Special Needs Ministry Duane DeWeese. Agenda What is Autism Living with Autism: A Father’s...
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Special Needs Ministry Duane DeWeese. Agenda What is Autism Living with Autism: A Father’s Perspective Item 1 Need for Special Needs Ministry Item 2 Item
Agenda What is Autism Living with Autism: A Fathers Perspective
Item 1 Need for Special Needs Ministry Item 2 Item 3
Slide 3
What is Autism Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of
complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social
impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted,
repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Every person with
autism is unique. Completely Non-verbal to Brilliant Scientist A
Broad Spectrum of Pervasive Development Disorders Aspergers
Syndrome (High Functioning Autism) Classic Autism (moderate to
severe) Pervasive Development Disorder/Not Otherwise Specified Two
Types of Autism Classic Autism symptoms since birth Regressive
Follows typical development, language regresses starting at age 2
or 3.
Slide 4
What is Autism Diagnosis Autism Diagnosis is completely
subjective No lab test or brain scan that can definitively diagnose
autism Diagnosis made based on the DSM IV manual Can take a year to
get diagnosis long waiting lists for diagnosis and early
intervention services Doctors or Psychiatrists can make a diagnosis
Insurance, Schools, or Medicaid will not accept a Doctors diagnosis
Early Diagnosis Important 50% of Children Diagnosed with Autism by
age 3 and get early intervention services are mainstreamed in
school by 1 st grade
Slide 5
Prevalence of Autism
Slide 6
What is Autism Causes No one knows Research suggests the
following Genetic Susceptibility Exposure to an environmental toxic
agent When exposure to toxic agent occurs, may have no effect in
one stage of development, but bad effects at another stage
Vaccines??
Slide 7
What is Autism Treatment Therapies Applied Behavior Analysis
Speech Music Therapy Occupational Therapy Fine Motor Skills
Physical Therapy Gross Motor Skills Feeding Therapy Diet
Gluten/Casein Free Food Allergies Medication ADHD Supplements
Slide 8
Living With Autism Temple Grandin
Slide 9
Living With Autism Thinking in Pictures
Slide 10
Living with Autism Communication Why is my child crying?
Sensory processing problems Behavior problems often have a sensory
issue as the root cause Sensory sensitivities are variable, among
individuals and within the same individual Auditory, visual, touch,
smell, taste School Make you feel like your child is a burden
Charleston Autism Academy Potty Public restrooms are very stressful
Sleepless Managing Therapy and Doctors Stress on marriage No way to
anticipate what a child with autism will do in any given situation
Dentist, haircut Stressful vacations Challenges Parents Face Every
Day
Slide 11
Living With Autism - A Fathers Perspective Denial, Denial,
Denial Lost the child of my dreams Hard time connecting with Steven
Depression, bitter loneliness Guilt Stress, Stress, Stress
Slide 12
Living With Autism - A Fathers Perspective You have found favor
from God, because he has given you this special-needs child so you
can experience sacrificial love. Chuck Colson
Slide 13
The Joys of Parenting a Child With Autism Kids with autism will
make you laugh Kids with autism make the best friends they do not
judge. You become less judgmental You never take a small victory
for granted You will find friends in the Special Needs Community
who are like family Special bond You will find your power Just as
with any child, kids with autism will give you so much love You get
to watch your child play adapted sports Charleston Miracle League
Surfers Healing
Slide 14
The Joys of Parenting a Child With Autism
Slide 15
Why a Special Needs Ministry at MPPC About 90% of special-needs
families are unchurched.* Main reason lack of Acceptance *
http://www.scautism.org/AllAreWelcome/AllAreWelcomeScript.pdf
Slide 16
Why a Special Needs Ministry at MPPC Not feeling comfortable
leaving your child in Sunday school Inconsistent Teachers in Sunday
School Found Steven wandering the halls Lauren and I had to take
turns staying in Sunday school with Steven Had ABA Therapist stay
with Steven in Sunday School Accommodations for Special Needs
children for church activities, i.e. Vacation Bible School Potty
Using Potty as an escape mechanism screaming I potty in the middle
of a sermon Not many special needs families at Church Disconnect
with normal families Challenges We Have Faced at Church
Slide 17
Special Needs Ministry at MPPC Whats been Done Created Special
Needs Ministry team Consistent teachers for Sunday School Created
Parent Questionnaire and posted on MPPC website A shadow or buddy
(Volunteer) was provided for special needs children during vacation
bible school and during Sunday School Provided accommodations for
special needs children for a parents night out
Slide 18
Special Needs Ministry at MPPC Whats Left to Do Continue to
provide a safe environment for every child as they learn about God
and his love. Develop a sustainable model for children of all
disabilities Hire Special needs Sunday School Teacher Help Sunday
school teachers include special needs children in a typical class
Work with parents Special Classroom for those cant participate in a
regular Sunday school class Use the buddy system whenever possible.
Buddies are volunteers that can be peers, older high school kids,
or adults. Support for Parents Provide Special Accommodations for
all church events
Slide 19
Special Needs Ministry at Other Churches Seacoast Won by One
LUKE 14 Banquet East Cooper Baptist Church First Baptist Church of
Mt. Pleasant Special Friends Ministry Unity Baptist Church Holy
Cross Episcopal Church, Sullivans Island
Slide 20
How the Men of the Church Can Help Talk to your children If you
know of any families with Special needs at MPPC, please let us know
Reach out to Special Needs Families, members or non- members
Volunteer to be a buddy and help special needs children Continue
projects to help families, i.e building a ramp Be more accepting of
Childrens odd behavior Help with Charleston Miracle League in Mt.
Pleasant. Looking to build at the Carolina Park Rec Facility Will
need Corporate sponsors Will need volunteers for the athletic
events
Slide 21
Questions
Slide 22
Living With Autism Sensory Processing Problems Sensory problems
are the primary challenge of people with autism Behavior problems
often have a sensory issue as the root cause Sensory sensitivities
are variable, among individuals and within the same individual
Sensory Overload can cause either vision or hearing to shut down
completely, no information gets through to the brain Some are not
able to see and hear at the same time. Stemming helps calm down
with sensory overload
Slide 23
Living With Autism Sensory Processing Problems - Auditory
Children with autism may appear to be Deaf Cant screen out
background noise, may not understand speech in a noisy place Eye
contact can interfere with hearing Some only hear vowels and no
consonents What may be minor noises to most can be very painful to
a person with autism Public restrooms can be difficult to tolerate
Vaccums People with auditory sensory problems need visual
supports
Slide 24
Living With Autism Sensory Processing Problems - Visual Brain
is unable to process visual information Difficulty with Fluorescent
lights Household lighting flickers 60 times per second, some are
able to see the flickers Face recognition is difficult See better
looking from the side, not straight ahead