Now that doctors are saying one in every 150 children will have some sort of autism, how will our church's children's programs be affected? We have two little boys right now that are autistic that I know of, and possibly a few more. We have had to start a "special needs" ministry in the Children's Dept. with workers just for those boys. It's very hard, because they hit and yell, but they don't understand it as misbehaving. They are over-stimulated and don't know how to deal with it.
It's difficult for the parents of other kids, because sometimes they get attacked or hurt. But I feel so sorry for the parents of the autistic kids, because they are trying their best and I don't want them to feel that they are not welcome in our church.
We had another lady with a fifteen year old autistic son, who was in pretty bad shape, and she finally just decided to stay home because her son was way too big for the kid's department, but she could not possibly keep him in the sanctuary because he disrupted.
Has anyone else faced this in their churches? Any suggestions????
Any desease that starts to become "on the rise"... scares me. What is causing this? There HAS to be a cause...
Cancer has been around for hundreds of years... but we do know some causes of different types... but Autism.. have any studies shown what may cause it?
Our church doesn't have a special needs ministry as yet... I'm not sure if we have any special needs kids... severely needing special attention...
But I'm not actively involved in SS ministry at present.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Any desease that starts to become "on the rise"... scares me. What is causing this? There HAS to be a cause...
Cancer has been around for hundreds of years... but we do know some causes of different types... but Autism.. have any studies shown what may cause it?
Our church doesn't have a special needs ministry as yet... I'm not sure if we have any special needs kids... severely needing special attention...
But I'm not actively involved in SS ministry at present.
They are saying now that autism is probably caused by the metals in the MMR vaccinations. It affects some children in negative ways, but not others. But doctors say the dangers of not vaccinating them is even worse, so people are taking their chances. The one little boy in our church was perfectly normal until he had his first shots. He immediately became unresponsive to humans and terribly overstimulated by any kind of noise or touch.
I read a book on autism when I was in high school and planning to study Abnormal Childhood Psychology. I was fascinated by it, but it was all very new then (1970's). It is very scary that it is so prevalent now.
I believe that a lot of these 'childhood' illnesses and diseases are brought on by ever-changing environmental factors, including but not limited to the use of medicines during labor, the amount of processed food eaten while pregnant, and the very air we breathe in the area in which we live and work.
ADHD is also on the rise. Mental illness in children is as well. I also believe that vaccinations bring on autism and had a friend who's only child had that happen to him.
I have yet to hear of a child or adult in this country (born and raised) who came down with diptheria or polio because they didn't receive the vaccine.
Given the chance to vaccine my kids again, I wouldn't.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
My son has an autistic disorder. Our son was the first child in our school district with an autistim. Our children's ministry has 2 kids diagnosed with autism. Some of the websites staying on top of latest autism research are autismtoday.com, usautism.org. autismspeaks is a good resource. Radio great Don Imus has put resources at his disposal in places who are looking for the cause and cures of autism.
E-mail my wife and I contact information. I'll have my wife get in contact with you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherri
Now that doctors are saying one in every 150 children will have some sort of autism, how will our church's children's programs be affected? We have two little boys right now that are autistic that I know of, and possibly a few more. We have had to start a "special needs" ministry in the Children's Dept. with workers just for those boys. It's very hard, because they hit and yell, but they don't understand it as misbehaving. They are over-stimulated and don't know how to deal with it.
It's difficult for the parents of other kids, because sometimes they get attacked or hurt. But I feel so sorry for the parents of the autistic kids, because they are trying their best and I don't want them to feel that they are not welcome in our church.
We had another lady with a fifteen year old autistic son, who was in pretty bad shape, and she finally just decided to stay home because her son was way too big for the kid's department, but she could not possibly keep him in the sanctuary because he disrupted.
Has anyone else faced this in their churches? Any suggestions????
__________________
A religious spirit allows people to tolerate hatred and anger under the guise of passion and holiness. Bill Johnson
Legalism has no pity on people. Legalism makes my opinion your burden, makes opinion your boundary, makes my opinion your obligation-Lucado
Some get spiritual because they see the light. Others because they feel the heat.Ray Wylie Hubbard
Definition of legalism- Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. TV
One of my DIL's has not vaccinated her last 2 children, had a midwife and home birth for both without drugs. And lives a very healthy life style.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
A special needs class with qualified personnel is priceless to a church congregation. It is good to be prepared. We've taken kids in our children's ministry who would bawl and act up and in a few weeks, they were begging thier parents to bring them to church. We've have a couple of those kids get the Holy Ghost. It's a great feeling to minister to a largely ignored segment of humanity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs. LPW
Any desease that starts to become "on the rise"... scares me. What is causing this? There HAS to be a cause...
Cancer has been around for hundreds of years... but we do know some causes of different types... but Autism.. have any studies shown what may cause it?
Our church doesn't have a special needs ministry as yet... I'm not sure if we have any special needs kids... severely needing special attention...
But I'm not actively involved in SS ministry at present.
__________________
A religious spirit allows people to tolerate hatred and anger under the guise of passion and holiness. Bill Johnson
Legalism has no pity on people. Legalism makes my opinion your burden, makes opinion your boundary, makes my opinion your obligation-Lucado
Some get spiritual because they see the light. Others because they feel the heat.Ray Wylie Hubbard
Definition of legalism- Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. TV
Now that doctors are saying one in every 150 children will have some sort of autism, how will our church's children's programs be affected? We have two little boys right now that are autistic that I know of, and possibly a few more. We have had to start a "special needs" ministry in the Children's Dept. with workers just for those boys. It's very hard, because they hit and yell, but they don't understand it as misbehaving. They are over-stimulated and don't know how to deal with it.
It's difficult for the parents of other kids, because sometimes they get attacked or hurt. But I feel so sorry for the parents of the autistic kids, because they are trying their best and I don't want them to feel that they are not welcome in our church.
We had another lady with a fifteen year old autistic son, who was in pretty bad shape, and she finally just decided to stay home because her son was way too big for the kid's department, but she could not possibly keep him in the sanctuary because he disrupted.
Has anyone else faced this in their churches? Any suggestions????
We have a special needs ministry in our church. We have about 9 people that have some type of disability. We serve all kinds of disabilities, not just autism. Yes, they are going to make noise. I think they should be able to stay in the sanctuary for as long as possible before being taken out. They can enjoy the worship service just like we do. When the preaching starts is when you need to be more conscious of them being too loud.
Autism is on the rise. When I did a little promo for our SNM it was 1 in 166 children had autism. Now it is 1 in 150. I agree with HO, I think it has to do alot with nutrition and what we eat and also the vaccines.
But you have to look at what they are calling autism. My son has apraxia. It is a motor coordination problem. (like when someone has a stroke, afterwards they have a hard time talking. They know what they want to say but can't get their mouth to say the right sounds) Because my son has this problem he is slow with his socialization and communication. The doctors said he has autism because of this. So I am a little skeptical when they say so many children has autism or adhd.
My son is 9 yo and is ADHD & dyslexic. As a parent I worry about him alot when he goes to SS and children's church. On the weekends I don't give him his meds b/c I hate the way they make him act. But, I worry about how he will behave in class also. So, sometimes I give him a half of a dose (enough to take the edge off, but w/out changing his personality). Also, on Wednesday nights I help with children's church, mostly so I can try to help with my son. It's not that he's out of control, but he does get out of his seat alot, and he cries over things that most 9 yo kids would not. I think that when his meds wear off, he is more emotional. We have tried lots of different meds, and this one seems to work the best. As a parent, it is very hard when you have a child with ADHD. They are so impulsive and immature for their age. I'm always afraid my child will be viewed as being mean or a cry baby by people that don't understand the situation. I mean just to look at my son he looks "normal".
So, thank you to all of you that take the time to work with special needs kids.
I appreciate this thread, but can I add a few words. I myself have bipolar and the church doesnt understand it. I am married to a licensed minister and I have alot of compassion for people that have Bipolar because I have it. My husband and I have started a ministry for people that Suffer from this disorder its called Jericho Road Ministries. I think the church needs to become more equipped to handle people that have these kinds of needs for people of all ages that have a mental disorder.
As a parent I worry about him alot when he goes to SS and children's church. On the weekends I don't give him his meds b/c I hate the way they make him act. But, I worry about how he will behave in class also. So, sometimes I give him a half of a dose (enough to take the edge off, but w/out changing his personality). Also, on Wednesday nights I help with children's church, mostly so I can try to help with my son. It's not that he's out of control, but he does get out of his seat alot, and he cries over things that most 9 yo kids would not. I think that when his meds wear off, he is more emotional. We have tried lots of different meds, and this one seems to work the best. 
As a parent, it is very hard when you have a child with ADHD. They are so impulsive and immature for their age. I'm always afraid my child will be viewed as being mean or a cry baby by people that don't understand the situation. I mean just to look at my son he looks "normal". 
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