Special Needs

A woman volunteer hugs a boy with special needs.

Family Ministry Resources

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3 mins

5 Ways Special Needs Families Enrich Your Church

Often when talking about families living with special needs, we focus on the side of practical disability ministry—programs, needed resources, volunteers. That’s all good and necessary, but it’s only half…

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young boy hugging group leader

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9 mins

Mental Illness and Your Ministry

What you need to know about the mental illness issues families are dealing with today—and why we’re all so reluctant to talk about it. Justin and Brenda are dismayed to…

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Little girl with glasses is putting both her hands behind her head as she looks over her glasses and down at the camera.

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2 mins

5 Signs You Need a Special Needs Ministry

As a busy children’s ministry leader, I often missed a lot that went on at church even when it was happening all around me—especially when it came to needing a…

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Online children's ministry

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4 mins

Why Online Children’s Ministry Is Important for Children With Special Needs

Here’s why online children’s ministry is a brand-new opportunity to minister to children and families living with special needs. Because of COVID-19, churches have had to adapt and make adjustments…

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An elementary-aged boy sings with his hands up by his face.

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7 mins

What You Need to Know About My Son’s Special Needs

The church should be a welcoming, safe place for every child. But for many families of children with special needs, it’s yet another place for their children to stand out…

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Three preteen girls sit on a table next to a playground.

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1 min

Special Needs: What You Need to Know About Playground Safety

All kids love playgrounds! If you minister to children with special needs, here’s what you need to know about keeping your kids safe as they play. Chances are you take…

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A female children's director smiles kindly as she talks with a group of parents of children with special needs.

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2 mins

7 Tips on Partnering With Parents in Special Needs Ministry

To make the most of any time you have with children with special needs, it’s important to team up with parents. Here are seven tips on partnering with parents in…

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An adult volunteer holds on to the hands of two boys who were hitting each other.

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3 mins

Discipline Secrets to Resolve Challenging Behavior in Children’s Ministry

Every Sunday school teacher should be equipped with these critical discipline secrets to resolve behavior challenges in their classrooms. Kids are going through a lot these days and their behavior…

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A child is playing outside, but is making a face showing that she has anxiety over the activity.

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3 mins

What Is an Anxiety Disorder and How Can I Help a Child With Anxiety?

Anxiety disorders aren’t just found in adults. Children can face anxiety, too. Here’s what you need to know and how you can help. I parent two children with disabilities, and…

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A preteen boy with Tourette Syndrome smiles as he participates in a large group activity.

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2 mins

Special Needs Ministry: Assisting a Child With Tourette Syndrome

If you have a child in your classroom who appears to have problems with muscle and vocal control, it may be Tourette syndrome. Here are some strategies to help. Tourette’s…

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A preschool girl with diabetes smiles as she plays outside.

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2 mins

Special Needs Ministry: Ministering to Children With Diabetes

Does your church have a plan in place to minister to children with diabetes? Here’s what you need to know to make sure your classroom is prepared. What is diabetes?…

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An elementary aged boy with special learning needs raises his hand.

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3 mins

How to Recognize Kids With Special Learning Needs

If Sunday school teachers don’t know how to recognize kids with special learning needs, they’re at a severe disadvantage. Use this special teacher-training meeting plan with this article. A learning…

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A mom stands in a hallway of a church helping her daughter who is in a wheel chair. Her son is standing next to her, as well.

Special Needs Tips

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3 mins

How to Welcome Families With Children With Special Needs

Being a new family at church can be nerve-wracking, especially if your child has special needs. Here’s how your church can welcome all families. Actively Welcome Families I was in…

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A female volunteer at a training meeting for ministering to kids with special needs.

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2 mins

Training Meeting for Special Needs Ministry Teachers

Use this teacher training meeting to train your Sunday school teachers for helping children with special needs or learning disabilities. 1. Tough Act Form three groups. Give each teacher in…

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adult volunteer working with boy with special needs

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1 min

Where Do I Find Great Volunteers for Special Needs Classrooms?

Finding volunteers called to service in special needs ministry may be one of your most difficult tasks. In my experience, I’ve found volunteers who are a great fit through the…

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A girl comforts her friend who looks sad.

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1 min

5 Secrets Siblings of Kids With Special Needs Wish You Knew

Ever wonder what the siblings of children with special needs are thinking and feeling? Here are 5 secrets—in their words—they wish you knew. The hit song from the late 1960s…

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Girl rests her face on her arm as she looks over the church pew. She is very serious looking.

Family Ministry Resources

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3 mins

Welcoming Families With Special Needs to Your Church

Here are tips on creating an attitude of acceptance and practical ways to welcome families impacted by special needs. My family recently moved to Minnesota, and we’re looking for a…

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A VBS volunteer hugging a boy with special needs.

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2 mins

4 Things to Keep in Mind as You Start a Special Needs Ministry

Thinking about a special needs ministry start-up in your church? Here are four things to keep in mind as you get started. Children’s pastors are often the first members of…

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A male volunteer in the special needs classroom kneels down to talk to a girl using hand crutches.

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2 mins

Special Needs: Covering the Basics Even With a Limited Budget

Almost every church has children with specials needs who already attend—or whose families would like to attend. You can reach special needs families seeking a church home by implementing these…

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A girl with allergies stares at her small group leader.

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2 mins

Special Needs: How to Serve Children With Allergies

Allergies are likely the most common special needs problem teachers face in the classroom. Here are things you need to know to serve children with allergies in your ministry. Twenty…

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Annette, who is an adult with special needs, volunteers with two elementary girls at VBS.

Leader Resources

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1 min

Inviting Adults and Teens With Special Needs to Minister

Amazing things happen when we invite people with special needs to minister to others. As I sit at my desk and write this, my younger sister Annette—an adult with special…

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