when he hastily exits the church, spits and sometimes urinates in church and fights when he is being restrained.

He also one time assaulted a girl by pulling her onto his lap and, during Easter mass, ran to the parking lot and got into two vehicles, starting them and revving the engine, Walz alleged.

"There were people directly in front of the car who could have been injured or killed if he had put the car in gear," Walz wrote."

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I really don't blame the priest. At 6 ft and 225 lb, the boy is not just an out of control kid--he could be a serious danger to others, and the priest has a responsibility to his *whole* parish, not just that one family.

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ORIGINAL: tracydolls

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S448291.shtml?cat=1

""A Catholic priest has filed a restraining order against the parents of a severely autistic 13-year-old boy in an effort to keep him from attending the church here on Sundays""'

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ORIGINAL: 3cappuccinosmom
My gut reaction was "How mean" but after reading the rest of the information, I really don't blame the priest. At 6 ft and 225 lb, the boy is not just an out of control kid--he could be a serious danger to others, and the priest has a responsibility to his *whole* parish, not just that one family.

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I used to do special needs workshops for our church. I read about one church had a special service for the families with special needs. They then asked other families to attend so that the children with the behavior problems would get used to being around kids.

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The Diocese of St. Cloud issued a statement saying the petition was filed "as a last resort out of a growing concern for the safety of parishioners and other community members due to disruptive and violent behavior on the part of that child."

Walz said the boy's behavior worsened over time, telling authorities that Adam has been "extremely disruptive and dangerous" since last summer.

According to Walz, Adam struck a child during mass, nearly knocks elderly parishioners over when he hastily exits the church, spits and sometimes urinates in church and fights when he is being restrained.

He also one time assaulted a girl by pulling her onto his lap and, during Easter mass, ran to the parking lot and got into two vehicles, starting them and revving the engine, Walz alleged.

"There were people directly in front of the car who could have been injured or killed if he had put the car in gear," Walz wrote.

Adam's parents have to sit on him and sometimes tie his hands and feet to get control of him, Walz wrote.

Carol Race has an answer to each complaint.

She said her son makes spitting faces but doesn't spit and acknowledged he has occasional problems with incontinence. She says that she and her husband sit on Adam because their weight calms him down, which is why he pulled the girl onto him.

She also said they do use soft straps to bind Adam's hands and feet on occasion because it calms him, as does the revving sound of engines, which is why he started the cars.

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ORIGINAL: garsyt

I know this area of the country as I grew up in the same general vicinity and had a boyfriend at one time that lived right across the street from the church in question. This is a small town church. VERY SMALL town. The next nearest Catholic church is at least 15 miles away. And to a Catholic family to not go to Mass is a sin, especially small town catholics whom have been attending the same church for YEARS.

While I understand the need to put the needs of the group as a whole over the needs of one, but really is that a good Christian witness? The mother herself has stated that the family sits in the back or in the cry room as to not disrupt the entire congregation or service and they leave early as to avoid problems with Adam's behavior and interactions with others.

I don't know about you but I see that as at least TRYING to avoid problems on the part of the parents. Honestly the problem with him getting into other people's cars could simply be avoided by telling parishoners that it is not a wise idea to leave their keys in their cars or their doors unlocked. Reasoning with grown adults should be easier then reasoning with a 13 year old autistic child.

Going elsewhere in small town Minnesota is often times not possible, especially if you are of certain denominations. Lots of these churches are very small and set in their ways and unwilling to make apporpriate accomadations to families with disabled children. Sure they may offer a seperate service for this family, or a home bound service - but really why should the rest of the family be restricted to a seperate service away from other parishoners, simply because they want to attend as a family. Sure the rest of the family isn't banned from attending Mass, but isn't church supposed to be about families learning and being together and isn't Adam part of this family?

I'd like to know what, EXACTLY, other options had been made available to this family.

I'm going to ask my mother tonight what's being said about this up in that area, as she still lives there.

Blessings,

Garsy

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ORIGINAL: Closie


But more importantly, the family needs to realize that at some point that child is going to have to be around other people.

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In an affidavit, Walz said the church "explored and offered many options for accommodations that would assist the family while protecting the safety of parishioners. The family refused those offers of accommodation."