Many young people with learning disabilities do not have adequate preparation for adult life. The reason sometimes is that people mistakenly assume that having learning disabilities means not being able to learn. This is not the case. Rather, it means that they have difficulty learning. It means that we have to be creative and persistent in finding ways to teach skills in a way that is understandable. It takes time and commitment. To help with this needed preparation, I have just published a teaching pack entitled “Developing Personal and Social Skills for Young People and Adults with SEND,” Pavilion Publishing 2021.
Jesus did not give up on people. In John chapter 4, we see Jesus teaching a woman who had been ostracized by her community. No one else had the time for her. He knew she could learn and change her life.
We can make assumptions that people cannot learn and they cannot change. This is underestimating God and the people He has made. He never gives up on anyone.
When Jesus taught the Samaritan woman by the well He started where she was. We need to do the same, especially with those who have SEND (special educational needs and disabilities). We need to engage them where they are. We need to relate to them as individuals. This takes time. If Jesus could give His time to an individual person when He was on earth, we need to as well, as His followers.
We must not write off anyone just because they cannot access what our churches are offering. We need to follow Jesus’s example. The Samaritan woman at the well could not access the well at the normal time, but Jesus met her in a very special way. In John chapter 3, we see Jesus making time for Nicodemus, who only wanted to meet Him at night because of fear. If Jesus could put Himself out for people, so can we.
Many people cannot access church events or teaching sessions. That does not mean we give up on them. It means we may need to develop alternative ways to teach them about the love of God. We need to value them as individuals and meet them where they are, in a way that speaks to them.
You may not know where to start, and feel fearful and ill-equipped for the job. You may need to spend time finding out what families or individuals need. Talk to them. Work alongside them. There are also organizations that can give you ideas and training. You may find that in your church, there are people—often those who are quietly in the background—who have special skills, time and love for this ministry. Ask God to guide you to them and then approach them.
Christians, thankfully, can be very caring and may provide for families who are struggling by preparing meals, giving lifts, doing shopping and so on. This is fantastic, and I am sure this is a great help for families who have a disabled child or other needs. Don’t stop doing this. We may think, though, that this is enough. Many people wrongly assume that caring and looking after someone with a learning disability is all that is needed. and in fact all that can be done. In my experience, this is not the case.
As I said at the beginning, I have published a teaching pack to help young people with SEND transition successfully to adulthood. This transition can be difficult for any teenager and their parents, but often even harder for those with a learning disability. They need all the help they can get, not just by being cared for, but by being taught important skills that they need, in a way that they can understand and access. I am hoping schools and colleges will take some responsibility for teaching personal and social skills to their students, in a way that meets their individual needs in an accessible manner, in order to give them a chance of success as they enter adulthood. They need to learn how to relate to different people, manage their feelings, cope with life events in a healthy manner, and ask for the support they need. They need to be guided into a successful and satisfying adult life, unique to them.
The church also has a responsibility to teach them the love of God, their unique place in the Father’s heart, the Christian hope and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We need to equip them to flourish in our churches, to equip them with the teachings of Jesus, and the promises He gives to all of us. If Jesus could adapt to individual needs, then we can, too. Let’s give some time and commitment to do so.
Sue Sutton has nearly 50 years of experience working with people with learning disabilities. She has developed training programs for people working with a variety of learning disabilities and mental health issues. Sue is the author of “Living Fulfilled Lives: Empowering People With Learning Disabilities.” Connect with her on Facebook.
