A visual timetable may also be really helpful for some children with additional needs, helping them to know what is happening now, what is coming up next, and how much longer the session is going to last. 

Do we see that what every child brings to Jesus, whether they have additional needs or not, is enough and can be used by him? 

James’ Autism is neurodiversity, a different way of ‘being’. His brain is wired differently to mine, he thinks differently to me, sees and responds to the world differently to me.

James’ favourite song for me to sing with him is “Jesus loves me, this I know”.

For us as parents of a child with additional needs, there are certainly many times to weep, times to be sad. But there is so much more to life than the tears if we are willing.

In the early stages there is the trigger for relationship breakdown as we are struggling with understanding what is going on with our child.

One of the things about parenting a child or young person with additional needs, is that life is never predictable.

There is always hope, hope for every child. No matter how profoundly they are impacted by their additional needs or disabilities, the love of Christ can and does reach them as powerfully as anyone else.

Why not help them to use a Brick Bible which tells Bible stories through Lego pictures?

Maybe we should think about our own motivation for praying for healing for others; is there a risk that we are praying for healing for a loved one because that might make our life a little easier?

If disabled people were a nation, they would be the third most populous in the world (after China and India). Surely they deserve for us to keep fighting with them to change perceptions, change reality, and yes, change the world.

When we are expressing our dependence on and need of God, then it is our prayer that makes us most human!