Faith Development & Education

Children with Special Needs

Camp Lakey Gap, a program of Christmount in Black Mountain, N.C., is a camp for people with autism. The camp offers a unique program approach of therapeutic recreation using visually structured programming, 1:1 and 1:2 positive support from well trained college and graduate students, development of independent living skills, and opportunities for engaging in social interaction with peers. Thorough staff training, and the support from a weekly behavioral consultant, allows the camp to serve anyone on the autism spectrum, regardless of the degree of disability.

Campers grow emotionally and socially at Camp Lakey Gap by experiencing social success, being empowered to take leadership roles, successfully trying new things, and being supported in a positive and loving environment. With the support of their counselor campers are encouraged to explore the camp environment and try activities like arts and crafts, hiking, outdoor games, swimming, canoeing, music, and much more. Applications are now being accepted for the summer program.

Embracing The Spirit of the Child is an organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting parents, caregivers and faith communities involved with children who have special needs.

Special Families Guide is an E-newsletter that offers support and helpful ideas to people who have a family member or friend with autism. To ensure delivery add RNaseef@alternativechoices.com. "AUTISM & The Faith Community: A guide for faith-based communities to understand the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders" is another helpful resource.

It is important that local congregations do all that they can to include people with disabilities, especially children. There is a wide range of disabilities that children are exhibiting today, even within particular diagnoses such as Autism. We used to just exclude these children or expect the parents to be their caretakers when at church. Now we know how important it is to give the parents respite from the constant vigilance some children with special needs require.

The most important first step to take in involving children with disabilities is providing an advocate. Each child who has difficulty in groups with other children needs an advocate. In this context an advocate is an individual who takes the time to become educated on the particular problems a child is having and commits to being with the child whenever the child is at church.

The inclusion of children with special needs takes careful and sensitive planning. The parents and other family members must be involved in every step along the way. Individualized plans may be needed for each child.

It is also important that the whole congregation become aware of and educated about children with special needs so that all can begin to see this inclusion as a challenging gift rather than a problem with which to deal.

Congregations who decide to take on the challenge of being really inclusive of children with special needs will receive amazing gifts in return. It is true that including children with special needs may pull heavily upon the resources of congregations but doing so is the faithful thing to do and will bring immeasurable blessings.