Dana Bell Experience

From Dana Bell, Los Angeles, CA

I have a son who has ADHD as well as Bipolar or Asperger's. It is too soon to tell but he has a lot of trouble socially. I'm so glad to have found this site. I have had such a difficult time with the fact that my son does not respond and act that others believe he should in primary. There needs to be more awareness about such disabilities such as ADHD, Autism, Asperger's, OCD etc. regarding children and how this effects their church experience.

I was also challenged by the fact that my son has lots of sensory issues. He has a terrible time sitting in the front of primary within ten feet of the piano. Of course this is were all Sunbeams are to sit.... He would cover his ears because it was too loud and stimulating. Members would see this as poor behavior or an act of defiance and lack of respect for the "church music". I also experience the same thing when the microphone in Sacrament has feedback. I have been preceived as the mommy that always take her kid out of Sacrament but no one understands why.... there have even been times when we have to leave all together.

I am the Activites Chair for our Ward and I have made several adjustments to our Ward Parties to help my son cope with the overstimulation and chaos that can come with the large numbers of people and noise in the cultural hall when having Christmas Parties etc. For instance we always have a small room that is away from the cultural hall where the kids can go do a craft... and we do not have Santa meet the children in the Cultural Hall but in a small classroom or primary room where it is more intimate and less stimulating.

I wish that other members specifically those that work with the primary children had even a general understanding of what helps kids such as mine cope in order to make primary and other activities a positive and spiritual experience.