American Academy of Pediatrics

(847) 434-4000 or www.aap.org

This website provides basic information about common disorders in children and adolescents for parents and volunteers under the heading of “Children’s Health Topics.”

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

(202) 966-7300 or www.aacap.org

AACAP provides “Facts for Families,” brief articles that provide basic information for parents and volunteers about features of common emotional or behavior disorders in children and adolescents.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)

(240) 485-1001 or www.adaa.org

General information is available on manifestations of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Specific help topics may be useful to volunteers serving children with Social Anxiety Disorder.

Autism Society of America

(800) 3AU-TISM or www.autism-society.org

An online course on autism (lasting about 30 minutes) is a good resource for ministry volunteers.

CCPD – Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities

(407) 210-3917 or www.ccpd.org

This website provides an extensive list of Christian organizations serving individuals with disabilities. At this writing, some information on the website didn’t appear current.

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

(847) 256-8525 or www.cabf.org

This website contains a downloadable resource “Educating the Bipolar Child” that serves as an excellent information piece for staff and volunteers in Christian education.

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder

(301) 306-7070 www.chadd.org

Excellent, unbiased resources for parents of children and adolescents with ADHD, applicable as well for church staff and ministry volunteers. A very good list of resource links is also available through this website.

Depressive and Bipolar Support Alliance

(800) 826-3632 or www.ndmda.org

This website offers useful resource links for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with mood disorders.

Friendship Ministries

www.friendship.org

This ministry serves youth and adults with developmental disabilities

Insight for Living

(800) 772-8888 or www.insight.org

Chuck Swindoll broadcast an interview with his daughter (Colleen Dane). In this interview (originally broadcast 12/31/03 and 1/1/04), Colleen discusses the challenges faced by a Christian parent raising two children with hidden disabilities. Helpful articles may be accessed through the following link: http://www.insight.org/ToolsforGrowth/special/ 

Joni and Friends Ministries

(818) 707-8664 or www.joniandfriends.org

Joni and Friends Ministries is dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability, whether it is the disabled person, a family member, or friend.  They seek to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual need of this group of people in practical ways.  Information on area ministries and family retreats can be obtained through them.

McLean Bible Church

(703) 770-2939 or www.mcleanbible.org

McLean Bible Church Access Ministry is one of the largest church-based disability ministries in the United States. The church sponsors an Annual Disability Summit, bringing together ministry leaders from throughout the United States.

National Alliance for Autism Research

(888) 777-NAAR or www.naar.org

This website has excellent information links for parents, church staff and volunteers.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

(703) 524-7600 or www.nami.org

This organization provides support to families of adults (as well as children) with mental illness. There is an excellent list of web based resources listed under the NAMI Child and Adolescent Action Center.

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

(301) 657-0270 or www.nasponline.org

This website contains useful links to a variety of web based resources.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)

(800) 695-0285 or www.nichcy.org

Nice fact sheets for church staff and ministry volunteers are available on this website, along with useful internet links, especially for ADHD, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders.

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

(800) 221-4602 or www.ndss.org

This website contains lots of information for parents and ministry volunteers specific to children and adults with Down Syndrome

Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS)

www.aspergersyndrome.org

This website contains a vast scope of information, articles and links helpful to those serving individuals with Asperger’s Disorder and their families

The Resource Center for Children with Challenges

www.specialchild.com

This website contains a section labeled “Disorder Zone Archives” with an outstanding list of web based information about rare conditions and disabilities.

Tourette’s Syndrome Association

(718) 224-2999 or www.tsa-usa.org

Information on Tourette’s Disorder appropriate for Sunday School teachers and ministry volunteers available under “Educational Resources.”

Zachariah’s Way

(678) 643-6781 or www.zachariahsway.com

Zachariah’s way is a ministry to children and adults with physical, mental, emotional and medical disabilities. On-site seminars are provided to churches seeking to establish disability ministries.