Stephen Grcevich, MDDirector of Strategic Initiatives, Key Ministry

Awana 2014 Ministry ConferenceFirst Baptist Church, Oxford, MS

August 23, 2014

There’s this kid…Including kids with emotional, behavior and developmental challenges in your ministry

Expanding our definition of “all”

…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8b (ESV)

What comes to mind when you think about “disability?”

How we view disability ministry…

How we view special needs ministry…

Most disabilities identified in kids are “hidden disabilities”

Hidden disabilities are significant emotional, behavioral, developmental or neurologic conditions lacking outwardly apparent physical symptoms.

It’s not a “hidden disability” if you can recognize it in a still photograph of the child.

Examples of “hidden disabilities”

ADHDAnxiety DisordersAttachment DisordersAutism spectrum disordersBipolar DisorderMood disorders (depression)Disruptive Mood Dysregulation DisorderLearning disordersPTSDSocial pragmatic language disorderSensory processing disorder

Kids with “hidden disabilities” are often disabled in some, but not all environments…

“It is our culture that disables.”

“When one is disabled, the problem is not really that they have impairments and social skill deficits. The issue at stake is that they live in an ‘ableist’ culture that rarely affords them the space or opportunity to make their unique contribution to society and does not lift up the value of choosing them as friends.”

Ben Conner…Amplifying Our Witness (2012)

A look at data on kids here in “Judea”

22% have one (or more) mental health disorders11% of kids ages 4-17 have been prescribed ADHD medication8% of teens have anxiety disorders…less than 20% are treated13% have at least one developmental disorderOne child in 68 will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder…the majority of average/superior intelligence

Carter, AS et al. J. Am Acad. Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010;49(7): 686-698Visser et al. J Am Acad. Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2014;53(1): 34-46http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders-in-children-and-adolescents/index.shtmlBoulet, SL, Boyle CA, Schieve, LA. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(1):19-26.http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

The barriers to church are different for kids with hidden disabilities and their families…

What barriers keep kids with “hidden disabilities” and their families from “doing church?”

What keeps them…and their families from church? Where does she fit at church?

Social isolation Difficulty with social

communication Poor impulse control, capacity for

self-regulating emotions Sensory processing Reluctance to self-identify Fear of being singled out as

“different” Past experiences of church Parents with disabilities

Meet the Phillips Family…

The Phillips family lives down the street from your church. Tammy (a single parent) is raising her son Josh (age 9) and daughter Jennifer (age 6). Josh was invited to VBS by his friend (Matt)…Josh had a great time and wants to come to church every Sunday and to Awana on Wednesday night.

Josh is on medication for ADHD and receivers special education services for dyslexia.

Jennifer struggles with separation anxiety

Tammy has social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia (predisposed to anxiety attacks in noisy, crowded environments)

What are some of the potential barriers they would face in regularly attending your church and participating in your Awana activities?

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

How would your church serve them?

Key Ministry provides knowledge, innovation and experience to the worldwide church as it ministers to and with families of children impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities.

Stay in Touch!

Key Ministry Website: http://www.keyministry.orgChurch4EveryChild…Key Ministry Blog: http://drgrcevich.wordpress.comKey Ministry Training Channel: http://go.mediasocial.tv/keyministryFront Door (Online Church Campus): http://go.mediasocial.tv/cbcfrontdoor

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Additional Resources:

Resource page on ADHD and spiritual development (includes video from Dr. Russ Barkley) http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/teaching-series-adhd-and-spiritual-development/Resource page on anxiety and spiritual development http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/resource-page-anxiety-and-spiritual-development/Resource page on Asperger’s Disorder and spiritual development (includes video of 2012 Children’s Ministry Web Summit presentation) http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/resource-page-anxiety-and-spiritual-development/Resource page on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (includes link to 2010 Grand Rounds presentation at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron) http://drgrcevich.wordpress.com/pediatric-bipolar-disorder-a-guide-for-childrens-and-youth-pastors-and-volunteers/The Mission Field Next Door (2011 Inclusion Fusion presentation with Katie Wetherbee) http://youtu.be/PshzmYircCo