Special Needs & Disability Ministry Resources
Clicking on many of the links below will take you to articles on other sites or to one of our affiliate stores. While seeking to choose sites and books that are doctrinally sound the Ministry Tools Resource Center makes no claim to total endorsement of any listing.
Links to other sites will open in a new page to allow you to keep the list available to look at additional special needs ministry resources.
ADHD
- Book: Adult AD/HD: A Reader Friendly Guide to Identifying, Understanding, and Treating Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder by Michele Novotni
- Book: Attention Deficit Disorder: Helpful, Practical Information: A Guide for Parents & Educators by Elaine K. McEwan (from the perspective of a Christian educator)
- Book: Managing Attention & Learning Disorders: Super Survival Strategies by Elaine K. McEwan (written by a Christian with ADD about adults)
- Book: Marching To The Beat of A Different Drum Manual by Paul Warren (This manual accompanies the Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum DVD Curriculum or can be used as a personal reference or resource for group discussion.)
- Book: Of Different Minds: Seeing Your ADHD Child Through the Eyes of God by Maren Angelotti
- Book: The Hyperactive Child by Dr. Grant L. Martin (from the perspective of a Christian psychologist)
- Book: Why A.D.H.D. Doesn't Mean Disaster by Walter L. Larimore, Diane Passno, Dennis Swanberg
- Book: You & Your A.D.D. Child : How to Understand and Help Kids With Attention Deficit Disorder by Paul Warren & Jody Capehart (Christians giving their insights on ADD at home, in school and at church)
- Article: How do ADD/ADHD kids fit into the special needs community and children’s ministry?
Autism
- Book: Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Barbara J. Newman
Deaf Ministry
- Book: A Basic Course in American Sign Language by Tom Humphries
- Book: Religious Signing: A Comprehensive Guide for All Faiths eBook by Dr. Elaine Costello
- Book, DVD: Sign Language for Everyone
- Book: Sign Language Made Simple, 2nd Edition by Edgar D. Lawrence
- Book: The Joy of Signing by Lottie L. Riekehof
- Resource: American Sign Language Set
- Site: ASL Dictionary of Religious Signs
- Site: ASL Online Video Dictionary - Religious Section
- Site: Deaf Video Communications
Helps for Parents of Individuals with Disabilities or Other Special Needs
- Book: Extraordinary Kids: Nurturing and Championing Your Child with Special Needs by Cheri Fuller
- Article: Questions to Engage the Parent of a Child with Special Needs
- Article: To Tell or Not to Tell: An Open Letter to Parents
- Article: A Parent’s Prescription for Disclosure
Helps for Teaching Kids to be More Inclusive
- Book: Helping Kids Include Kids With Disabilities by Barbara J. Newman
- Book: Just the Way You Are by Max Lucado - (teaches general concept of God's unconditional love & acceptance)
- Book: Treasure in an Oatmeal Box: The Story of a Special Boy and the People Who Loved Him by Ken Gire
- Book, DVD: Wemmicks Series
by Max Lucado (series of books/DVD's that help children learn general concept that their worth isn't based on what they look like or what they can do but on God)
Organizations with Disabilities Ministries
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped
- Friendship Ministries
- Handi*Vangelism Ministries International
- Inspiration Ministries
- Joni and Friends
- Lift Disability Network
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (not a Christian organization but some helpful info)
- Through the Roof
Physical Disabilities
- Book: A Committed Mercy: You and Your Church Can Serve the Disabled by Stan Carder
- Book: Exceptional Teaching: A Comprehensive Guide for Including Students with Disabilities by Jim Pierson
- Book: Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities by Barbara J. Newman
- Book: Including People With Disabilities in Faith Communities: A Guide for Service Providers, Families, & Congregations by Erik W. Carter
- Book: Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability by Stephanie O. Hubach
- Book: Sundays With Scottie by Milton Jones
- Article: Develop Ministry to Kids With Disabilities
- Article: Let All the Children Come - How to start a mainstream disability program in your children's ministry

