Assisting those with special needs in your calling

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Individuals with special needs include those with impaired vision or hearing,
mental illness, intellectual impairments, learning disabilities, serious
behavioral problems, and chronic physical illnesses. Some of these
disabilities are visible but others are invisible. (LDS Family Services)

Resources

  • LDS Ability - is an effort to promote awareness of the
    presence and needs of members with disabilities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You'll
    find helpful information for planning Special Needs Mutuals and more.
  • CES
    Disabilities Guide
    - is a very detailed book published by the Church Education
    System that has instruction and ideas for teachers and leaders on helping those
    with disabilities fully participate in the Gospel. Has ideas for specific types
    of disabilities.
  • LDS.org - has
    a section titled "Teaching All Children" that can help us learn to reach out to
    those with special needs. Has a section to deal with behavior issues and specific
    impairments.
  • Embracing
    Members with Special Needs
    - appeared in the Ensign in August 2005. Has ideas
    on how members can reach out and support those with special needs and thier parents.
  • Carmen B. Pingree has written a number of articles for Church magazines about
    the disabled and how to better help them. Go to http://library.lds.org
    and type her name in the search box to find her articles.
  • MormonShare.com - has a section on dealing with members with mental illness or personality disorders.

Condition-specific Resources

LDS Family Services

Disclaimer: This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant
to serve as medical advice or to replace consultation with your physician or mental
health professional.

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Comments

Anonymous's picture

Dear Jenny, My son was

Dear Jenny, My son was injured at age 14 (he's 35 now) and sustained a
severe traumatic brain injury. He is in a wheelchair and only has the use
of his left arm. Before his accident he was very talented musically. The
Bishop called him to be the ward chorister about 10 years ago and it has
been wonderful for him and the ward members. We have been in two different
buildings during that time, and ward members have built small ramps to get
his wheelchair to the stand and members help move his chair up and down the
ramp. Either a YW or YM sits on the stand to turn the pages of the hymn
book for him (I mark the hymns in advance with post-it notes). When we had
a special stake conference prior to a ward reorganization, he was asked to
lead the music by the stake president. It is very inspirational to all of
us to see his smiling face while he keeps time to the music with his baton.
Everyone is always very helpful opening doors for us and making him feel
welcome. His visit to church is the highlight of his week.

~ Cheryl C. - October 2006

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