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Want to welcome children with disabilities at your church but aren't sure how to find, or prepare, volunteers? Hosts Yadi Boykin and Ann Chinworth unpack the buddy system: what a buddy actually does, why you don't need to be a teacher or nurse to serve, and how to recruit through personal invitations and people's God-given gifts. You'll hear a heartwarming story of supporting a friend through an overwhelming movie night, plus tips on honoring volunteers' time, receiving correction with grace, and free disability ministry training from Little Light House. Part of our church inclusion series, come listen.

What does it actually look like for a church to welcome and include a child with a disability, not just on paper, but in practice? In this episode, hosts Yadi Boykin and Ann Chinworth sit down with Hannah Jimenez, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, to share concrete, low-cost ways any congregation can grow. They cover buddy systems for one-on-one support, simple sensory spaces, respite nights and parent and sibling support groups, plus practical help like rides and meals. You'll also hear how to adapt events like Easter egg hunts, build accessibility into your building, use inclusive language from the stage, and create real ways for people with disabilities to serve. Part of our church inclusion series, press play and get inspired.

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Riley, a Speech-Language Pathologist at Little Light House, to explore communication strategies for kids with an Autism diagnosis with a focus on AAC, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Riley walks parents through early signs of communication need, practical at-home strategies, and how to choose the right speech therapy clinic. She also tackles one of the biggest myths around AAC: that it will prevent speech. If your child is struggling to communicate or you've recently been introduced to AAC and don't know where to start, this episode will leave you feeling informed and encouraged.  Every kid deserves the chance to just be a kid. At Little Light House, that belief drives everything we do. We provide tuition-free education and therapeutic services, rooted in Christ-centered care, for children with special needs and the families who love them. Learn More: https://www.littlelighthouse.org Let's stay connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Be part of the story: Give: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Jodi, an Occupational Therapist at Little Light House, to explore what it really means to build a sensory lifestyle for kids with an Autism diagnosis. Jodi breaks down the difference between a sensory diet and a sensory lifestyle, walks through the eight senses and how different sensory thresholds show up in kids, and offers practical, realistic ways to weave sensory support into everyday routines at home and in the classroom. If sensory regulation feels overwhelming or complicated, this episode will help you simplify it.  Curious about autism and where to begin? Start with us. Little Light House's Intro to Autism course is a first step, built from 50+ years alongside kids and families. Visit littlelighthouse.academy. Every kid deserves the chance to just be a kid. At Little Light House, that belief drives everything we do. We provide tuition-free education and therapeutic services, rooted in Christ-centered care, for children with special needs and the families who love them. See what's possible: https://www.littlelighthouse.org Let's stay connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Be part of the story: Give: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Taylor, a Special Education teacher at Little Light House, to explore a foundational approach to supporting Autism. Taylor walks parents through four key needs to check when dysregulation occurs: hydration, a full belly, rest, and health. She also unpacks the concept of sensory rest and why it looks different for neurodivergent children. If your child frequently struggles with dysregulation, this episode gives you a simple, powerful place to start.  Every kid deserves the chance to just be a kid. At Little Light House, that belief drives everything we do. We provide tuition-free education and therapeutic services, rooted in Christ-centered care, for children with special needs and the families who love them. Learn More: https://www.littlelighthouse.org Let's stay connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Be part of the story: Give: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Brooklyn, an Occupational Therapist at Little Light House, to explore DIRFloortime, a relationship-based, play-driven approach to supporting Autism. Brooklyn breaks down what DIR stands for, how it differs from behavioral approaches, and what a real DIRFloortime session looks like in practice. She also shares simple strategies parents can try at home with just ten minutes a day. If you're looking for a joyful, connection-first approach to supporting your child, this episode is for you.  Every kid deserves the chance to just be a kid. At Little Light House, that belief drives everything we do. We provide tuition-free education and therapeutic services, rooted in Christ-centered care, for children with special needs and the families who love them. Learn More: https://www.littlelighthouse.org Let's stay connected: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Be part of the story: Give: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Jordan, an Occupational Therapist at Little Light House, to explore how Autism impacts feeding. Jordan breaks down the difference between typical picky eating, problem feeding, and sensory-based feeding needs, and why the distinction matters. She also covers safe foods, mealtime strategies, and how to create a low-pressure environment around food. If mealtimes feel stressful in your home, this episode will help you understand what's really going on and where to turn for support.  Every kid deserves the chance to just be a kid. At Little Light House, that belief drives everything we do. We provide tuition-free education and therapeutic services, rooted in Christ-centered care, for children with special needs and the families who love them. Learn More: ⁠https://www.littlelighthouse.org⁠ Let's stay connected:Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa⁠ Be part of the story:Give: ⁠https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help⁠Join THECREW: ⁠https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew⁠

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss the vestibular sense (sense of balance and movement), what it looks like to have a high and a low vestibular threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different vestibular needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen to Venture into Vestibular! Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q-74D2B799M Check out our blog on the vestibular sense: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-vestibular-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss proprioception (sensing one's body position in space), what it looks like to have a high and a low proprioceptive threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different proprioceptive needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen for a discussion on Processing Proprioception! Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mraJzOa0GW8 Check out our blog post on Proprioception: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-proprioceptive-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss visual processing, what it looks like to have a high and a low visual threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different visual processing needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen to get a Look into Visual Processing! Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/slxhhoz1Hsk Check out our blog on seeing: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-visual-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss the tactile sense (touch), what it looks like to have a high and a low tactile threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different tactile processing needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen for a Touch of Tactile! Check out our blog on Touch: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-tactile-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss interoception (sensing internal signals from one's body), what it looks like to have a high and a low interoceptive threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different interoceptive needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen to take A Look Inside Interoception! Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aoXKMOEGUG4 Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss the gustatory sense (taste), what it looks like to have a high and a low gustatory threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different gustatory processing needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen for a Taste of Gustatory! Watch the video of this podcast: https://youtu.be/CExliJqMP9Q Check out our blog on taste: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-gustatory-taste-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss the olfactory sense (smell), what it looks like to have a high and a low olfactory threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different olfactory needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen to learn some Facts About Olfactory! Watch the video of this podcast: https://youtu.be/WbI9dD9aPrk Check out our blog on smell: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-olfactory-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew

In this episode, Hannah and Ann discuss auditory processing, what it looks like to have a high and a low auditory threshold, and what you can do to accommodate for kids with different auditory processing needs to help them feel regulated. Give it a listen to hear All About Auditory! Watch the video of this podcast: https://youtu.be/s-xM3espC2g Check out our blog on hearing: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/supporting-sensory-needs-auditory-sensory-needs/ Every kid deserves a chance to be a kid. Little Light House provides tuition-free, Christian education and therapeutic services for children with special needs and their families. Learn more at https://www.littlelighthouse.org Be social with us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llhtulsa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llhtulsa Donate: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/give-help Join THECREW: https://www.littlelighthouse.org/the-crew