Indispensable People
Making the Gospel Accessible to people of ALL abilities so that they may know Christ, grow in Him, and serve Him with the gifts He has given them.
Indispensable People
Empowering Transitions with Compassion and Care
Managing transitions for individuals with special needs can be a daunting task, especially within church settings. Have you ever wondered how to make these transitions smoother and less anxiety-inducing? Join me, Tracie Corll, as we promise to equip you with effective strategies to create a predictable environment using visual supports, advanced notice, and transition objects. These tools are designed to foster a sense of security for those on the autism spectrum or with ADHD, helping them navigate changes with confidence and ease.
Beyond easing transitions, we also address the broader goal of enhancing inclusivity in church environments. By sequencing activities and addressing the specific needs of all individuals, we aim to break down barriers and create an inviting space where everyone can participate fully. This isn't just about accessibility—it's about ensuring every person has the opportunity to know Christ and serve with their unique gifts. Through candid discussions and shared insights, we continue our commitment to fostering inclusive and welcoming church communities. Whether you're a church leader, a family member, or simply someone who cares about inclusivity, this conversation is for you.
Hi, my name is Tracy Correll, and welcome to Indispensable People. I'm a wife, mom, teacher, pastor and missionary, and I believe that every person should have the opportunity to know Christ, grow in Him and serve Him with the gifts that he has given, no matter their ability. Over 65 million Americans have a disability. That's 25% of the population. However, over 80% of them are not inside the walls of our church. Let's dive into those hard topics biblical foundations, perceptions and world-changing ideas. Hey, hey, and welcome to today's episode.
Speaker 1:We're talking about transitions. What is a transition? Who deals with transitions, how to help through transitions and what that looks like in the context of a church, an organization, and these are even strategies that are beneficial in school or wherever you may find yourself. So let's get into it. Let's talk about it. So first of all, let's define transitions. Transitions refer to the process of shifting from one activity to another. This can pose particular challenges for those with special needs, who may be more sensitive to changes. For these individuals, effective strategies are often necessary to help them navigate smoothly between different activities. So first let me give you a couple examples where this may impact maybe a child coming to a church on a Sunday morning. There are several transitions that they're going to experience before they even walk inside the building of the church. They have their transitions of home, but they're going to experience before they even walk inside the building of the church. Okay, they have their transitions of home, but they're going to leave their house, they're going to get in their car, they're going to get out of their car, they're going to walk to the building of the church and then they're going to come into the door. They're also going to walk to maybe a check-in area. Then they're going to go to their classroom or meet their friend or their buddy along the way. There are several transitions that they're going to be impacted. This also looks similar for students going to youth, where they're going to again leave their home, get in their car, get out of their car, come into the building, go through whatever check-in process there is, and this is all before service even starts. So the impact is big before they've even entered the program. And you can also consider this for a Sunday morning experience for an adult or an event that the church is having. There are transitions. So, again, a transition refers to the process of shifting from one thing to another. So individuals with special needs, particularly those maybe on the autism spectrum. Also, I would say this is a big deal for those with ADHD and maybe hyperfocuses.
Speaker 1:Transitions, at whatever form or whatever age or stage a person is at, can cause anxiety and distress. This is largely due to the unpredictable nature of change, which can feel overwhelming, and the uncertainty and lack of control can also trigger stress and discomfort. So let's talk about the importance of that predictability. It's absolutely essential in easing transitions for those with special needs. Providing clear visual cues, verbal alerts and consistent routines allow people to anticipate what comes next, which better prepares them for changes. This approach helps reduce anxiety and it fosters a sense of security.
Speaker 1:Think about how you feel when you know what's coming next. Think about how usually you're the one making the plan, so you know each step of the way, which makes you feel more comfortable when you're in situations at which you don't know what to expect next. For some and a smaller portion of people, that's excitement. For others it is anxiety and it's very. You have, like just heightened senses and awareness as you're trying to figure out what the steps are and what they're taking out, what the steps are and what they're taking. So what do some of those visual supports look like in that predictability.
Speaker 1:Well, you can have visual schedules. This can be pictures of the outline of your activities, the sequence of your activities. To make the day more predictable, you can use picture cards that can be put on a lanyard. It could be done in all different kinds of ways. A folder, a piece of paper that illustrates the next step or the next activity which you know might be beneficial. There are some people who, if you show too many steps, it could cause anxiety and maybe just one step at a time, steps that could cause anxiety and maybe just one step at a time. Another option is a transition timer, which can be all kinds of things. There are fancy visual timers that are available, but it can also just be a clock timer or an egg timer or something like that. But just consider the senses when you are creating that use of the timer, because sometimes a buzzer might be difficult for someone who has some sensory sensitivities, so a visual timer might be better. Also, they might want a clock, they want to see a countdown. It depends on how they work with numbers, those kinds of things. So there are lots of options.
Speaker 1:So let's talk about specific strategies for managing those transitions. We've already talked about the predictability, the creating some advanced notice. When my son was younger and we were planning to go somewhere, I would just have to outline the big steps of what was coming next. Even now he doesn't like things to be sprung on him. He wants to know what's happening and when, and that helps with anxiety. Also know that sometimes in that preparatory time they get to know something they aren't excited about, which also has the potential to build some anxiety. However, we can't erase all of it. We can give the proper things to help them to work through those steps and know what's coming, and that advance notice is always going to have that possibility.
Speaker 1:But we can use other strategies to work transition strategies and let's talk about transition objects, which is a specific toy or item that signals an upcoming transition, offers comfort and consistency. So let me give you an example of this. We had a little guy come to our church a few years ago and coming from the car inside the building was really difficult for him and we created what was called a we called a transition box and in that transition box were preferred items that he enjoyed and he liked. So when he left the car he had something that he was excited about, that he liked. So, for example, he loved superhero things and so we put in like the to-go packs from the Dollar Tree with the superhero. It had like coloring things and little fidget stuff to play with. Those were all options for him as he came, so it was something he looked forward to which helped him through that transition time.
Speaker 1:I would also suggest that during a time of transition, distraction is a great strategy in the sense of transition is coming, so give them something to do during that time and if you are in a maybe children's church setting, a transition is happening, so maybe you give them a job. Maybe they're setting up an activity, maybe they are part of passing out the materials for the next thing or getting snack ready, or if you're in youth, some of those similar things can happen. You can be a part of a serve team or the sound crew or something like and being a part of different things that may benefit you through those transitions because you have a distraction. I know a lot of individuals who really benefit from utilizing their skills and their talents to focus in on things so that other things, maybe less preferred things, don't distract from it. Other transition strategies could include creating social stories, which are brief narratives explaining the transition process and expected behaviors. This really goes back to that advance notice, that preparatory time, making sure that they know what's coming. Social stories are great times of like investigating, seeing what's coming and if they have questions or they want to talk about it, those are really great things. Also, transitions can maybe seem overwhelming because they're too big of what's coming. So if you can break things down into steps, divide them into smaller, manageable steps to lessen the overwhelming piece. Also, consider using positive reinforcement, just times of offering praise and rewards for working through things. So give them something to work towards or for, and allow them the choice of what that might be, so that they again it's kind of a distraction, but they're working towards something good, they've accomplished a goal of getting through that transition and moving on to the next goal, and all of those things will only benefit the next time a transition comes.
Speaker 1:Transitions are naturally occurring throughout the day. There is no way to avoid them, but we can use strategies to help each and every person get through them in the best way that works for them. So let's talk about some other options that can be used to help in these times of transition. So um. So we already talked about working for something, but also let's add to that a this or that task. A lot of times a transition feels like you have no control. A this or that task gives you some control in the situation. So in that maybe it's a transition to two options of choices so they can choose a preferred thing. Maybe it's how they transition becomes the this or that choice, laying out how to complete the next task. Maybe the transition is I don't know what to do or how to do the next thing, but if you give me instructions on how to do those piece by piece, that's benefit.
Speaker 1:Another thing I want to open the options for is the transition into the building, whether it's church or whatever an event space that you are using for your services. That transition into the building can be very difficult and there are optional ways to do that. So let me give you an example of something that we're currently doing. We have a little girl who, when she enters the building, when she comes on midweek service, the entry to the building is not a big deal, it's a lot calmer, it's quieter. The entry to the building is not a big deal, it's a lot calmer, it's quieter, there isn't as much hubbub, so to speak, going on during the evening as it is on a Sunday morning. So no problems. On Wednesday night, normal entry, no big deal. But Sunday mornings she was getting to the point where she didn't want to come to church, kind of fighting mom at home, and so we talked it over, and mom was talking about the transition time from the car into the building, and the attention of other people plus the busyness of what's going on seems to be the key of the problem.
Speaker 1:So how can we do things a little bit differently? We can offer a quiet entry, we can offer the opportunity to come into a space where there's not a lot of other people, give her time to acclimate to the building and then move into the classroom, and so that's what we're doing, and we actually we have a daycare preschool in our building and they have to have certain access doors for certain age groups, and so the goal is now that she comes in one of those access doors. Her buddy is waiting for her, and it's in a quiet space, a quiet room that currently isn't being used. And we even went one step further and providing her a pop-up tent so that it's like a pop-up sensory tent and so when she comes into the room she can go right into that sensory tent, acclimate to the building. So she has a quiet entry, she has her own space to get comfy and then when she's ready and feeling good about the space and the room, then she can enter her and, feeling good about the space and the room, then she can enter her typical classroom and join the rest of the activities that are going on. For that morning it was a very simple, low cost strategy. That, yes, does require having a buddy and another person in the space, but she is loving this new entry, not giving mom a hard time and really enjoying coming into church, as opposed to that high level of anxiety.
Speaker 1:No matter the transition, we need to consider adjusting some of the activities to which the individual is transitioning. Everything doesn't have to fit the mold, fit the box, stay the same. We can consider things such as activity length and difficulty and interest level. All of those things can influence transition success. Environmental factors like noise or crowding, like we just mentioned, should also be evaluated Strategically.
Speaker 1:Sequencing the activities can alleviate some transition challenges by understanding the unique needs of all individuals, no matter what the disability, and even kids, teens and adults who are not diagnosed deal with transition issues, we can facilitate smoother transitions, enhancing independence and enabling a greater participation in our church settings. We want to create a space where people want to be there. They enjoy being there, because that is when we have open access barriers knocked down, to share the gospel with all of God's people. Do I know everything about disability ministry? Do I have all the answers? Have I done everything perfectly? I have absolutely not, but we are going to continue this conversation so that people of all abilities can have the opportunity to know Christ, grow in Him and serve Him with the gifts that he has given them. You,
