So, which are we? Are we the purse lipped, critical, selfish, glaring meerkat’s? Or are we part of the lion pride, standing up for those in our ‘family’ who need our help? Roaring in defence of those who are being picked on, bullied by members of our congregations that should know better...
But for many of us, our child with additional needs or disability is not our only child. We may have another child, or several others, all of whom need love, nurturing, care and support. This is an open letter to Phoebe, and to all the brothers or sisters of children with additional needs or disabilities…
There are many ways that those involved in children’s and youth work can make a big difference for children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families. I often get asked what one change can make the most difference, can have the greatest impact, can enable lasting transformation. The answer I always give is this…
There are many occasions where Jesus’ encounters with children were miraculous, including when he met children with additional/special needs or disabilities, but what about today? Do miracles involving children with additional/special needs or disabilities still occur? What do they look like? As parents or children’s workers are we right to hope, to pray, for miracles?
While Halloween is a fun time of year for many children, it can be a really difficult time for some, including many children with additional/special needs. For them it can be a confusing, anxiety inducing, or even utterly terrifying time. But it doesn’t have to be like that; if we stop for a moment to think about the things they might find hard and how to put things in place to help them, they can safely join in the fun too.
This weeks blog post is from a guest blogger, Nicky Ellis from 'Horses and Foals' https://horsesandfoals.com who writes about how horse riding therapy can help Autistic children... If your child enjoys riding a horse it’s the best therapy you can give your child to improve their skills!
For many people church as it currently exists in many, many places just doesn’t work, can’t work, won’t work. And it’s not just people on the margins of society that this is true for, it’s true for the majority of the communities in which these churches are located. It’s just even worse if you don’t happen to conform to the ‘typical’, ‘expected’ profile of church attendee; and that includes many, even most, families who have a child with additional/special needs or disabilities. Church needs a reboot before everyone can truly belong.
Have you ever tried body surfing? Think surfing, but without a surfboard or body board, just using your own body to ride the waves. What has this got to do with additional needs parenting? Well, it all depends on the size of the waves!
Surely in this day and age there can’t be anyone who would stop children with additional needs or disabilities, and their families, from being able to access church; anyone who would exclude them from all that church offers; anyone who would prevent them from belonging to the church community, can there? But sadly, this does happen all too often and some of the people responsible might surprise you!
The road to acceptance can be a long one for parents of children with additional/special needs or disability. Some reach it quicker than others, some struggle to get there at all. There are many stops along the way where we can get ‘stuck’… Additional/Special Needs Parenting: Welcome To Holland, Not Italy
Delightful Handmade Dog Products and Gifts
An additional needs Dad and Son baking adventure...
Special Education Teaching Resources, Sensory Stories and SEND Information
The Additional Needs Blogfather 