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Special needs
This area of the site covers a whole range of special needs that children may have - some permanent and others temporary:
- Physical disabilties that are permanent eg cerebral palsy, visual impairment or hearing loss; or only temporary eg a broken leg.
- Learning difficulties that include behavioural problems, dyslexia, autism or down syndrome.
In the UK we all have a legal requirement to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act but often we wait for children with specific needs to join our groups before we think about addressing those needs. Shouldn't we be making more effort to show that we are ready to welcome any child into our groups by having clear strategies in place before the need arises?
Every church won't be able to achieve everything on the following list, but we ought to review our provision regularly and aspire to achieve:
Wheelchair access, ramps, hearing loops and toilet access for all forms of disability - not just for the main church but for all halls and rooms where children meet.
Training for all children's workers in disability issues (including some trained in sign language) so they can encourage and enable children with disability to integrate into children's groups and activities.
Respite care - people trained to be buddies to children with special needs, sitting with them in church or spending time with them in a sensory room set up for safe play or exploration.
Trained children's councellors.
Parents will always be your best source of information about the specific needs of individual children but there are leaftlets and web sites which provide basic information about particular disabilities.
One child in twenty has some form of learning disability and most of them benefit from the use of visual symbols as a method of communication.
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Special Children, Special Needs (Simon Bass, CHP) RRP £5.95
This handy guide provides information on how to integrate children with special needs into your church and its children's programmes and activities.
It offers advice on: the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; special needs etiquette and appropriate language; child protection and safe recruitment; specific advice on disabilities and medical conditions; supporting families of special needs children; practical issues; and helpful organizations and resources.
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Special Needs, Special Ministry (Joni Eareckcon Tada, Flagship Church Resources) RRP £11.99
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Top Tips on Welcoming Special Children (Denise Abrahall, Scripture Union) RRP £3.50
A guide for anyone helping children with special needs to know God, a challenging but deeply rewarding ministry. Containing stories from group leaders and parents, the book examines what we mean by special needs and what the Bible says on the subject.
With practical ideas for welcoming special children into churches and children's groups this book also explores the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act for churches.
2011 conference recommended title
2010 conference recommended title
Full list of Top Tips titles...
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BUY from CCPAS...
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Special Children, Special Needs DVD (CCPAS) £15.00
This DVD will help churches repsond to children with disabilities and special needs in practical and inclusive way. Sessions include how to make church welcoming, advice on specific disabilities and special needs, the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and a church that has tackled the issues.
Contributors include CCPAS Social Work Manager, Simon Bass and 'Through the Roof' Director, Paul Dicken.
NB. This DVD will provide a day's training, follow up support and certificates of successful completion.
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Through the Roof is a UK Christian charity working with disabled people and has useful information for churches on its web site.
www.throughtheroof.org
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BUY...
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Welcoming children with special needs (Kay Morgan-Gurr, 2011 conference) £3.99
Churches encounter many children who have a wide range of special needs. This seminar looks at how we can be welcoming and supportive to those who have the more well known additional needs.
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BUY...
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Welcoming children with special needs (Alice Langtree, 2010 conference) £2.99
Do you like the quirky kids, as I do, or are you anxious about including children with special needs effectively? It's all baout relationships; God's feelings, some theory and then practical strategies to build confidence.
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BUY...
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Supporting an inclusive ministry (Jo Moore, 2009 conference) £2.99
A practical session giving ideas on how you can adapt your group to include children with disabilities - how to adapt games, agencies that can support you, useful web sites and other helpful resources.
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