Development with Autism

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Question

Dear Rabbi, hello. My son has delayed development and barely speaks. I want him to observe Shabbat, but he does not. I try to explain to him that today is Shabbat and it needs to be observed, but he does not understand. He has autism. How to deal with this? I want my child to speak clearly and understand. Bless him: Chaim Israel ben Orit, he is 4 years and 10 months old. I want him to observe Shabbat, but he still does not understand, he does not know what Shabbat is. At what age should he observe Shabbat? I want to do this peacefully and not with shouting, because it will not help.

Answer

Hello, 

There is no obligation to educate a child to observe Shabbat unless the child is capable of understanding. 

There is also no benefit in explanations, and certainly not in shouting, for someone who struggles with understanding. 

Wait until you see that he understands what is being said to him in simple matters.

Only then can you begin to slowly teach him about commandments like Shabbat, which are complex and abstract matters. 

I pray for his complete health. 

Source

Sukkah 42a

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