Karen Pool of TFH USA/ www.specialneedstoys.com did a great job walking us through the benefits of providing a space that meets a child’s sensory needs. These environments can be created for the purposes of (1) relaxing or calming a child; (2) helping a child be interactive; (3) meeting a child’s needs for gross motor play. Attached here is the powerpoint of Karen’s presentation. The photographs are incredible: Karen Pool – MSE Presentation Orange Conference 2012
Karen pointed out that the components of an effective MSE include (first 3 are most important):
- Bubble Columns
- Effects Projector (projects moving visual images)
- Fiber Optpics
- Aromatherapy & Music
- Mirror Balls
- Sound Sensitive
- Positioning/Resonance/Waterbeds
- Tactile Walls
- Ball Pools
- Gross Motor (cubes, slides, tunnels, ssteps, wall & floor pads)
- Vestibular (swings, leaf chairs)
We talked about the importance of purchasing and installing high quality products. If a child were to get hurt on a homemade piece of equipment or something that was installed improperly, the church can be exposed to unnecessarily liability. All products manufactured, distributed and installed by TFH USA/www.specialneedstoys.com go through a rigorous testing and are warrantied at a higher level.
Karen provided each participant a copy of TFH’s 212 Special Needs Toys Catalog, which is an incredible resource. Each page explains the purpose and applications for products, many of which can be used in a special needs ministry setting. Karen specifically discussed several products featured in the catalog and Meaghan Wall also shared some favorite products during her workshop “How to Create a Special Needs Ministry Environment.“
TFH-USA: 1-800-467-6222
info@tfhusa.com
From Orange: Using I-Pads in a Special Needs Ministry #OC12
Meaghan Wall led a great workshop on how to use an iPad as a tool in special needs ministry. Meaghan covered a number of “do’s” and “don’ts” with the iPad. She introduced some of her favorite apps and gave great advice on how not use the tool. Meghan introduced the Big Grips frame that she uses to protect the iPads used in her church’s special needs ministry. Below is the contact information to obtain one of your own:
KEM Ventures, Inc.
Makers of Big Grips Frame™ for iPad
Toll Free (888) 456-7047
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Here are some iPad apps that the audience members shared as their favorites (many are not necessarily Bible-related).
- ABC’s and Me
- American Girl
- Angry Birds
- Barbie
- Bejeweled
- Bob Books App
- Buddy Bear Lite
- Child’s Bible
- Cookie Doodle
- Cookie Marker
- Doodle Buddy
- Dora ABC’s
- Draw Something
- Drop Box
- Evernote (Notes for phone and goes to your computer)
- Falling Stars
- Feel Electric
- Fluid 2
- Fluidity
- Fruit Ninja
- Garage Band
- Glo Bible
- Leap Frog
- Mad Math
- Mahjong (Tile Matching Game)
- Map My Bun
- Monkey Lunch Box
- Mr. Giggle
- My Fitness Pal
- Noah’s Ark
- Pictello
- Pinterest (Free)
- Proloquo2go (More then $3.00)
- Quotes
- Reasoning And Problem Solving
- Relax M.
- Scramble with Friends
- Shut the Dice Box
- Simple Physics
- Speak It! (Text To Speech- Great For Non-Verbal Children)
- Starfall ABC’s (Free)
- Talking Tom and Other Talking Characters
- Tap To Talk (Free)
- Veggie Tales
- Words With Friends
- You Version
This earlier post essentially served as the introduction for this workshop: iPads, Apps, and Technology in Special Needs Ministry.
**Also, due to a technology glitch, an email was not sent out to the blog’s distribution list for today’s earlier post. Be sure to check out From Orange: Special Needs Champion Spotlight – Denise Briley.
One of the best things about the Orange Conference is the chance to connect with people who have the same passions. For me personally this is the time of year to “fill up my tank” of renewal and encouragement. Last night, even before a single artist has taken the stage, sang a song, or given a talk, the inspiration has begun for me. During preregistration last evening several special needs ministry champions gathered in an open area. It wasn’t 10 minutes before the stories and laughter had started. And the best storyteller among us was without a doubt, Denise Briley. I often describe Denise as “the aunt everyone wishes they had.” Denise can make you laugh and cry all in the same story. On the days I am tired and have lost my way, even as a writer, it seems less than coincidental that I hear from Denise is some fashion (God knows what we need some days, doesn’t He?) Denise embodies every reason I am called to promote special needs inclusion in churches. For those of you who aren’t with us in person at OC12, I want you to know Denise.
Denise Briley founded the JOY Ministry of Graceview Baptist Church in Tomball, Texas in 1995 and led the church’s special needs ministry for 16 years. Today Denise is the Special Needs Ministry Coordinator for the “Thru the Roof” ministry of Houston’s First Baptist Church. In Denise’s book, Feathers from Heaven, Denise celebrates the life of her son Clayton and shares the story of starting a church’s special needs ministry. Since 1995 and thanks to Denise’s leadership, hundreds of Houston area families impacted by special needs have found a welcoming church home.
AFL: Serving special needs families and children can require a tremendous emotional and physical investment. Denise, How would you advise other S.N. ministry champions to balance their personal life with their ministry? How do you prevent burnout?
DB: Serving families with special needs can require an enormous amount of emotional support and physical strength from the leader. Having served hands-on in special special needs ministry for nearly 20 years, I cannot begin to give you a list of how to’s without giving you some encouraging words of wisdom in how not to’s!
When I began I leading my church’s special needs ministry, I had a special needs child of my own as well as two additional young children and a husband who worked a lot.
I learned early on that a single person cannot save the whole world, although you can sure try. Praise the Lord that there are so many churches now that are coming alongside of us and desiring to open their doors for children and adults with special needs. Pace yourself! Often the sky is the limit in a new ministry. I would ask myself, “If dreams could happen what would I do?” And usually I did it!
- Build a team of caring volunteers who will work alongside you. Find people to serve on the team who have compassion and then pour into those leaders. For me, I had to learn to pace in the race!
- Do not answer your cell phone or email 24/7. Let your family see you make that choice. Set your hours and keep them unless it’s an emergency. The question,“Is there church tonight?” is not an emergency need.
- Allow your ministry times for breaks. Holidays like Thanksgiving, rhw week after Christmas and Spring Break are great times to give volunteers time off. Close the Special Needs ministry on the holiday Sunday/week to say thank you to your volunteers. Giving downtime and off days helps families to appreciate what you do and your volunteers will feel valued to have a time off.
- Be present with your own children. They are proud of you as a mom or dad, but they want YOU. Learn to ‘turn off’ the special needs switch. And that is truly hard if you are a parent of a child in your ministry. But they truly don’t want to hear about what you do all the time. Make your time with them just that, time with them!
- You cannot take a casserole to the church family and feed your family peanut butter! If I made a meal for a family or helped organize meals for a special needs family. I had to learn that my family came first. I caught myself one day taking a fabulous meal to another and my kids ate corn dogs.
- Refuel and spend quality and daily time in God’s word. This is the most important thing. You cannot give your life away as a leader in ministry if you are not taking time to fill yourself with alone time with the Lord. My home church requires all its leadership to attend one service each Sunday. For the first time in ministry, I sit with my husband in service! Before I was serving in such a large church we only had one service. However I made sure that although I could not attend the worship service on Sundays, I attended another church’s Ladies Bible study; I could be away from home church responsibilities and also be fed and recharged.
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Follow OC12 on The Inclusive Church Blog
For those of you who can’t join us in person for The Orange Conference 2012, here’s how you can join us virtually:
- Be sure to follow what’s going on through the Twitter hashtags #OC12 and #OC12SN. We have a couple of special needs champions who will be regularly updating the Twitter feed (watch for #OC12SN). My two Twitter accounts are @AmyFentonLee and @SpNeedsKidmin.
- Beginning on Wednesday, I’ll be providing glimpses of OC12 by posting interviews with some of the special needs champions attending the special needs track. For this week there will be some days I publish two posts. I apologize in advance for crowding your email inbox. After this week we’ll go back to posting only once or twice a week, and less throughout the summer.
- Occasional updates and pictures will be made available through The Inclusive Church’s Facebook Feed.
- You may want to follow the list of official OC12 Bloggers.
- Besides myself, the following special needs bloggers will be blogging from OC12:
B.K. - Thinking Moms Revolution
Tonya Langdon - Special Needs Kidz
Shannon Royce - Chosen Families
- You may watch the live feed online from The Orange Conference. For every hour of programming various workshop speakers and main stage speakers will be interviewed live.
- Be sure to watch the live feed on Friday, April 27th from 11:45am to 12:15pm as Meaghan Wall and I will be interviewed in real time about special needs ministry.
- I misspoke and have learned that audio of the special needs workshops are only available for purchase to those who attend the conference. However, the workshop “Surviving to Thriving: Techniques to Engage Different Learners” will be available for sale on an 80-minute DVD that includes reproducible downloads. The DVD will be for sale onsite at the conference and through the the Orange Store AFTER the conference is over.
- Lastly…to those of you who wish to be with us and are cheering us on from afar, I would greatly appreciate your prayers. Whenever God is up to something big, we usually hear from the enemy. Each and every one of us involved in this conference has had unexpected obstacles the past few days and weeks. Take a look at the home states listed below where we know we have a special needs ministry champion coming in from (these are just the ones that have reached out to me personally). Please pray for those coming from your state…that God would protect them in their travels, that God would provide for their families in their absence (several are special needs parents), and that God would provide encouragement to every OC12 participant:
Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
2012 Orange Conference & Special Needs Track Update
Please let me apologize for sending two posts to your inbox in one day. I don’t want to flood the blog’s followers with too many emails and posts, however this update has some time-sensitive information. ~ Amy
It is not too late to sign up for the Orange Conference, which is 2 weeks away. My inbox stays busy with questions about the OC12 Special Needs Track. Here are some answers to FAQ’s:
- The Dress is casual. You can wear jeans, a T-shirt, and running shoes and fit right in.
- If you want to be included in the special needs group communications (for impromptu meals, sit together in the arena), email amy@theinclusivechurch.com. Please provide me your name, email address, and text/cell info.
- The Thursday 4/26 special needs workshops are either sold out or nearly full. If you want to attend any of these workshops, you need to register today. Depending on the audio quality, audio recordings of the workshops will be available for purchase after the conference ONLY TO THOSE PEOPLE REGISTERED FOR AND ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE. The workshop audio will not be available for purchase outside the conference or after the conference. Now for some better news…
- The “Surviving to Thriving” special needs workshop will be available for purchase on DVD to anyone during and after the conference. I just filmed this professionally produced video. The content is about 75% the same…some things shared in the conference workshop will not be in the DVD and vice versa. The DVD is 80 minutes long with downloadable resources. The DVD will be available for sale at the conference for $35 and $49.99 after 04/27/12 through the Orange website. I will post more about the DVD with a link here on The Inclusive Church blog after OC12.
- The 4 preconference special needs workshops on Wednesday 4/25 still have availability. These workshops were designed to be very progressive, to expose leaders to what the most forward-thinking churches are doing in relation to special needs ministry and inclusion.
- We have 30 special needs ministry champions that we know of already committed to the Special Needs Thursday night Q&A/Networking Event. We definitely expect more. You do not need to RSVP, just show up. There is no cost other than the cost of your own dinner or dessert. Here are directions to the Thursday night event: OC12 SN Event Directions for attendees.
- If you want to follow the special needs track on Twitter, we have a hash tag just for our group: #OC12SN
- This year’s conference registration has already surpassed previous records and it will be a crazy happenin’ place!
Top 10 Posts for the Last Year
Two years ago today The Inclusive Church blog was launched. It’s been a great ride so far! Countless new friends and experiences have come into my life as a result of this blog. I thought you all might enjoy seeing what the most popular content has been for the previous 12 months. To see what the first year’s top 10 posts were, click here (there are some repeats from below).
Top 10 Posts of the Past 12 Months:
Most Popular Series of Posts:
| 5 Things to Know about the Mother of a Child Diagnosed with Autism | ||
| Pictures & Description of Stonebriar Community Church’s Special Needs Ministry Space |
Popular Posts from the Last Quarter:
| 2012 Orange Conference Special Needs Track | ||
| When the Children’s Pastor is Impacted by Special Needs | ||
| Teen Helper Training | ||
| Creating a Cradle Care Ministry |
Thanks to those of you who have been loyal friends and readers of this blog. I would also like to thank the countless special needs ministry leaders who have provided content through guest posts, interviews, and new ideas. Those contributions make this blog a valuable resource, helping churches successfully include children with special needs.
Share with us what posts have been most helpful to your ministry? What topics would you like to see covered in this upcoming year? Also, we’ve had some great dialogue the last couple of days over on The Inclusive Church’s Facebook page. Be sure to check out the section of the timeline that says “Recent Posts by Others on The Inclusive Church.” We are finding that ministry leaders are coming to the Facebook page to post their questions and read through what others have shared. Join in!
~ Amy Fenton Lee
Today’s guest post is from Katie Garvert, Access Ministries Coordinator for Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Woodmen Valley Chapel currently serves 70 individuals affected by special needs. Over the past six years Katie has helped WVC establish special needs inclusion programming for this multi-site church. Prior to joining the WVC staff, Katie was a special education teacher in the Colorado public school system.
For the first post in this series, see FAQ’s: How Can We Train Our Church Leaders to Start a Special Needs Ministry. For the second post in this series, see FAQ’s: Should Parents Lead the Special Needs Ministry?
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Question #3: We have little or no budget to purchase special supplies for our special needs ministry. Do you have any low-cost items that you recommend we keep on hand?
Katie: We ask our church members to donate the following items:
- Sound eliminator head phones (a.k.a. noise-canceling headphones)
- Mini trampoline
- Carpet squares
- Timers
- Musical instruments
- Soothing music on CDs
- CD player
- Small tent or pop-up tent
- Fleece blanket
- Body pillow
- Large bean bag chair
In addition, I make a yearly purchase of the following items I keep in a supply box. The total of the listed items (below) is less than $100.
- Painters Tape
- Red and Blue and Yellow see through plastic folders (Available from office supply stores)
- Fidget toys
- Stress balls
- Wiggle Seats
- Thera-Putty
~ Katie Garvert
For related posts see:
FAQ’s: Should Parents Lead the Special Needs Ministry?
Today’s guest post is the second in a series of 3 posts from Katie Garvert, Access Ministries Coordinator for Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Over the past six years Katie has helped WVC establish special needs inclusion programming for this multi-site church. Prior to joining the church staff, Katie was a special education teacher. For the first post in this series, see FAQ’s: How Can We Train Our Church Leaders to Start a Special Needs Ministry.
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FAQ #2: Should parents serve as the coordinator for their church’s special needs ministry?
Katie: That is hard question to answer. God places special callings on each of us. Who is to say that there is only one way to lead or one type of person to coordinate a special needs ministry? In our Access ministries at WVC, I have a group of parents that sit on my advisory board. This board is very informal and meets as needs arise. Oftentimes we’ll hold a conference call to discuss a specific issue. Personally and professionally I have benefitted tremendously from the knowledge base and perspective of this advisory board. These parents keep my eyes focused on serving families affected by disabilities well. I have also found that our special needs parents want to be engaged and truly enjoy serving inside a church ministry. The ability of those parents to serve and commit to the ministry is largely dependent on the needs of their own children (how high or low-functioning their child may be).
At WVC, we’ve had the most success enlisting parents’ help in the following areas:
- Reaching out to new families who have moved into our area
- Sending birthday cards and encouraging correspondence to families in our ministry
- Coordinating meals to families in need
- Participating in brainstorming sessions for ministry activities, such as community service projects for our ministry participants
- Leading our prayer team
We have found that weekly commitments are sometimes hard for parents and families impacted by disability. We are intentional in not placing those parents in an area of service that creates more stress for their family. We recognize that raising a child with special needs can be stressful enough. Sometimes I feel like part of my role is in protecting our participating families. I want to make sure our parents are getting fed (spiritually) more than they are serving. ~ Katie Garvert
Stay tuned for the next post where Katie addresses the FAQ of providing supplies for a special needs ministry on a low or non-existent church budget.
Today’s guest post is from Katie Garvert, Access Ministries Coordinator for Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Woodmen Valley Chapel currently serves 70 individuals affected by special needs. Over the past six years Katie has helped WVC establish special needs inclusion programming for this multi-site church. She is also responsible for overseeing the church’s deaf ministry. Prior to joining the WVC staff, Katie was a special education teacher in the Colorado public school system.
Katie is one of my favorite go-to sources, especially when I’m contacted with a complex issue. Similarly, many other churches have found Katie to be a wealth of knowledge. Katie has graciously agreed to answer the top three “FAQ’s” or frequently asked questions other churches pose to her as they seek guidance in starting their own special needs ministry. ~ Amy Fenton Lee
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FAQ #1: My church would like to start a program to serve the special needs community. How should we go about training our church leaders and members?
Katie: Initiating a training event for a church and their staff may be unnecessary. Inclusion ministry sometimes starts best by working alongside existing ministries. For example, take a good look at the programs that are being offered in children and student ministries and then identify the few people in those areas that are affected by differences or disabilities. Investigate what is needed to include those individuals into their respective ministries. Are there environments, activities, or curriculum that need to be modified or changed? Focus on meeting the impacted individuals’ needs first and do it well. From there the special needs ministry will evolve. Come alongside the existing ministries teaching, supporting and encouraging their leaders and volunteers. Ultimately, we want to equip the ministries to seamlessly welcome every child or student that wants to participate, including those with special needs.
At the same time, creating awareness through the church staff is also equally important. Try to coordinate a time with your church’s leadership where a couple of families impacted by disability can meet with the staff and share their stories. Coach the families to be authentic and real. Ask them to provide two or three ideas for easy ways the church can better serve their child. Encourage the invited parents to see this meeting as an opportunity to cast a vision and to carefully refrain from relaying their suggestions as complaints. Even though these families may have valid disappointments with the church, they’ll get further if they keep the tone of the meeting positive and future-focused. I often remind other special needs champions and families that we must intentionally exude a grateful tone so that others will want to walk alongside us. The importance of maintaining a cheerful and appreciative attitude is so important in attracting others to partner with us in including our special children. ~ Katie Garvert
Stay tuned for the next two posts where Katie addresses FAQ’s related to using parents as volunteers and how to supply a ministry on a low or non-existent church budget.
For a related post, see Starting a Special Needs Ministry
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5 Things to Know about the Mother of a Child Diagnosed with Autism – From the Archives
Today’s post is from the archives. This series of 5 posts launched on World Autism Awareness Day 2011 and received tremendous interest from readers. We even had other parent blogs piggyback off these posts and share their own experiences. I loved reading other parent’s stories that lined up with this series. Because we have so many new readers this year, I thought I would rerun the first post with links to the entire series on this World Autism Awareness Day 2012. I’ve also added a link to the most popular autism-related post of 2010.
The Background: 2-1/2 years ago I conducted around 60 interviews with mothers of children with special needs. From the documented interviews, I wrote several published articles and developed a workshop for ministry leaders providing guidance for relational etiquette. This “5 Things to Know…” series was developed from my greater body of work that included research and writing covering other special needs diagnoses and not just autism. I hope these posts will empower friends inside a church and help them confidently approach the moms (and dads!) who are processing an autism diagnosis for her child.
**Please note that every person and every parent processes a special needs diagnosis differently. If you know of someone affected by autism, pray for discernment as you read these posts. Some information may be helpful and other guidance less relevant to a particular individual or family.**
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Part 1: She may feel relief upon the receipt of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis for her child.
While the autism diagnosis may be fresh, there is rarely shock for the child’s mother when a label is finally assigned to her child’s “difference.” The time period between the first hint of a potential problem and the receipt of a diagnosis is at least several months, if not years.
During the diagnosis journey, at least one person in this mother’s circle has questioned her child-rearing abilities. Perhaps she discovered a parenting book left in her mailbox by an anonymous source. Or possibly her mother-in-law reminded her of the value of and Biblical instruction for “a good old-fashioned spanking.” As much as a parent hates the idea of something being “wrong” with their child, the diagnosis may actually affirm a mother for her intuition and parenting skills. Indeed her instincts were right…her child’s odd or even perceived oppositional behavior served as an indicator of his health (physical or mental), and not his heart.
In addition, with the receipt of an autism diagnosis, the mother may now have a better idea for how to seek assistance. Before the diagnosis, she has likely pursued multiple solution paths for her child…wondering if a processing disorder, anxiety, or a basic developmental delay served as the root problem. With an ASD diagnosis, some guesswork may be removed. Last but not least, upon receiving the diagnosis of autism, Asperger syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder, her child may now qualify for some publicly funded programs or therapies. The school system may (or may not) be able to provide intervention services to help the child.
Of course some or none of the above scenarios may apply to a family affected by autism. However, generally speaking, parents processing the autism diagnosis experience somewhat conflicting and unique emotions compared to the family who receives an at-birth special needs diagnosis for their child.
Want to support a mother processing her child’s autism diagnosis? Pray for discernment! Then consider asking her the following questions:
- While I can’t know exactly how you feel, I do know the journey to an ASD diagnosis is usually somewhat labored. Where are you emotionally at this point in your family’s journey?
Meet her wherever she is on her journey, remembering Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
- Do you feel any relief having some new information to work with, or does this knowledge feel overwhelming?
Allow her to be authentic. If she is hopeful, don’t judge her for being in denial. If she is grieving, don’t urge her to “look on the bright side.”
- How can I pray for you today? How can I pray for your child today?
Pray aloud for her, allowing her to know you are envisioning yourself in her shoes. Petition God for His gift of wisdom as she must now assume a more involved and physically demanding role as parent advocate.
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Part 2: She may experience the conflicting emotions of grief and hope
Part 4: She needs your respect, not your opinion or advice
Part 5: She values action over empathy
Like this post or any of its content? See the Rules for Repost. Some of the content in this post and the rest of this series is protected by copyright.
- Amy Fenton Lee
