Tag Archives: aggressive behavior at church

Kids With Aggressive Behavior…What’s it Like For Their Parents?

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Dr. G

Bottom line…families of kids with maladaptive aggression have lots of needs. They need a welcoming church where they can grow spiritually so that they can fulfill their responsibilities as the primary faith trainers to their other children. They have relational needs. They need Christian community, but they also need time to build their relationships with one another. They also need a place where they feel accepted. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Strategies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

When Mood Dysregulation Heightens Risk for Aggression at Church

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Dr. G

Here’s a general rule of thumb…When a child or teen is demonstrating aggressive behavior that appears to be predominantly impulsive in nature, decreasing the sensory stimulation in the environment is generally helpful. When a child or teen demonstrates aggressive behavior resulting primarily from perseveration on a perceived hurt or frustration, distracting the child as early as possible in the cycle is generally helpful. Continue reading →

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When are kids most at risk of aggressive behavior at church?

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Dr. G

Most kids who display aggressive behavior serious enough in terms of frequency and/or severity to be of concern to church staff and volunteers will meet the criteria for one or more mental health or developmental disorders. Nevertheless, children’s and youth ministry staff and volunteers need to take steps to minimize antecedents to aggressive behavior without specific information about a child’s diagnosis or treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why do kids become aggressive?

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Dr. G

One contributing factor to aggressive behavior you can influence as a ministry leader is the environment in which your kids worship, learn and serve at church. You want to consider how you can create environments that help all kids to maximize their capacity to use all of their cognitive resources for the best possible experience at church.
Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beyond Zero Tolerance…Key Ministry Fall Preview

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Dr. G

The focus of our Fall blog series will be on helping churches safely and effectively welcome, serve and include families of kids at risk of aggressive behavior. In the series Beyond Zero Tolerance, we’ll examine

Why kids may manifest maladaptive aggression
Conditions frequently associated with aggressive behavior
Times and environments at church when kids most likely to experience difficulty controlling aggressive behavior
Strategies for managing the risk for aggressive behavior in kids with autism and other developmental disabilities, mood disorders, ADHD and anxiety
Strategies for effective collaboration between church staff, volunteers and parents of kids at risk for aggressive behavior
Tips for church staff and volunteers to help reduce risk of aggressive behavior
Interventions when kids behave aggressively at church
Processing critical incidents with staff, volunteers and parents
What to do when the risk of aggressive behavior precludes kids from attending church
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Resources, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I’m Taking My Talents to Cedarville…2011 Bioethics Conference and Joni and Friends Through the Roof Summit

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Dr. G

I’m honored to have received the opportunity to speak at the 2011 Bioethics Conference and Through the Roof Summit, scheduled for September 15-17, 2011. The conference is cosponsored by Joni and Friends and the Center for Bioethics at Cedarville University. Continue reading →

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