Autism, Caregiving, Challenges, Living Life Daily, Special Needs Parenting, Summer Vacation
Jolene Philo
My Favorite Vacation Planning Tips for Special ...

Jolene Philo gives 10 vacation planning tips for families with special needs! Jolene Philo will be speaking at Disability & the Church 2024 in Orlando, FL May 1-3! Go to www.keyministry.org/datc2024 to register now.

My Favorite Vacation Planning Tips for Special Needs Families
Caregiving, Challenges, Living Life Daily, Special Needs Parenting
Cindi Ferrini
How Do You Wear Special Needs?

Like a new outfit that looks crisp and sharp or an old outfit that is so worn out it’s comfy and we wear it all the time….is often how we wear the banner of the special needs journey. How does it look on us? On you? Is our attire crisp and sharp or rather worn out? Cindi Ferrini writes on how YOU wear special needs and caregiving.

How Do You Wear Special Needs?
Caregiving, Challenges, Church, Hope, Living Life Daily, Marriage, Mental Health, Special Needs Parenting
Key Ministry
Special Needs Dads Really Need the Church to ...

There is a group that many churches simply do not see and are therefore missing a great opportunity for ministry.  That group is special needs dads.  Guys, like me, who are caring for individuals with disabilities/special needs.  This is an incredible group of men! Steve Chatman will be speaking at Disability & the Church 2024 in Orlando, FL May 1-3. Go to www.keyministry.org/datc2024 to register now.

Special Needs Dads Really Need the Church to See Them
Caregiving, Challenges, Down Syndrome, Hope, Living Life Daily, Love, Special Needs Parenting, Scripture, Spiritual Growth
Evana Sandusky
Seasons of Growth

Over the years, I have been through multiple seasons of planting and harvesting skills with my daughter. My daughter is now entering adulthood with disabilities. There are still skills that she needs to develop to make her life easier. The learning does not stop as she ages, however, the pressure I put on myself all of those years is gone. I don’t need to fix issues. I simply need to support her through them. Evana Sandusky writes on her daughter’s growth through the years and likens it to planting seeds and yielding the harvest.

Seasons of Growth
Caregiving, Challenges, Church, Hope, Living Life Daily, Love, Special Needs Parenting
Jolene Philo
How do I teach my kids to interact with people ...

“How do I teach my kids to interact with people who have disabilities?” Jolene Philo gives 7 tips on how to teach your kids how to interact with people who have disabilities. These tips are geared for kids, but they can be adapted for adults who act uncomfortable around anyone with disabilities and special needs––kids, adults, and senior citizens. 

How do I teach my kids to interact with people who have disabilities?

autism

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Haircut, Sir?

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Haircut, Sir?

My son James has his hair cut about four or five times a year. As long as we keep to a routine, all is fine. Any change would be enormously difficult for him, and therefore for us. The reason I share James’ haircut story is to illustrate that routine and familiarity are fundamentally core to the coping mechanisms of many children and young people with additional needs. And just like the routines followed by special needs families, churches have opportunities to make similar choices regarding children and young people with disabilities in church-based work as well.

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When Life Is Not As It Should Be

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When Life Is Not As It Should Be

When life is not as it should be, whether the cause is a global pandemic or a child's diagnosis, we have a choice to make. As our hearts break and our faith is tested, we have to decide to respond from either a short term or long term perspective.

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Finding Light In the Darkness: Refuge for the Weary

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Finding Light In the Darkness: Refuge for the Weary

Sometimes we see our hope clearly in a brightly lit moon and joyfully anticipate the arrival of the sun. Other times, we have to remind our despairing selves that the sun is still there despite clouds or storms that hide it, or distractions like wind and lightning. The sun is still there. And so, we sing. Part 2 of the series, Finding Light in the Darkness.

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Why Additional Needs Parenting Is Like A Poker Game

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Why Additional Needs Parenting Is Like A Poker Game

Whatever your experience with the game of poker, there is a lot about the game that is very much like additional needs parenting.

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Persevering Together To Perfection

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Persevering Together To Perfection

The new device will help my son be more aware of himself, his actions and words, so he can communicate better, conduct himself in socially acceptable ways with others, and as a believer, become more Christ-like. But I'm not off the hook just because I'm a neurotypical person. More than the frustration my son feels with therapies and resources to make his life better, I felt like this tool was a sanctification device that maybe we should all use.