Parents have a moral obligation to share knowledge about their child when that information could significantly benefit or protect the actual child, caregivers, other students, and the church staff.

When parents observe a church culture of acceptance, they are more likely to disclose their child's diagnosis.

As a church, we need to be very careful about developing and expressing opinions on these topics.

As ministry leaders and volunteers, it's our job to care mostly about a family's connection inside our church, and ultimately with Jesus Christ.

As church leaders, our opinions on these topics aren't necessary to effectively love and support families who have children with disabilities. Encourage ministry team members and volunteers to remember the calling of the church: to enable families to develop a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

In fact, God may be working in and through their circumstances, and we can't know completely how God is working through any situation during our earthly lifetime. But if the topic of healing is overemphasized, the family of an individual with special needs may miss the opportunity to be loved and accepted for exactly who they are and where they are in life. Again, the church's role is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment that enables families to experience the love of Jesus Christ.

If the parents felt they had a healthy line of communication with the children's ministry team and the church was following up in a timely manner, they tended to reflect on the setbacks less negatively. Parents were more likely to continue their involvement with the church if they perceived the children's ministry leadership was working proactively to appropriately accommodate their child.

When a church proactively prepares for special needs inclusion, we make a more seamless integration of the person with special needs more likely, and everyone wins.

Just as every typical child is unique, every child with special needs is unique. No two children with the same diagnosis will exhibit identical gifts or challenges.