Special Needs Ministry for Autistic Children
By its very nature, children’s ministry is challenging, but special needs ministry takes the challenge to a whole new level. Any children’s pastor familiar with teaching special needs children understands the importance of developing a unique approach and relationship with each child. It takes a great deal of effort, but it is well worth it when you can effectively connect and minister to a special needs child.
Autistic children are known for avoiding eye contact. And new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified why.
Autistic children shy from eye contact because they perceive even the most familiar face as an uncomfortable threat.
That is good to know, especially if you minister to autistic children. It was previously assumed autistic children struggled to process faces because of a malfunction in the brain’s fusiform region. This new research, however, shows that autistic children have “fundamentally normal” fusiforms but try to avoid eye contact because it over-arouses their amygdalas (an area linked to anxiety and mood disorders).
For Discussion:
- What advice do you have for ministering to special needs children?
[via ScienceDaily]
Will Clegg Said,
April 4, 2008 @ 6:34 am
My advice is not how, but that we need to develop ministries both in and beyond the church to minister to special needs children. I have to believe there are many families who do not attend church because the feel they cannot take their special needs child either because they fear they will disturb others or because they don’t feel they can entrust them to others. Any church that offers a safe and welcoming atmosphere to special needs children and their families will meet a deep need in their community.
TJ Said,
April 4, 2008 @ 8:16 am
Kent, thanks for addressing this issue. My pastor’s son suffers from Aspergers (mild form of Autism) and I know his needs are not being met by our childrens ministry. Not by negligence, but mostly due to ignorance.
I’m not a children’s ministry expert but from what I do know more inanimate objects need to be included in lessons. Things like puppets, videos, etc. take the focus off the teacher and engages the child without intimidating him/her.
This is a discussion that needs to take place within the larger community of Childrens Ministry. Thanks for starting it.
susan barber Said,
April 4, 2008 @ 8:46 am
Our church has offered Klub G.L.O.W. (God’s Love Overflowing Within) for the past year with great success. Special needs children are paired with trained adults or “buddies” to assist them at whatever level is needed. Sometimes the special needs children and their buddy are able to participate in the same class with their age group while other time the child and their buddy are in a quiet room especially designed for them as not to be overwhelming or too stimulating. The parents are able to go to church knowing their child is individually cared for. We also offer childcare a few nights a year for parents with special needs kids. This ministry was begun by a mom in our church with a special needs child.
David Said,
April 5, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
There isn’t just one way to do it.
As you’ve mentioned Autistic children don’t like too much stimulation. I didn’t know that.
But my son, severely disabled, thrives on it. His time in his mainstream class (in with typical children) it the best thing for him and the class. You see, it isn’t only about the disabled child, but also about the other children too. I would never have guessed that the mainstream class would do anything.
I’d have to say that the church is the least friendly place and the worst example of how to treat a disabled child.
The kid welcome team (of which I participate) was being instructed to watch out for disabled children and not to let them in unaccompanied until the kids pastor had met with them.
Well. Maybe. But what the heck does disabled mean? In a wheelchair? Down’s syndrome (there are different types)? I live with it every day and I’m hard pressed to tell.
I’ll agree that it is all to easy to send the signal, “Well, we’d really rather you not be here.”.
The parents aren’t looking to dump their children. Sometimes it is treating them as normal, sometimes getting a buddy (seen that work), or have a separate class.
I’d applaud the nights off concept. With divorce rates at 90% for parents of disabled children, you’re looking at one of two things: 1. A marriage in crisis or 2. A single parent.
As far as developing a special connection with each child…. Would be best if that happened all the way around - for all ages.
Kent Shaffer Said,
April 6, 2008 @ 6:52 pm
David, you are right on.
Great input. I like keeping “special needs” kids in with the rest of the class. I think it helps to let them know they can be a part of what is considered “normal.” I’m not sure how to put it into words. For me, it is an intangible benefit that is indescribable. I love your insight on the nights off concept.
I also like the Klub GLOW format that Susan mentions.
Sean Said,
April 7, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
The only piece of advice I have comes from my wife who is a special education teacher, and that is to put people first above the disability. The easiest way to start doing this is not refer to people by their disability. Thus, it is not “autistic children” but children with autisim. While it is a simple change in language, it can also lead to a subtle change in percepeption. People with a cognitive or physical disability should not be labeled by their disability.
Jeremy Said,
April 7, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Kent-
Great timing on this article.
My church is about to start a class for Autistic children on Sundays and possibly other times of the week. We have two autistic children in our church and one with asburgers.
We look at as a great opportunity to reach out to families who won’t come to church because they are afraid their autistic child will disrupt the service. Not only will we be able to minister to that child but to the family also.
We have several school teachers and special ed teachers who are going to be involved, we are also bringing in the local person from the city’s autistic center to train these people.
It sounds a lot like the Klub GLOW format that Susan is using.
I wonder if there is any way I could contact Susan and ask some questions.
I also know that there are lots of grants available for helping autistic children.
What an opportunity.
I’m excited about it and I don’t even work with children.
jordan fowler Said,
April 20, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
We have a large special needs ministry.that has two major components. Revive is respite care program for kids with special needs and their siblings two friday nights a month. We watch the kids w/ speical needs and their siblings so mom and/or dad can have a six to ten pm window to do something for themselves (date, errands, relax, etc.). It is dificult to find someone to watch you kids if one of them has special needs and the divorce rate is extremely high among such parents.. We have doctor, nurses and OT/PT’s on site. Also a ton of our church volunteers as an outreach. The volunteering is popular, so much so that several HS atheletic teams have adopted the program and the whole team comes and volunteers. We have all kinds of jump houses, sand tables, therapy swings etc.
We also have a Sunday morning program called the Joy Zone for children with special needs.
God has allowed us to work with the Vietnamese government because of these efforts. Our special needs teachers have actually written their national collegiate curriculum that every future teacher of special needs children takes at University. We also have been able to start a Hope Center in conjunction with Vietnamese nationals in order to create a lab to service children and do teaching labs. It has truly been an amazing journey for NorthWood Church thus far….(read more at mynorthwood.org).
jordan fowler Said,
April 20, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
And yes we mainstream buddy some kids. Revive services 85 families and 200 children per month.
Keisha Thomas Said,
April 27, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
I have read all the comments. They are very encouraging and give me hope. Our church meets in a middle school and is in the process of getting ready to build; however, we have a few children with autism and no program in place to facilitate their needs at the moment. Parents and child caren volunteers are all frustrated. I am the team leader and unfortunately do not know where to start. I do have a heart to help, but how? Any suggestions would be great.
Jeff Kunze Said,
May 19, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
I am a pastor with a severely disabled child. I believe God is calling to start a ministry to the families and the children. If someone were to start a ministry to you and your family, like a Joni & friends, etc. What would it look like?
Stacy Letner Said,
June 14, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
I have a stepson who is autistic , and I tried to take him to church , I really miss going to church as it is my time to reflect and to thank our lord for all the wonderful blessings he has given us .
My problem is I spent more time in the childs room than I spent at church , because the people who teach there are simply not educated in the needs of an autistic student .
I have been looking into getting a tss or a pca to come and help during church , but to no avail .
It would be wonderful if more people truly understood , instead of staring and whispering .
Mary Damon Said,
August 3, 2008 @ 8:55 am
Here in Macau we have many families with autistic children who want to come to our church because it is geared specifically for their kids. Most of the parents are idol worshippers! But we think this is a great place for them to learn about Jesus while they have fun with their kids.
Rhiannon Smyth Said,
September 1, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
I have a 20 year old son with Asperger Syndrome who loves the Lord deeply. Sadly the church environment has been the one place he has never been welcomed or encouraged to return. The secular world has been far kinder to him. Though he desparately wants friends and fellowship, the lack of encouragement within the church body has caused him to retreat further into his own world. He now refuses to try again. I am attempting to begin a new ministry here in Las Vegas, NV which will reach out to young adults like my son with the gospel, fellowship, and Bible study. I have written to many local churches to see if there are any people who would be interested in helping me begin this ministry locally and eventually take it worldwide; the need is so great. Thus far no one has replied but I am not discouraged; I know now after reading all the comments that there are others who care. I’m so glad I found this site.
Karen Hairston Said,
September 23, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
I am a pediatric physical therapist who absolutely LOVES children and adults with special needs. I decided to start our church’s special needs ministry when some of patients visited our church. At that time, I did not have children and didn’t realize how ignorant most churches are to the dire need of these families. The ministry has gone well, but I am wanting to see the bigger picture…I want the church as a whole to welcome people with special needs as soon as they arrive from the elders to the infants. I dream of the day when there are no second thoughts to people with special needs, especially in churches of all places. I
I have since adopted a son from Ukraine who has mild cerebral palsy and sensory processing difficulties (similar to autism). It has opened my eyes even further to the challenges that other families face when leaving their child somewhere.
1- I agree that it has to be a complete mental change in outlook towards these individuals
2- We currently do the ‘buddy’ system but are getting ready to have a seperate room for those who need it
3- We have set up an affiliation with a Christian non-profit group who has a respite night once a month with highly qualified volunteers, doctors, etc
4-I recently discovered Zachariah’s Way…an organization that educates churches on special needs and how to make them an integral part of your church
5- I constantly search websites for ways to improve our ministry as well as ask parents what they would like to see. Then I pray and wait for God to provide…He always does!
Alyssa Said,
October 1, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
I just wanted to comment… my church has just started a ministry specifically for children/adults with autism. I am the assistant director and I can say first hand that developing this ministry was not simple or easy in any sense of the word. You must know that a ministry like this will end up “taking over” your church, and while to many that doesnt sound good, it is an amazing thing for the families of those with a special needs and those who do not. The love these children begin to teach is something that nothing can compare to. Our group is seperated from the other typical children but they parents and siblings are welcomed and encourage to get involved in all areas of the church. Some of our children have acted as greeters with the aid of a buddy. Keep searching your community, you will be shocked by how many people are looking for exactly what you are offering. And while there will be many people who dont understand your reasonings for doing what you are, pray that God will open their hearts, because He does!! Good luck, and everyone at Kingdom Kids Autism Ministry will be praying for you!!
Sally Young Said,
October 8, 2008 @ 7:16 am
We recently had an incident with a child with autism who was disruptive in church. It was handled terribly and put our congregation in the category of churches who are anything but welcoming of individuals with special needs. As the Director of Children’s Ministries, I want very badly to find a way to include this parent in worship. As of now, our children come to worship with their parents and then leave with me about 20 minutes into the service for WOW-worship, our way. I want to be able to include this child whether it means having a buddy for him or finding other ways to include him. My problem now is how to accommodate this child, his sibling and mother during the first 20 minutes of worship without too much disruption of the service. Does anyone have any advice-I certainly could use some.