Our July 2008 Connections features a touching response to the article “Corey, Faith and Asperger’s Autism” which was posted on the CCFH blog May 2008.
Other timely information includes a new resource for the religious education of learners with autism and web resources that address disaster preparedness and abuse issues.
By Jim Pierson
As a college special education teacher, I have been amazed at the change in our awareness and knowledge about autism. One amazing statistic is the number of cases. When I started teaching, I told my students that 2 to 4 in every 10,000 births would have autism. Today the number is one in 150. It was considered a rare disease—not any more. Autism has become a household word. News outlets provide a steady stream of human interest stories, teaching methods, research findings. It is difficult to keep up with what is going on in the world of autism.
Here at CCFH Ministries our interest is providing information to assist church staff members and volunteers in their efforts to share the Gospel with people who have disabilities.
100 Day Kit
Autism SpeaksTM (website: www.autismspeaks.org) is a fairly new organization on the scene but it provides a lot of current, timely information. Their stated goal is “to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.” Autism SpeaksTM funds research, finds causes, raises awareness, works on prevention, wants to bring the autism community together, and the goal that warms my heart, offer hope to the people and their families that deal with autism.
Autism SpeaksTM Family Services has produced The Autism SpeaksTM 100 Day Kit, available on their website. Click the Community tab and then Family Services.
While its intended audience is newly diagnosed families, it has excellent information that would help a church volunteer better understand the world and language of autism. The document is in PDF and is available to you free. When you study the Kit, the first 41 pages will be especially helpful. I made some notes as I read through the material that will provide a guide as you read the Kit.
The remaining pages have an outline for what to do each week as they deal with the diagnosis of autism. There are also forms for the parents to use.
I hope you find the use of Autism SpeaksTM Family Services 100 Day Kit a good tool for understanding the world of autism a family whose child attends your Christian education program experiences every day.
A Suggestion
Autism SpeaksTM provides the latest in information about autism. Go to their Homepage and click on “In the news.”
Click the following link to read Jim Pierson’s inspirational account of Corey’s spiritual journey. Corey3.pdf
By Rhonna Sanford, CCFH Director of Services
On Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Riverwood residents participated in Spring Special Olympics. Riverwood residents look forward to this day. Everyone is up and getting ready to go by 7am and the air is filled with excitement. By 8:30am we are on our way to Heritage High School, Maryville, TN, where the event is held.
On arrival we are greeted by volunteers who assist use with getting off the van. We then line up for the “parade of athletes”. As the parade begins, parents, family members, sponsors, volunteers, and staff are lined up on each side of the track. As each athlete passes, they are greeted with pats on back, applause, smiles, whistles, tears and a genuine feeling of true admiration and love. Every year at Special Olympics Hebrews 12:1 comes to my mind: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” It is much easier to endure the hardships of life when we know there are others who are standing on the side lines, encouraging us. I wish we could all have that feeling everyday.
Each resident participates in two events and receives a medal. We have walkers, runners, softball throwers, and long jumpers. My friend Gib runs in the 50 yard dash every year. We have a routine that we go through every year. Gib says, “Rhonna, I am running in the 50 yard dash.” I say, “I know buddy, you are going to do great!” Gib says, “I am not nervous Rhonna. I am going to run fast like the wind!” I say, “You are fast like the wind! Gib says, “I am going to run TO you Rhonna, not OVER you, right?” I say, “Yes, Gib, run TO me not OVER me!” He then cracks up laughing, and I crack up laughing, and so does anyone else who is within ear shot. Two years ago, Gib ran so fast that he couldn’t stop, and I couldn’t move fast enough. He literally ran me over!
By the end of our day, everyone is exhausted. We have spent this day giving 110%. It has been a GREAT day. When we return to Riverwood, Gib comes into my office and says: “I want to run in the 50 yard dash next year Rhonna.” I say, “I know buddy. I will take care of it.” Gib says, “And, I run TO you Rhonna, not OVER you, right?” I say, “That’s right Gib, TO me not OVER me.” He laughs and I laugh and then he leaves my office. Our day is done.
Special_Olympic_Spring_08_pics_1.pdf
This news was transmitted to us in a recent email:
Go to http://www.highlandschurch.org/Sermons/ and click on Special Needs Testimonies….it is pretty cool! If you know of anyone raising a child with special needs…you may consider passing this along!
Dealing with sensitive topics when ministering with adults with developmental disabilities may be a special challenge. Click this link, Connections_May_2008.pdf, to read the latest issue of our Connections newsletter for information on a new resource that deals with this complex subject.
In other articles, read how you can help us meet the need for resource materials and let us direct you to some uplifting ministry information from the In His Image Ministry at Highlands Church, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Read the March edition of CCFH Connections to learn how one ministry reaches out with their inclusion model for Sunday school.
At CCFH Ministries, we see the year 2008 as one of renewed dedication. Our focus will be on moving disability ministry to a new level. Look for exciting new articles and news in the coming months.
First, in order to move upward, we must examine our base.
Click to read this issue: Connections_January_2008.pdf
We are always elated when friends alert us about relevant issues in disability ministry. This issue addresses the timely matter of church support specifically targeted for veterans. Other interesting items include information on disaster preparedness for persons with disabilities.
Click to read the entire issue: Connections November 2007.pdf
After you read the issue, click here for From Where I Sit.pdf referenced in the article, “Honoring All Who Served…”.
“From Where I Sit - Flesh and Blood “– From Wings: A Faithletter For United Methodists With Disabilities And Those Who Care About Them (Spring 2007 — Vol. 17, Issue 4, No. 68)
Click the link below to read Jim Pierson’s article about a family living with this diagnosis and his suggestions for a congregation.