When I asked Amanda P., coordinator of our emerging Neurodiversity Support Ministry, for an ADHD link to share in this space, she directed me to ADDitude, a wonderfully comprehensive website for individuals, families, and professionals. I went to ADDitude and was greeted by a glorious photo of Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old American figure skater who won Olympic Gold in Italy. The quote beneath the photo, taken from an ESPN interview, is as follows: “I have ADHD, and I love situations that I am not expecting.”
Liu has learned to embrace the atypical. How can we, as a church family, help neurodiverse people and families embrace the atypical? The website was a little less helpful in church-specific experiences. Amanda found an article in which ADDitude readers shared their faith experiences. Many witnessed to faith in God, prayer, and scripture. At first, I was disappointed that no one admitted to leaning into church or church family. I wanted someone to say they found peace and hope on Sunday mornings, in Bible studies, or in children and youth ministry. But after spending more time in their truth, I realized that if God’s Spirit is embracing neurodiverse families, we should be encouraged. If God is there, we need to be there with them. We can be a window for those seeking Light.
Here’s a sampling of the perspectives:
“In trying times, it’s our faith that God has a plan for us that keeps things in perspective. and children with ADHD have many gifts that can bless others.“
“God’s word provides amazing support for our family. Stories of Bible characters, like David, Ruth, and Esther, have helped us remember to be brave even when others do not understand us.”
“My faith strengthens my ability to deal with everything, including my inattentive ADHD. I ask God several times a day to keep me focused and on track with my daily activities.”
“One of my daughter’s favorite thoughts about her ADHD is that God does not make mistakes. He has a very special plan for her in life.”
“ADHD has always set me apart from others, but faith keeps me anchored in the knowledge that, even if no one else understands me, God does.”
I did a little more exploring on the website and found this response from a reader (Erin, from Canada) to a “Dear 10-year-old me” prompt.
“God has a plan for you, sweetheart. You are teary-eyed and alone right now, but I promise a whole world of amazing, creative, heart-centered people across the globe will be at a finger tip’s distance from you in the future.”
Doesn’t “amazing, creative, heart-centered people” sound like the way our church family wants to be seen? We can be those heart-centered people! Let’s pray into the possibilities.
Photo by Adonis Paul Hunter