immanuelbrookfield.org

Acknowledging that God has fearfully and wonderfully made each individual, it is with a joyful heart that we reach out to our members and their families and those in the community who have special needs. Each month we will highlight one of five things you should know about special needs. If you would like to volunteer with our Special Needs Ministry or if you know someone who would benefit from our Special Needs Ministry, please
contact Abbie Schlie or Pastor Schneider. (We will need more PALS next school year.) Thank you.

2. Actions speak louder than words

You’re standing in a line at a busy store. The woman in front of you is struggling to keep her sanity intact. Her
child is running off and pushing items off the sales racks to the ground. “What an insolent child,” you think to
yourself. “His mother should discipline him better!” Or perhaps you’re in church and the child in front of you
appears to not be listening to the service and is fidgeting, drawing on all the paper in the pew rack, and talking to
himself the whole time. You think, “Someone needs to take him out; he’s way too old to be doing that.”
Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. It’s very possible the child has autism or some other special need. Some
children with special needs, especially those with autism, look the same physically as typical children. Even if
you’re tempted, do not roll your eyes and shake your head in disdain with other customers. This mom and dad face
judgment at every turn. You will make their day if you smile broadly at them. Then offer to keep a place in line so
that they can redirect their child. Greet them warmly after church and ask them how their week has been.

3. Discipline advice

4. You can leave her behind

5. Therapy recommendations

--by Jene Aviram www.niconcepts.com