Valuable - a special needs ministry

In the Spring, I spent a lot of time praying and seeking God's direction for my life.  I also made a commitment to obey God.  During this time, I felt very strongly that God wanted me ministering to moms who's kids have special needs.  I obeyed God's urging to make an appointment with one of our church's co-pastors.  I told him straight out "I have no idea why I'm here but I'm trying to obey God.  Here's my story." He shared that the pastors had been praying about starting a class for kids with special needs.  I'll be honest, at first I thought "but I wanted to minister to MOMS!" God lightly tapped me on the shoulder "What better way to minister to moms but to love their kids!"  Shortly thereafter, I met with another of our co-pastors and we started making plans for the new ministry.

Church can be a struggling point for many families who's kids have special needs.  It was for us.  We left the church I grew up in, the church we were married in, because they couldn't serve B effectively.  When we moved to c|Life, I reached out before we arrived to let the Children's Minister know we were coming.  She met me at the door and escorted us to B's class.  She had already prepped his teachers.  It was such a positive experience for us! I want more families to experience the relief of knowing their kids are understood, well cared for and learning about the love of God.

Valuable launched on August 23, 2015 at c|Life's West Campus during the 9:30 service.  We have a team of caring volunteers with huge hearts waiting to love on kids.  We teach the same lessons as the other kids' classes.  We do it in a flexible and sensory friendly way.  A small group, lower volume, big love.

We have a tent for alone time.  A trampoline for jumpers.  Fidgets and sensory toys for busy hands.  We follow the kids' lead.  One week, B wanted to keep playing a game from the lesson.  We had the flexibility to do that!  Everyone can do what they need to do while learning about God's love.

We serve kids in kindergarten through 4th grade.  We want to serve kids who have Autism, Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, or anything else that makes traditional church a challenge.  We would like families to complete some paperwork to help us get to know their kiddo.  You can download the paperwork here.

We believe that all kids can learn.  All kids are created by God, in His own image, for a specific purpose.  All kids are valuable.

Kindergarten Graduation

Today was a momma-heart-walking-around-outside-my-body day. Today was B's kindergarten graduation.  Which I had thought was not going to be a big deal.  We did this last year too.  I wasn't sure I was going to get over to the elementary school for the ceremony.  Today was an exam day at the middle school. Plus, we had a million other things going on.  I had tried to prep B last night for the possibility that I wouldn't be there.  I told him no matter what, Ms. Lori would be there.  Ms. Lori is our neighbor and one of my best friends.  But thanks to my super awesome sister-in-law/school counselor covering my class I was able to make it!

As I walked into the elementary school I encountered Mrs. Valenta, who lets Brennan play with her tassel necklaces. Today he told her she had on a double tassel necklace.  Next I ran into Mrs. Bryant.  She had just let Brennan button and unbutton her jacket for the last ten minutes.  I found Brennan and told me he was nervous.  Mr. Smith confirmed this by telling me Brennan had to be convinced to come to the awards.

Brennan did a great job during the ceremony.  He sat on the floor with his class.  He stood in line and waited his turn to get his envelope of awards.  He hugged his teacher and returned to his seat.  About halfway through the next class Brennan got up and came towards me at the back of the gym.

B and his #1 pal Mr. Smith

"Momma, do you mind if I have a little chat with Mr. Smith? It's about our buddyship."

I should stop here to say that it's been a rough year.  I don't want to get into all of but, suffice it to say that B could not handle his regular classroom.  Mr. Smith is the behavioral specialist at the elementary school.  Brennan has been self-contained with Mr. Smith for most of the spring.  In May, Brennan told the neurologist that Mr. Smith was his #1 pal.
Brennan, Mr. Smith and I walked to the back of the gym.  Brennan's eyes were big with big tears.

"Mr. Smith, our buddyship has come to an end.  We can't be buddies anymore.  I have to go to 1st grade.  We wouldn't be in the same class anymore. I can't do it.  I'm really nervous to go to 1st grade. I can't write 100 sentences in 1st grade.  I wouldn't be with you anymore." (some of this is paraphrased.  I was alternately trying not to cry and trying not to laugh).

Mr. Smith did a great job of reassuring B that 1st grade would be great.  And that even though he was going to be in a regular class, they would see each other everyday.  I teared up.  Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. Tutle (the principal and B's #2 pal) were nearby and they teared up as well.

I thought my heart would burst.  I was so proud of how Brennan handled his emotions.  He didn't meltdown.  He expressed himself beautifully.  It really summed up the year of growth he's had and what a huge role Mr. Smith played in that growth.

Please don't buy the lie that autistic kids aren't emotional.  Sometimes it's a matter of being able to express those emotions.  Today Brennan was able to express himself.  We'll see about tomorrow.

Acceptance vs. Awareness

Last week I wrote about what our family would like you be aware of regarding autism.  I also wrote about the need for autism acceptance. This week let's talk about what acceptance looks like vs. awareness.  Please remember these are true for our family.  Autism is a spectrum disorder. Each person with autism is effectively differently.

What would you add? How can you work to accept autistic people?

April is Autism...

The most common ending to that sentence is awareness month.  I'd like to see us (ya know, society) move past awareness to acceptance.  I do understand that awareness leads to acceptance so here are some things our family would like to make you aware of about autism.

Me
I'd like you to be aware that every kid, autistic or not, is different.  Every kid has challenges.  We need to do what we can to help kids handle their challenges effectively.  My autistic kiddo needs a little more time, direction, patience and love to handle his challenges that my neurotypical kiddos.

Please also be aware that while my autistic kiddo speaks, ALOT, he still has trouble communicating.  Most of the time he's repeating things he's heard or talking about a favorite subject.

Ryan
Don't take things personally.  Some things he says or does are almost involuntary.  Sometimes B says things in mid-meltdown that are rude or hurtful but I know he's not himself.  But mostly remember that they are very special people.

Sam
Autism is a challenge but you have to accept it.  NOTE: I swear he didn't know what I was writing about.  I just told him "I'm writing a blog about Autism Awareness Month. What would you want people to know about autism?'

Zac
Have patience with people who have autism.


If you choose to donate money to an organization this April, would you please consider donating to the National Autism Association?  Roughly 48% of autistic children wander.  Some die of a result. According to the NAA, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, accidental drowning accounted for 90% total U.S. deaths reported in children with ASD ages 14 and younger subsequent to wandering/elopement. To help families keep children safe, the NAA offers the Big Red Box. They can only provide these boxes as funds are available.  Please click here to donate $35 to help provide a box to a family.