Assisting those with special needs in your calling
Individuals with special needs include those with impaired vision or hearing,
mental illness, intellectual impairments, learning disabilities, serious
behavioral problems, and chronic physical illnesses. Some of these
disabilities are visible but others are invisible. (LDS Family Services)
Resources
- LDS Ability - is an effort to promote awareness of the
presence and needs of members with disabilities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You'll
find helpful information for planning Special Needs Mutuals and more. - CES
Disabilities Guide - is a very detailed book published by the Church Education
System that has instruction and ideas for teachers and leaders on helping those
with disabilities fully participate in the Gospel. Has ideas for specific types
of disabilities. - LDS.org - has
a section titled "Teaching All Children" that can help us learn to reach out to
those with special needs. Has a section to deal with behavior issues and specific
impairments. - Embracing
Members with Special Needs - appeared in the Ensign in August 2005. Has ideas
on how members can reach out and support those with special needs and thier parents. - Carmen B. Pingree has written a number of articles for Church magazines about
the disabled and how to better help them. Go to http://library.lds.org
and type her name in the search box to find her articles. - MormonShare.com - has a section on dealing with members with mental illness or personality disorders.
Condition-specific Resources
- Open letter to
Parents of Downs Syndrome Children - I have been called to serve as a teacher
of a Downs Syndrome Child, and I found this letter helpful.
Downs Syndrome
LDS Family Services
- LDS
Family Services list of articles relating to helping those with special needs. - LDS
Family Services - official website. Has a comprehensive list of LDS Family Services
worldwide. - LDS
Family Services: Articles - list of online articles and resources from LDS Family Services
Disclaimer: This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant
to serve as medical advice or to replace consultation with your physician or mental
health professional.
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Please share your ideas, experience, and resources for helping special needs members in the comments section below:
About the Author
Jenny Smith is a geek-wife and SAHM of 2 adorable kids. She likes tomatoes, peanut M&Ms, and Star Trek. But not necessarily at the same time.
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#1 Dear Jenny, My son was
Dear Jenny, My son was injured at age 14 (he's 35 now) and sustained a
severe traumatic brain injury. He is in a wheelchair and only has the use
of his left arm. Before his accident he was very talented musically. The
Bishop called him to be the ward chorister about 10 years ago and it has
been wonderful for him and the ward members. We have been in two different
buildings during that time, and ward members have built small ramps to get
his wheelchair to the stand and members help move his chair up and down the
ramp. Either a YW or YM sits on the stand to turn the pages of the hymn
book for him (I mark the hymns in advance with post-it notes). When we had
a special stake conference prior to a ward reorganization, he was asked to
lead the music by the stake president. It is very inspirational to all of
us to see his smiling face while he keeps time to the music with his baton.
Everyone is always very helpful opening doors for us and making him feel
welcome. His visit to church is the highlight of his week.
~ Cheryl C. - October 2006
#2 If you need to change lessons
If you need to change lessons for those with cognitive disabilities, try using the wording from the nursery manual or other Primary manuals so things will be more clear.
#3 Great tip on cognitive
Great tip on cognitive disability lesson adaptions. Thanks, Lynn!
Clipart, Object Lessons, Young Women, Primary, RS
#4 The Liahona Project
The Liahona Project (http://www.theliahonaproject.net) is a new online community of Latter-day Saint families with special needs children and adults that has just been launched. Please stop by and see all the ways that your experience and insight can contribute. Join with us as we discuss — in unselfconsciously LDS terms — “the blessings and the stressings” of raising a special needs child.
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