Communion and the developmentally disabled

Still other Christian traditions understand the practice of Eucharist principally as a communal expression of community solidarity or unity and, therefore, administer the sacrament indiscriminately during the liturgy.

Thomas Aquinas maintained that all cognitively impaired Christians have a right to the Eucharist and that the sacrament should not be withheld from such persons, except in the most extreme of circumstances (STh III.80.9).

The Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church has official policy about how the sacraments should be administered in the case of adult Christians who lack the use of reason.

[2][3] Additionally, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stated in its Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (approved 1995): In an effort to better reach marginalized populations, such as those living with autism and other developmental disabilities, while at the same time providing for their religious education, organizations have emerged offering online alternatives to traditional Faith Formation in keeping with the USCCB's Guidelines.

[6][7] However, most Anglican churches hold an "open table", meaning that all baptised Christians are welcome to receive communion.