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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Ministering to Children with Disabilities
by Lynn Ratliff
Jesus instructed His followers to, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to ALL creation” (Mark 16:15).
Do you ever think about this instruction from Jesus when ministering to children, especially to those children with disabilities? When Jesus said ALL creation, he included even those with disabilities.
Education
According to the National Organization on Disability, there are 54 million people in the United States with disabilities. A significant number of those people with disabilities are children; 10 percent of school-age children have a disability.
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits walking, speaking, seeing, or other major life activities. Disabilities, which can be subtle or obvious, are described by five broad categories: physical, hearing, visual, learning, and intellectual. Children with disabilities have different needs, but share many of the same characteristics of non-disabled children. Even children with intellectual impairments can become Christian; 85 percent of those with mental disabilities can be taught the facts of faith on a twelve-year-old level.
Reflection
Ask yourself this question: “When I think of a person with a disability, I usually think of someone who…?” For many of us, disability probably evokes a mixture of feelings and thoughts influenced by centuries-old beliefs involving stereotype, stigma, and devaluation.
As educators, we build the kingdom one child at a time, and we recognize that each child has unique needs and unique worth. Disability challenges all of us to capitalize on the differences of each student, anticipating success in learning. Effective ministry to children is effective ministry to all children.
In the Sunday School Classroom
Consider these suggestions…
Respond to the child, not the disability. Help the child participate as much as possible and refer to the disability only when absolutely necessary.
Ask before helping. Sometimes a child needs and wants accomplish tasks independently even if the task requires some struggle.
Talk to the child’s parent(s) about the disability so you can learn about the child’s special needs and gifts. What are the parents hopes and expectations for their child’s Sunday school experience?
Consider finding a classroom “buddy” to help the child participate. This can be another child in the class or an adult volunteer.
Remember that students learn in different ways. Plan your lessons with a variety of activities so that all children will have a chance to excel in their individual ways.
Help the other children understand and respond to the disability appropriately.
Make sure there is no teasing, and always try to avoid putting the child in a situation that would cause embarrassment or emphasize the disability.
Most importantly, relax, know your children, and be open to adjusting your teaching. Above all, communicate love to children with disabilities. Talk to them. Touch them.
Love and Patience
Because there is no one approach to working with children with disabilities, your love and patience will motivate and sustain you in the long term. Real ministry is reciprocal: as we minister to the children, the children minister to us. Give and receive affection. Jesus’ ministry included those with disabilities. He responded to the individual. He looked at them and touched them. He encouraged their families. Jesus loved them.
“The best things in life are not seen or heard… but felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
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