Suggested Reading
Special Needs Ministry
Grace Without Margins by Deana Boggess
A Journey Through Special Needs, Civil Rights, and above all, Grace
Exceptional Teaching by Jim Pierson
A Comprehensive Guide for Including Students with Disabilities
The Inclusive (Early Childhood) Classroom by Patti Gould and Joyce Sullivan
Easy Ways to Adapt Learning Centers
Teaching Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Charissa Willis
Holding on to Hope by Nancy Guthrie
A Pathway Through Suffering to the Heart of God
You Will Dream New Dreams by Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D. and Kim Schieve
Inspiring Personal Stories By Parents of Children with Disabilities
When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes
Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty
"How Difficult Can This Be?" DVD
The F.A.T. City Workshop
Presented by Richard D. Lavoie
"It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend" DVD
Helping the Learning Disabled Child Find Social Success
Presented By Richard Lavoie
Special Needs Ministry
Classroom Supplies
Classroom A (for more fragile children)
Special lighting (incandescent fluorescent)
Calming color of paint (we have used a soft blue)
Table and Chairs (kidney shaped tables would be preferable)
CD player with children's worship music (soft and lively)
Changing table and supplies (we built our table big enough to accommodate older children)
Shelf over changing table for supplies
Hospital curtain around the table
Cubbies with hooks for children's personal items
Nursery and preschool level toys
Tumbling mat
Bean bags
Bibles
Standard preschool supplies for the classroom
Interesting and unbreakable mirrors hung at children's height
Swing (approximately $400)
Pictures of the children on the walls
Scripture on the wall
"Boardmaker" schedule chart
Calendar for volunteers to write when they will be out
Write-on/wipe-off chart for list of children and their locations
Small write-on/wipe-off board for notes for the day
ID tags with allergies listed on them
Curriculum and manipulatives
Communication devices
Paperwork for parents to fill out
Classroom B (for older and/or more active children)
Special lighting (incandescent fluorescent)
Calming color of paint
Table and Chairs (kidney-shaped table would be preferable)
CD player with children's worship music (soft and lively)
Cubbies with hooks for children's personal items
Preschool and elementary level toys
Tumbling mats
Pictures of children on the walls
Scripture on the wall
Standard preschool and elementary supplies for the classroom
"Boardmaker" Schedule Chart
Calendar for volunteers to write when they will be out
Write-on/wipe-off chart for list of children and their locations
Small write-on/wipe-off board for notes for the day
ID tags with allergies listed on them
Curriculum
Communication devices
Paperwork for parents to fill out
Bean Bags
Tree house for climbing on and getting into smaller spaces
Bibles
Braille Bible
Books and puzzles
Sand and water table
Computer with evangelism programs (computer time can be effectively used as a reward for children)
Small trampoline
It is important to remember that all of this equipment is not necessary in order to have a special needs classroom. All that is needed is a heart of love for these children to get things started. We have provided this list for some ideas on equipment to gradually purchase for your ministry. The swings in each classroom have proven to be our best purchases.
