Strategies for Supporting Families of Young Children With Special Needs

This course equips early childhood educators with the knowledge and tools to support parents of young children with special needs. These families face unique challenges so we outline three key ways to offer meaningful support: reminding them of God’s love, demonstrating empathy, and providing hope through practical help. Participants will explore biblical resources, relevant scripture passages, and the five phases of special-needs parenting. The course also emphasizes the importance of communicating with kindness, connecting families to expert resources, and continuing to learn about common disabilities and effective support strategies.

This course is part of a 3-part series that also includes “Overview of Common Special Needs in Young Children” and “Helping Young Children with Special Needs Be Successful”. There is a bundle that includes all three courses available HERE.

Sandra Peoples (M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) has been part of a special-needs family her entire life, growing up with a sister with Down syndrome and parenting a son with level 3 autism. These experiences inspire her advocacy and writing, including her books Unexpected Blessings and Accessible Church. She is a PhD student in family ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, focusing on inclusion for special needs families. Sandra serves as the disability ministry consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, helping churches develop inclusive ministries. She also teaches on disability ministry at Liberty University and cohosts Key Ministry: The Podcast.