Helpful ADHD Guidance
Problems with Internalization of Faith Arising from ADHD:
- Kids struggle to maintain a spiritually disciplined life
- More difficulty meditating quietly upon God
- May give up on Bible study when it becomes tedious
- Difficulty delaying immediate gratification for long-term spiritual outcomes
Problems with Stability of Spiritual Growth Arising from ADHD:
- Poor self-regulation increases vulnerability to negative environmental influences.
- Tend to have intense spiritual experiences at VBS, camp, mission trips that fade when spiritual context is gone.
- More prone to “roller-coaster” spirituality.
- Shunned for volunteer, leadership opportunities if perceived as undisciplined, disorganized.
- Drawn to religious contexts that are more participatory, action-oriented, relational (better doing than talking.)
Ministry Strategies for Persons with ADHD: Discipleship
- Church and parents as partners in teaching kids about God.
- They’ll learn and retain more in 1:1, small group situations.
- Ministry resources need to be sent directly to parents…role for technology?
- Where can they be involved in meaningful service?
- Connecting them with others in the church is especially important.
- Break Scripture into smaller, manageable parts.
- Study guide format for sermon notes.
- Small groups offer multiple accountability partners.
- Where can they be involved in meaningful service?
- You have to remind them if you want them to come – children/teens/adults.
What Can I Do to Help Someone I Love With ADHD Come to Faith, Grow In Faith
- Spend time with your child one on one or as a family praying together, studying the Bible together.
- Make Jesus, Scripture interesting by sharing from your experiences.
- Seek opportunities for your child to serve in ways that fit their talents, gifts.
- Attend church regularly.
- Invite them to church (or remind them to come).
- Go with them to a church where they’re more likely to have a positive experience.
- Pray, study the Bible, serve with them.
- Connect them to others in the church who will accept them, follow up with them. My child: My spouse, sibling, friend![1]
[1] Stephen Grcevich, “Helping Kids with ADHD to Grow Spiritually” (PowerPoint slides, Key Ministry Presented at Parkside Church, Green Campus Uniontown, Ohio February 24, 2014) https://www.slideshare.net/drgrcevich/km-awana-mississippi-adhd-spiritual-development-082314 (accessed November 14, 20)
https://www.slideshare.net/drgrcevich/km-awana-mississippi-adhd-spiritual-development-082314 (accessed November 14, 20)
