Author Archives: Dr. G

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About Dr. G

Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as President and Founder of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is a faculty member in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at two medical schools, leads a group practice in suburban Cleveland (Family Center by the Falls), and continues to be involved in research evaluating the safety and effectiveness of medications prescribed to children for ADHD, anxiety and depression. He is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Dr. Grcevich was recently recognized by Sharecare as one of the top ten online influencers in children’s mental health. His blog for Key Ministry, www.church4everychild.org was ranked fourth among the top 100 children's ministry blogs in 2015 by Ministry to Children.

The relationship between ADHD and autism

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Dr. G

The implication of all this for church staff and volunteers is to appreciate the reality that if you’ve seen one kid with autism, you’ve seen one kid with autism. Effective strategies for inclusion at church and the resources families find helpful in promoting the spiritual growth of their child aren’t “one size fits all” for kids with ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, or both. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“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.
Continue reading →

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.
Continue reading →

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.
Continue reading →

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

Key Ministry plans to “Speak Up for Kids”

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Dr. G

Key Ministry is pleased to be participating in “Speak Up for Kids,” a nationwide education campaign during National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1-7, 2011) to raise awareness about psychiatric and learning disorders in children. Continue reading →

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Who’s Missing?

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Dr. G

After you get home from church, I want to challenge you to ponder something beyond which family at church won the fashion show. (Don’t ask me how I know about that one…let he who is without sin cast the first stone.) Consider this…Who wasn’t there? Do you have friends and neighbors who couldn’t come to church because their kids have emotional, behavioral or developmental issues that make church attendance and participation nearly impossible. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fifty is Nifty

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Dr. G

I’d like to publicly thank God for being faithful to his promises and giving me the opportunity for such a great life. Continue reading →

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