I am often invited to speak and provide training for leaders and members in the pathfinder programme on the topic of disability and special needs. This is because I have a son whose na
me is Matthew and he has severe learning disabilities. Matthew has been the inspiration behind our journey into the world of disability and special needs. A wonderful, challenging, learning journey....a path we still continue to travel. I would like to share with you 3 simple principles when supporting families to access the services our institutions provide.
Pillar one
Understanding diversity and difference
People with disabilities often tend to get lumped into one big group and addressed as such. I am invited to speak about 'how we can involve children with disabilities in the pathfinder club' My first piece of advice is to see each child or young person as an individual. Even if there is a diagnosis of Autism, Visual Impairment or Deafness...each person is different and will experience each of these differently. There is a marked difference between children and young people on a whole. Each member should be seen to be individual and therefore their needs will be different. The next important pillar helps to determine how we can support and include someone with an additional need into the pathfinder club.
Pillar two
Relationships are key to creating belonging.
Without having an understanding of the children and young people you are working with, there is no way you will be able to work or support effectively. For club directors and leaders, making time to really get to know the club member and their family is key. Make a visit to the home. Experience home and family life for that person then aim to replicate this with the support and help of the family in the club. Matthew is blind with severe learning disabilities. He maps people by taking their hands and asking them to clap. Meanwhile, he rests his fingers on the forearm and wrist. He then touches their hair and then taking their hand to his nose, he will smell and remember them forever!. Without you seeing and experiencing this or being told, you would never truly understand Matthew's way of greeting. You might observe it but not have an understanding of this 'greeting ritual'. Spending time, being intentional and having a real heart for people is key here.
Pillar Three
Creativity is the Key to success
Be creative, flexible and spontaneous. Working with diversity requires a spirit of flexibility. When something does not go to plan, its in the plan! If this is your attitude, you will be successful because everything happens for a reason! When thinking about including and making access for the pathfinder programme for children and young people, it is important to develop programmes and activities that attend to as many senses as possible. The story of creation can be adapted using water spray, scented flowers, a warm torch to depict light for children and young people who may some light perception, a blanket over the head to demonstrate darkness...the list goes on! You might decide to use a parachute for younger children to tell bible stories. Keeping the activities multi-sensory and if possible outdoor, works for all children and young people.
Spending time with the family to ensure you know and understand what each child or young person will react or respond to and what to avoid is important. When Matthew was younger, he had 'tactile defensiveness' - he did not like to touch anything he was not familiar with or indeed any 'unusual' object or objects that had a new sensory output for him. This was part of his 'sensory processing disorder' - this, we believed at the time was a protective reaction due to his blindness as he used his hands to understand the world. It took him a while to get used to new objects. We have learnt since his youth that this behaviour was linked to his neurological disorder which resulted in this defensive reaction to new experiences.
Repetition deepens the impression. Repeating activities is key to supporting anticipation and understanding for some young people leading to a feeling of safety, security and learning. A young person who responds to repetition will learn and anticipate helping them to develop social, emotional and spiritual skills.
These are my top 3 pillars which are by no means exhaustive. They provide a sound basis on which to work when supporting families like mine that have cherished unique and different children with special needs and/or disabilities. Take the time to get to know these children. Flexibility and creativity are key when trying out new ideas and activities.
I hope these principles have been helpful for you when working in your clubs. I believe they have application for so many situations. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with in this area of ministry.
Happy Creative Ministry!
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