Teaching No Greater Call Part B: Lesson 5

Teaching Those With Disabilities

This week our lesson went into depth on the topic "reaching out to the one" into how to specifically help those with disabilities.  HERE is the link to the lesson in the manual.  I totally overplanned on this one, I only ended up having 30 minutes to teach and we barely got through almost half of the planned lesson.  Luckily, the discussion was so great that I think the lesson went in the perfect direction.  I will still include all of my planned resources here.

The manual had ideas for how to accommodate specific situations with disabilities (ie hearing loss, visual impairment, etc).   I thought this was good information but possibly not as applicable to the teachers in our ward since "hidden" disabilities seem to be much more prevalent.  Instead, we talked about how the Savior interacted with those with disabilities, how to increase our awareness and understanding, and how to meet special needs.

Intro

• First Presidency statement on disabilities

Following the Savior's example

• What did the savior do to reach and teach those with disabilities? How can we apply those to the ways that we teach? 
• Bible videos - Jesus forgives sins and heals a man stricken with palsy
• 3 Nephi 17:6–9 - Jesus heals the afflicted among the Nephites
• Luke 14:12-14 - Jesus teaching about the afflicted
• Luke 19:1–7 - Zacchaeus; he knew his name
• Bible videos - Woman taken in adultery
• LDS Leadership and Teacher Training Resources: “During His mortal ministry, the Savior showed great compassion to people who had imperfections of body and mind. He offered them hope, understanding, and love. As you teach such people, you should follow His example. Try not to feel uncomfortable about their disabilities. With love and sensitivity, you can help class members with disabilities participate in lessons. You may need to work with others you teach to help them understand and accept those with disabilities.”

Increasing awareness and understanding 

• How can you teach those in your class to be sensitive to the needs of those with disabilities or special circumstances?  This can be difficult while maintaining their privacy and not singling them out.
• LDS Leadership and Teacher Training Resources: “Many of the special ones are superior in many ways. They, too, are in a life of progression, and new things unfold for them each day as with us all. They can be extraordinary in their faith and spirit. Some are able, through their prayers, to communicate with the infinite in a most remarkable way. Many have a pure faith in others and a powerful belief in God. They can give their spiritual strength to others around them.” James E. Faust, “The Works of God,” Oct. 1984 general conference

Meeting special needs

• What are some specific experiences that you have had in teaching unique individuals that have required special preparation or consideration and what did you do?
• Embracing Ethan, Accepting Autism Jan 2013 Ensign - story of including Ethan in being ordained to a Deacon in the ward.  Read ideas for how to include members with disabilities at end of story.

Closing

• John 13:34-35 - love one another as I have loved you
• "Come, follow me," the Savior said. Then let us in his footsteps tread, For thus alone can we be one With God's own loved, begotten Son. - Hymn #116