Lately Jackson has been covering his ears and avoiding loud noises – something that we haven’t had a challenge with before. Jackson doesn’t like to not feel included and so for awhile I would try the Autism noise canceling headphones and he would rip them right off. This go round I tried a pair of electronic headphones that he can adjust the volume based on his preference. This allows Jackson to still be included and to be able to control the noise in his environment.
This Sunday in our kids class was the first time Jackson was open to wearing them in public. Even though Jackson has Autism – he still very much knows and can sense when he is being perceived as “different” and sometimes kids are scared of him simply because no one has ever talked to them about other children with differences. With school returning to session and the holiday breaks coming up – a great opportunity is open to talk to your kids about those with differences and how to include them.
Four ways I find helpful to help your child 🧒🏿 understand uniqueness and disability as part of God’s plan are:
- Teach your children that regardless of our abilities, we were each created by God with special value and gifts to share within our churches. Romans 12:4-6, Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have the same purpose so also, we are many persons, but in Christ, we are one body and each part of the body belongs to all the other parts we all have gifts.
- Teach children what the Bible says about God creating disability.
In the Old Testament, we see that Moses had a disability. He was unable to speak clearly and may have stuttered because of his speech impairment. Moses did not feel confident that God could use him to help free the Israelites from pharaoh. BUT God makes it clear that he is our creator and he would use Moses for his divine purpose .
Exodus 4:11, The Lord said to him, “Who makes human beings able to talk? Who makes them unable to hear or speak? Who makes them able to see? Who makes them blind? It is I, the Lord. - Teach your child about how Jesus responded to those with disabilities.
In Luke 14:21-23, Jesus teaches that we are to intentionally include people affected by disability in our lives. He showed great compassion for their pain and struggles, and throughout Scripture we see him healing people with disabilities.
Matthew 9:35 says that as Jesus went through the towns and villages teaching and preaching, he also healed many people.
In John 9:1-7 Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth. He tells his disciples that the man’s disability was part of God’s plan because his healing displayed God’s amazing power.
- Teach your child about how to be a friend to someone with a disability.
In biblical times many people saw disability as a curse or a result of sin. Sadly, many people still have wrong beliefs about disability today. You can help your child see that Jesus wants us to love each other as God loves us. We can express love through friendship by not using words that are hurtful or not excluding people with disabilities.
In Mark 2:1-12 Jesus healed a man who couldn’t walk.
The man’s friends carried him on a stretcher to seek help from Jesus. They even tore a hole in the roof to lower their friend down through. Jesus praised their faith and efforts on behalf of their friend.
❤️ I can’t tell you the blessing it is when another child includes my child.
The Meek Momma 