Church question

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up on his

behalf

and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it for

several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new position) at

our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the past.....what

is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp needs

in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to go into

the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have an idea

of what is

needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

,

Is it for sunday school or youth group? Sunday school would be just to

modify the curriculum and make necessary adaptations as they do at school. Also

maybe getting a person who will be like a one to one? But not a one to one-

If its youth group, i dont know- there are like 3 kids with special needs in

amandas youth group and there are about 12 kids- with 2 youth leaders- thats a

small ratio- they do everything together and for the outings, the youth

leaders make sure its something amanda can participate in.

One other thing both sunday school and youth group does is us alot of theater

games an role playing and acting out scripture or using the arts to interpret

it.

Im very lucky, my youth leaders are awesome!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/29/2003 9:45:10 PM US Mountain Standard Time, Linman42

writes:

> Is it for sunday school or youth group?

EVerything. They just totally need to do more. Maverick starts confirmation

next fall and I just don't know how that will work. He doesn't want mom or

dad with him and they aren't really willing to have him involved with out us.

He was kicked out of the childrens choir and not even welcomed in the youth

group.......LOL....which was run by two sp ed teachers!!!!

[Guest guest]

Our church never offered us anything......infact, they very RELUCTANTLY

accepted into their preschool program many years ago two days before it

started after I had filled out the paperwork the previous June. I guess they

thought I would just go away. Ended up sending him to another preschool of

another

denomination where they accepted him without any hesitation. Left a very bad

taste in my mouth, needless to say.

It was made clear to me that if was going to attend CCD classes, I would

have to be there also to be his aide. I didn't want to do that. He needs a

break from me as his " educator. " No other option was offered. did

receive his first communion with his younger brother, but he never attended any

class. I really don't know why I did that........pressure from my mother, I

guess. But it was kind of silly, because refuses to take the host. When I

told the priest on the day of first holy communion that would not take the

host, and could he just please bless him, he gave me attitude. My church

promotes sending special needs children to their " II Center " which is

a

Catholic school in our area for just special education students. No thank

you. Can you tell I'm bitter?

Jackie, Mom to 15ds, 12, and Bradley 9

[Guest guest]

I had posted a few months ago that my church started a program for sp

needs kids. There are only 3 sp needs kids that I know of - one with

cerebral palsy, one I'm not sure what he has but its pretty severe, and

my Bethany with DS. They just wanted to make sure that all the kids got

to participate in everything they wanted to. The " program " is still

pretty loose as the childrens director left and it is summer time when

things tend to be a little less organized because of vacations etc. But

the Childrens Ministry deacon is organizing. Basically she is looking

at each childs needs and talking with the parents and making appropriate

accomodations. For the two older children they are scheduling an extra

helper in Sunday school and other programs to help with them and also

the class. I helped with one of the boys for a few weeks during Wed.

night service. I just helped him pick up crayons, do other crafty

things and push his wheel chair. They asked if I wanted extra help in

the nursery for Bethany but I didn't think we needed that at this point

- she's almost 8 months old and doing very well that she doesn't really

need extra assistance. I think they are keeping a list of people

willing to help and calling on them when a need arises. They have been

really awesome - and I've told them some of the stories I've heard here

about kids not being welcome and a few of the women were very angry

about it. I hope your church can see to allow all Gods children to come

to him!

Michele

Church question

Hi,

I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up

on his behalf

and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it

for

several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new

position) at

our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the

past.....what

is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp

needs

in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to

go into

the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have

an idea of what is

needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate

it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

At the Southern Winter Getaway this past February, there happened to be a

couple that were also a parent of a young man with DS. He assists churches

with setting up programs for special needs children. I will look for his

name and address today.

, if you read this, did you get his name and address also?

Sharon H.

Mom to , (11, DS) and , (7)

South Carolina

Church question

> Hi,

> I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

> including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up on

his behalf

> and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it

for

> several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new position)

at

> our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

> So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the

past.....what

> is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp

needs

> in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to go

into

> the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

> IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have

an idea of what is

> needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate

it.

> Thanks,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

There are 2 kids w/ DS at our church. Nic and TJ (my friend's son-the boys are

10 days apart). TJ is in he 6 yr old class and I have Nic in the 4 yr old(to be

moving up to 5 yr old soon). I wanted Nic to be w/ kids more on his " level "

rather than by age. Anyway, The pastor asked for volunteers to be a kinda 1:1

aide for them while they are in Jr church and the classroom. The amount of

volunteers was overwhelming. Each Sunday the boys have a different 1:1. Now, the

teachers rotate every 3-4 months so some of them prefer Nic not to have an aide

and say he does just fine others feel more comfortable w/ an aide.

Our church also has signers who sign the whole service to include the hymns and

offer sign classes so all can be included.

Di

Church question

Hi,

I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up on his

behalf

and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it for

several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new position) at

our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the past.....what

is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp needs

in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to go

into

the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have an

idea of what is

needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I enrolled Danny in both the " special " religious ed program and a regular

class. His needs fall somewhere in between what is offered in both. The

" special " program has many severly disabled kids and several with autism.

On the other hand, our regular curriculum pretty quickly goes into lots of

theology after the primary grades, and theology that goes beyond Bible

stories and the Golden Rule is just too abstract for most of our kids. So, I

try to find a happy medium by putting him with kids a couple of years

younger (just so he doesn't tower over them). We repeated the kindergarten,

first, and second grade years, but I sincerely doubt that he noticed the

repetition.

His teachers have been hand picked by the director of religious ed, and we

have more than the usual amount of parent-teacher communication. It has

worked pretty well until this year, when there was really no logical choice

of teacher--the only experienced one was a man who just didn't " get into

kids' heads " like the previous female teachers did.

For his mainstream religious ed class, I get a syllabus and a copy of the

textbook. Then I do the modifications myself by putting sticky notes in the

textbook with suggestions for questions he could answer or activities he

would be able to do.

Now that Danny has turned twelve, I think we have pretty much maxed out on

what a regular religious education program can do for him. After all these

teachers are volunteers, and there is a limit to how much time you can ask

them to commit to training.

Fortunately, we do have an alternative available. Our church has connected

with an online family-centered religious ed program. So I will be able to

" home school " him for religious ed.

I have often pondered trying to start another program in our church that

is directed to children within Danny's range of needs. What is stopping me

is not being able to identify enough kids with similar needs and ages.

Wouldn't you think it would be possible in a church with over 1000 families

on the rolls?

Bev

Church question

Hi,

I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up on

his behalf

and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it

for

several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new position)

at

our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the

past.....what

is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp

needs

in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to go

into

the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have

an idea of what is

needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate

it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Sharon, Please list this for all to read. My Pastor has asked me to speak

before the congregation about being the mother of special needs children.

While my church has accepted Micah wholeheartedly, my Caleb who has ADHD

goes to everything but is always in trouble (Hyperactive). He has said (the

Pastor) that alot of parents in the congregation have children like Caleb

but are afraid to speak up. He would also like to see something started in

church to include all children. We feel the first step is explaining that

there are children with hidden disabikities (ie. ADHD mild autism, mild

fragile xd etc.) I am interested in any thoughts anyone might have, and very

interested in your information Sharon. Loree

Church question

>

>

> > Hi,

> > I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

> > including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up

on

> his behalf

> > and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it

> for

> > several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new

position)

> at

> > our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

> > So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the

> past.....what

> > is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp

> needs

> > in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to

go

> into

> > the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

> > IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have

> an idea of what is

> > needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate

> it.

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Maverick takes communion. In our church the kids in 3rd grade take a class

(3 sessions) with their parents teaching about communion. At the end of that

time the parents decide whether the kids are ready for communion or not.

We felt Maverick was ready.

Confirmation is a whole different matter....it's a 2 yr course.

[Guest guest]

The church in Hawaii had a special ed. teacher who was the CCD teacher. When

she left, they actually asked a teen to be an aide for him. I wanted to work on

curricular adaptations for him. I bought lots of tapes with Bible stories and

checked some out of the church library to help with what they were talking

about. Teaching communion was hard because Catholics don't have too many kid

videos that would watch. The ones I saw were tedious. He loved the

Superbook stories with the kids and the robot that go back in time. I wish

there were more of those but they quit making them. I don't know if this was

any help , but you go for it. The church in Missouri was very prejudiced

and we had to change churches. They wanted NO inclusion and refused him

communion when the time came.

Elaine

Church question

Hi,

I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up on his

behalf

and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it for

several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new position) at

our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the past.....what

is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp needs

in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to go

into

the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have an

idea of what is

needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi,

We just changed churches - not because of problems - but because this church

is closer, and draws families with kids from the one Nicky attends. In our

other church Nicky was the only child with a disability (visible anyway) and

the only one from our school district. Now he sees kids at church and

school.

What our new church does is have 'buddies' who help the kids in sunday

school. I think these are college age or young adults for the most part -

but I think anyone can volunteer. I'm not sure that Nicky had one assigned

to him, or if there is just one available in the classroom. They have

assured me that he does fine so far.

After this summer he will move to the Youth group, which starts at 6th

grade. We will be meeting with the youth pastor soon, so I'm not sure what

the program is like in this youth group. Hubby and I have both taught in

the youth group at our previous church, but we haven't got involved in our

current church yet. There are several other families in the church who

have kids/young adults with DS. Nicky has grown up with 2 of the boys, and

they will all be in the Jr. High class of sunday school, so it should prove

to be interesting. Good luck. There is no excuse for a church to be

unwelcoming for people of all ages with special needs.

a,

Mom of 3

including Nicky, 12 1/2 y.o, DS, Hirschsprungs disease

Church question

> Hi,

> I KNOW I mentioned before that I am having a problem with our church

> including people with sp needs. Not just Maverick but I am speaking up on

his behalf

> and hoping to make some changes for others also. I have been pushing it

for

> several months and the Pastor and the Family Co-ordinator (a new position)

at

> our church want to meet with me to discuss some options.

> So, what I need from YOU,..... I know you mentioned them in the

past.....what

> is YOUR church doing that is working for your child or others with sp

needs

> in your church? OR what do you think they SHOULD do? I would like to go

into

> the meeting with some definite notes.... like preparing for an

> IEP.....because I think while they might be willing, they would not have

an idea of what is

> needed or what to do. So, if anyone could share with me, I'd appreciate

it.

> Thanks,

>

>

>