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Tag Archives: children’s ministry
Barriers to inclusion…What if nobody knows the kid needs help?
Our existing disability ministries typically do a very good job of meeting the needs of families of children easily identifiable physical disabilities, or obvious weaknesses weaknesses in intellectual capacity or adaptive functioning. But what happens when the disability isn’t so obvious? Continue reading
What does “executive functioning” have to do with kids and church?
Through identifying the other challenges executive functioning weaknesses present to a person’s ability to maintain an ongoing pattern of involvement with a local church, we hope to assist leaders in designing ministry environments and developing supports to welcome kids and families who were “unsuccessful” in previous experiences of church and strengthen their connection to the local church once they become attenders. Continue reading
Posted in ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Key Ministry
Tagged ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, children's ministry, church, Disability Ministry, executive functioning, Inclusion, intellectual disabilities, Key Ministry, trauma, youth ministry
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“Doing church” when kids struggle with social communication…
Let’s consider the challenges a kid would experience who has difficulty picking up on body language or the meaning behind the tone and inflection of speech if their parents decided to start attending your church. Continue reading
Posted in Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Ministry Environments, Spiritual Development
Tagged Autism Spectrum Disorders, children's ministry, church, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder, social communication, youth ministry
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Treating the traumatized child or teen
The treatment approach with the most support in the research literature is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT has been demonstrated superior to other non-specific or non-directive therapies in kids from preschool age through adolescence. Continue reading
Posted in Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, PTSD
Tagged children, children's ministry, EMDR, Key Ministry, PTSD, teens, TF-CBT, trauma, Trauma Focused CBT, treatment, youth ministry
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When do the effects of trauma cross the line into PTSD?
Kids with PTSD are more likely to have Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder, males with PTSD are more likely to have concomitant substance use disorders and Conduct Disorder, with depressive, bipolar, anxiety and substance use disorders occurring more commonly among adults with PTSD. Continue reading
Posted in Mental Health, PTSD
Tagged adolescents, children, children's ministry, Key Ministry, mental health, PTSD, signs, symptoms, trauma
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Meet me at St. Mark’s Findlay THIS SUNDAY!
We’ll talk about the functional impairments associated with ADHD, anxiety disorders and Asperger’s Disorder in children and teens, and share practical ideas for addressing the challenges each condition poses to “doing church” for the affected kids and their families. Continue reading
Why it’s so hard to assess kids for the potential effects of trauma
Here are some of the reasons why it’s so difficult to get a good handle on the extent to which a child has been impacted by trauma… Continue reading
Posted in Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, PTSD
Tagged abuse, assessment, children, children's ministry, evaluation, Key Ministry, PTSD, trauma
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Some Assembly But No Expertise Required…Vangie Rodenbeck
Time has given me the educational qualifications required to minister to someone quite different than me. As I got to know not only Noah, but the dozen or so other children I began accumulating within our children’s ministry, I built a relationship with each one that led to a rapport which enabled me to appear like an expert in their midst. I looked like an expert, but in all honesty, all I did was love them and get to know each of them. Continue reading
Holistically Serving the Adopted/Foster Child…Inclusion Fusion Library
In the video, she shares some of her experiences dealing with the emotional struggles of adopted and foster children as they adjust to the reality of becoming part of a new family. She did a great job of describing how the adverse childhood experiences of kids available for adoption and foster care contribute to difficulties “doing church” and shares helpful strategies for church staff and volunteers who interact with them at church. Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Advocacy, Families, Foster Care, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, PTSD, Training Events
Tagged abuse, Adoption, Back2Back Ministries, Beth Guckenberger, children's ministry, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Foster Care, inclusion ministry, Key Ministry, neglect, trauma
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