Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2006, 80 pp.,
$12.95, www.faithaliveresources.org
Too often our ministries have a one-sizefits-all approach, and the thought of teaching children with disabilities scares people away. This book provides attitude checks and tools
to help you reach all God’s children.
Rich and Ross-Mockaatis, in their manual for Faith Alive, spend the first two chapters helping the neophyte understand the characteristics of a learning disability or attention disorder. Chapter 3, the longest chapter in this quick read, is the most helpful in relating how to minister to children and youth with learning or attention disorders in the church setting. The authors provide effective strategies and accommodations that will assist church leadership in creating a welcome and safe space for youth with disabilities. Several case studies are provided for discussion and training purposes along with lists of resources.
While learning disabilities represent the largest single category of disability, the church should not neglect other disabilities that may prevent participation in corporate worship. This book is a great start to addressing a void in the church: caring for the students who are too often overlooked and disenfranchised.
(Also see the review for Let All the Children Come to Me: A Practical Guide to Including Children with Disabilities in Your Church Ministries by MaLesa Breeding, Dana Hood, Jerry Whitworth)
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Cynthia L. Lindquist has an ED.D. in Special Education and teaches at Metro State College.
