Monthly Archives: May 2011

“Comorbidity”…When Kids Have More Than One Disorder

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Dr. G

The concept of comorbidity is important to understand because it helps to explain why kids who carry the same diagnosis may react very differently to environments or experiences at church, why we very much try to avoid the use of diagnostic labels when working with churches and why it is so important for ministry leaders and parents to view each child as a unique individual.
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Posted in ADHD, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

What Children’s and Family Ministry Can Learn From Child Psychiatry

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Dr. G

Churches appear to give lip service to the concept of viewing parents as partners in the spiritual development of kids, but do their actions match their words? Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Strategies | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

One Family’s Story

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Dr. G

our family’s experience of a child with a disability has made me aware that the impact of the disability isn’t limited to the nuclear family but affects the extended family as well. Second, while we as the church can offer to do what we can to support families affected by disability, as a psychiatrist and as a brother, I can’t fully comprehend how the 24 hour a day, seven day a week experience of being responsible for a child with a significant disability colors one’s understanding and attitude toward God and experience of trying to be a part of a community of faith through the local church. We can do everything we possibly can to reach out to families of kids with disabilities who aren’t actively involved with church, but we also need to be slow to judge parents who fail to take us up on the offer until we’ve walked in their shoes.
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Posted in Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Parents, Stories | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Challenges Families Face in Finding the Right Help

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Dr. G

Parents of kids with significant mental health disorders frequently experience great frustration in negotiating the confusing maze that constitutes our system of mental health care in many communities across the U.S., along with the yet more confusing (intentionally?) system of paying for needed care. Quite frequently, pastors and ministry leaders are trusted resources to parents of children or teens in crisis, and my own professional society encourages parents who are looking for help for their kids to seek recommendations from their spiritual leaders. In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Day, I wanted to help ministry leaders better appreciate several challenges families face in finding the proper help for their kids, and offer some resources to share with parents looking to churches for help.
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Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Parents, Resources | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Pros and Cons of Medication for Kids

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Dr. G

Bottom line…Medication in the hands of an appropriately trained physician can be one instrument God uses in responding to prayers for a child with a serious emotional or behavioral disorder. In the same way, God may use a physician who’s not necessarily a Christian to bring about healing Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What’s Causing the Epidemic of Mental Illness in Kids?

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Dr. G

I spend my days dealing with kids with real disabilities accompanied by well-meaning parents who more so than anything desire the best for their kids and are willing to try the strategies our practice team recommends. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Controversies, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments