One of the most effective means churches have for providing needed supports for children, teens, and adults who have disabilities is a buddy ministry. Adult or peer volunteers can assist people with disabilities in discipleship, skill development, and navigating church life. Buddies can be useful in many settings: Sunday School, small groups, worship services, choir, and fellowship settings. But the greatest contribution buddies can have is in facilitating healthy friendships between people with disabilities, themselves, and others. 

Whether a buddy ministry is highly organized or informal, it is important to provide adult and peer buddies with effective strategies. Here are some practical tips for volunteers working with their buddies who have disabilities:

1. Know Your Role

2. Know Your Buddy

• Learn in advance your buddy’s interests, preferred communication, things he or she can do independently or needs help with, and typical interaction with peers.
• Know what makes your buddy uneasy, any triggers, and good redirection phrases.
• Learn about the diagnosis (if it is disclosed), allergies, and restroom independence.

3. Encourage Safe Independence

• Help your buddy only as much as is necessary. People should do as much as possible for themselves. It may help if you demonstrate activities first.
• Give choices when possible. For example, say “You may do this activity or you may do that activity.”
• Safety is primary though. You may need to sit right beside your buddy, sit somewhere nearby in the classroom, and walk with your buddy to different settings. Always keep a watchful eye!

4. Use Positive Language

• Change your don’t’s to do’s. Positive language focuses on what you want your buddy to do. For example, if your buddy is running, say “Please walk with me,” instead of “Don’t run.”
• Praise each thing your buddy does right or well. This reinforces desired behavior.
• Use a welcoming, calm tone of voice. You can be authoritative by being firm without being demanding or raising your voice.

5. Make Positive Behavior Desirable

• Use the First/Then approach. Do a less-preferred activity first, followed by a preferred activity. For example, you might say, “First we will sing songs. Then we will play with playdough.”
• It may help to write your First/Then goals on a dry erase board and carry it with you. If your buddy doesn’t read, make a chart with pictures or draw symbols and carry with you.
• Use the Try Again approach. When your buddy demonstrates an inappropriate action, ask her or him to “Try again.” Guide or model the desired response for your buddy as needed.

6. Slow Down

• When talking or asking a question, practice the “Pause.” Maintain eye contact and pause for 15 seconds or more to allow your buddy to process your request and respond.
• Take regular breaks to allow your buddy to process what is being learned and to have some personal space.
• Breaks might be in the classroom, in the hall or a different classroom. Sometimes a quiet, calming environment helps. 

7. Make Transitions Easier

• Prepare for what is coming up. Use a picture schedule. Use countdowns such as, “In five minutes we’re going to…”  Then, “In two minutes we’re going to…” Try to avoid abrupt changes.
• Arrive at class late or early when halls and doorways aren’t crowded and active.
• Let your buddy take something to the next activity.

8. Set Goals and Succeed

• Set small, attainable weekly goals. For example, go to 5 minutes of your buddy’s age-appropriate class. Increase the time in class as your buddy is able. Begin with the portion of class that is most desirable.
• Each goal met becomes a success that motivates your buddy to experience more.
• Do a small activity that your buddy can accomplish and feel good about what he or she has done. Praise your buddy for the accomplishment.

9. Simplify 

• Break multi-part instructions or tasks into individual steps to do one at a time. Try to use concrete language.
• Simplify the Bible lesson.  Work with the class teacher to present the concept of a lesson in a way your buddy can see it, hear it, and do it in order to increase her or his engagement.
• Learn the Bible focus in advance. This will give you time to simplify the lesson into one key concept your buddy can easily remember.

10. Make and Use a Discovery Box

• Work with your buddy’s teacher or parents to make a Discovery Box with items that will help your buddy engage with the lesson and classroom activities.
• The box should be easily portable so you and your buddy can use it in the classroom or other settings.
• Ask your buddy’s teacher or parents to demonstrate to you how to use all of the items in the box.

 

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