It would be nice if a cheerleader handed you a hot cup of coffee every morning as your feet hit the floor, and it would be even better if she cheered you on, “A great day! You can do it,” meaning whatever the it of the day is. Encouragement does a lot for us. Encouragement … Continue reading An Encouraging Word
LEARN ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRIES . AT CHAPELWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, HOUSTON . The congregation at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Houston, invites and welcomes persons with special needs into the life of the church. Inclusion has been created so that all persons may worship, serve, learn and socialize within the congregation, and persons of all … Continue reading Special Needs Environment at Chapelwood
Safety Rules for Students are Important for Everyone . . Special needs students like clearly defined, dependable rules. These safety and behavior rules were designed for a specific local church and specific group. They are offered only as a pattern for ideas for other local churches and are important for all leaders and teachers who … Continue reading Safety Rules for Students
Parent chat groups (support groups) minister to parents. . . TALK IT, LAUGH IT, AND STUDY IT TOGETHER. . Parents of children with physical or mental impairments have more complicated issues than other parents, and it helps them to sit in a comfortable group of like parents where they can share, get ideas, learn, laugh … Continue reading Chat Groups for Parents
Someone should invent mud shoes for wheelchairs. Our cabin in the Hill Country of Texas was hit by a wall of water in a flash flood last week that left mud everywhere, driveway, ramps, steps, yard, inside the water pump. The pump is critical because you can’t use water to wash off the mud. For … Continue reading Wheelchairs and Floods
The new term “intellectual disabilities” is becoming widely used, but it is not widely understood. For example, does a person with a learning disability fall into this category, one that is strictly defined by government standards? According to the National Institutes of Health, one in seven Americans has some type of learning disability. Yet those … Continue reading Learning disabilities and the new term
Wednesday, May 26 Circle of Friends, our special group where everyone is a star, splashed into a big beautiful pool for the last social event before going on summer vacation. A few loafers sat in the hot tub. A few persons played cards, some threw balls, many just hung out to visit, some splashed water … Continue reading SPECIAL NEEDS END OF YEAR SWIMMING PARTY
This material was designed for use by teachers and buddies who work with students with special needs. 33 Ways To Use A Story A story can be a vicarious experience where your students can actually be participants. Your enthusiasm is catching! Do you like the story? If not, find a substitute story with the same … Continue reading How to Use Stories With Students With Disabilities
Special Needs Respite Care Programs … The church can minister to parents by offering respite programs to give temporary, short-term relief. If you are looking for a feel-good, act-good, be happy and have fun opportunity, respite care is it. Everyone benefits. But it takes organization, careful planning and budget.If you are looking for a feel-good, … Continue reading The Church Ministers Through Parent Respite Care
ZOOM, SHOUT OR WHISPER WORSHIP WITH CHILDREN Develop a sense of the sacred in special moments with children. Children with cognitive and other impairments grow, change and develop spiritually. They get it! They may just get it in a different manner and on a different time schedule than others. It’s the same for all of … Continue reading Classroom Worship With Children With Special Needs