Incorporating Children with Special Needs

Biblical Basis: God’s Heart for the Overlooked Biblical Basis: John 5 If individual or families impacted by special needs and disability choose to attend or visit our church, will they feel that we are accepting of and accessible to their needs and differences?

It is the church’s responsibility to thoughtfully, intentionally, and respectfully engage everyone – because God loves them all. Biblical Basis: God’s Heart for the Overlooked

Support for Families Impacted by Disability How do we support families? At-birth diagnosis Early years diagnosis

Support for Families Impacted by Disability At-Birth - Principle #1: First contacts are most valued and should be made by someone with whom the parents already knows and with whom they are very comfortable.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Guidelines for “At-Birth” Support: Assign initial support person on a case by case basis. Utilize s and texts for initial contacts.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability At-Birth Principle #2: Validation for parents’ feelings of loss is more important to them than receiving an explanation of that loss.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Guidelines Talk less, listen more. Gift of presence.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Early Years - Principle #1 Recognize the parents’ journey with the child has been long and that the diagnosis will be met with mixed emotions of grief and relief.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Be Mindful Of: Some parents will not reveal diagnosis. Some parents will be in denial. Parents genuine fear of exclusion.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Practices: Identify and engage key support ministry influencers. Find ways to facilitate interaction and acceptance.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Early Years – Principle #2: Parents have an obligation to share knowledge about their child which could significantly benefit or protect the child, care givers, other peers, and church staff.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Practices: Create an open and disclosing environment. Involve parents in creating risk management procedures for their child.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Church Family – Principle #1: Ministry leaders must care most about the family’s connection inside the church – spiritually with God and emotionally with others.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Be Mindful that: Special needs issues affect churches of every size. Developing an inclusion support ministry will require an investment of people, time, and resources. Some people’s misunderstanding is ignorance; others, a lack of compassion

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Church Family – Principle #2: Develop a vision and ministry focus enabling a more seamless integration of individuals with support needs.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Practices: Free the ministry to focus on Jesus. Allow the children to enjoy church. Make serving in your ministry fun! Establish support boundaries for your volunteers. Ensure parents enjoy their church experience.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Practices: Establish a mission statement. Establish what your ministry can and cannot do. ‐There is nothing wrong with directing a family to another church that can meet an individual’s needs when the directing is done with love, respect, and genuine concern.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Church Family – Principle #3: Understand that there is no single way for a church to provide special needs inclusion that will please everyone.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Church Models of Support: Integrated Support Specialized Support Hybrid Support

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Church Family – Principle #4: When developing a child’s support plan it is more important to arrive at an agreement with that child’s parents than it is to ear approval from any outside party.

Support for Families Impacted by Disability Practices: Customized care Optimal support approach

Principles and Practices for Ministry Creating a Ministry Space: Beg, borrow, and steal ideas! Start simple – don’t go hog wild. Incorporate ideas from volunteers and professionals. Use catalogues. Check with church custodians: wide doors, fire regulations, etc.

Principles and Practices for Ministry Sensory Issues: Buy headphones Get dimmer lights Use iPads/Tablets Buy locks for doors Fidget toys

Principles and Practices for Ministry Programming: Main principle: create what works for your kids. Be fluid, flexible, and fearless. Imagine template.

Principles and Practices for Ministry Intake Interviews: Creating a written intake document is paramount to the success and safely of everyone involved. Home visit. Imagine sample.

Principles and Practices for Ministry Volunteers Recruitment: Find like-minded people. Advertise, advertise, advertise. Create promo video. Church ministry fair. Recruit from Bible Colleges.

Principles and Practices for Ministry Terminology Tips: See handout document.

Principles and Practices for Ministry Resourcing: theinclusivechurch.wordpress.com joniandfriends.org Authors: Amy Fenton Lee, Stephanie Hubach, Jeff McNair Curriculum: LifeWay, Bethesda Series, Orange, Friendship Ministries

Principles and Practices for Ministry Resourcing: Networking: Northview: Brent Lanigan Willingdon: Mellisa Ley Southridge Baptist: Ruth Jarvie Ladner Baptist: Kathy Mawhorter Schools, conferences, cold contacts