Here are some of the questions, comments, and resources shared by participants in the chat during the presentation:

Laura Range: Any tips on initiating conversations with parents of neurodiverse kids to better understand individual children’s needs?

Nancy Shade: I usually use "how can I help you, partner with you?” when talking with parents.

Kyle Creel: I do have a question about "diagnosis" and inclusion.

Ellen Allston: Every fall we have parents complete a registration form and invite them to share their child's IEP with us if they have one. That's a way to "ask" about a diagnosis without asking about a diagnosis. It's amazing how many families volunteer the IEP's.

Amy Grella: Do you have advice on training resources geared to help us train our volunteers working with kids?

Heather Horn: Keyministry.org

Ian Grimm: I’ll post links on our forum as well but two books my team has been going through are

• Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion by Lamar Hardwick and
• Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability by Stephanie O. Hubach

Nancy Shade: Any suggestions on how to promote inclusivity in the larger congregation for adults who aren't particularly comfortable around kids with different needs or the need to make noise or stim, etc.?

Amy Coen: https://www.keyministry.org/ has resources that are helpful.

Beth Tobin: I recently visited a congregation that offered head phones for children with sensory needs while at church.

Melissa: Is it ok to have an autistic adult teach children and teens for Sunday school?

(Dena replied in the recording that it is certainly ok, as long as there is another adult in the room.)

Melissa: Is it ok for an autistic adult to teach children and teens without another teacher? I teach and I am autistic.

LoriAnn Lavallee: We have an autistic young man (17-20) who has been one of our outstanding VBS leaders for the last few years. It depends on the individual.

Melissa: Should there still be 2 teachers in a class even in small class size of 2-4 kids?

Kyle Creel: You should never put a volunteer in a position where it will be just their word against a kids.

Dena Kitchens: Yes, Melissa. There should be 2 teachers

Amy Crane: Many churches' insurance requires that sort of safe child policy - 2 adults in classroom, even for a small group. Here are some thoughts on the subject in this discussion on Safe Sunday Schools at our site.