Video Transcript: Differences in Intellectual Ability

I have had the joy of sitting beside many individuals who would be considered as having a severe to profound level of intellectual ability. While I generally had prepared some kind of activity to do together, the course of the time together was often altered by their reaction and our interaction. If a song got a huge smile, we did it several times together. If that person looked away or got upset by a picture, I would change it out with something else. I often imagined that we were dance partners together. Sometimes I was the leader, and sometimes that individual would lead, and I would follow. We moved through the activity together, linked by reading body movements and expressions, and following the lead of the Holy Spirit. If you have the joy of being in community with a person who appears to have quite limited intellectual ability, consider your role as a dance partner. While there may be some activities in this Together Curriculum or the worship service you can adapt, much of your time will most likely be based on what you have discovered about your group member. Does this person smile each time there is music? Then, put questions and scriptures to music even if the musical score is not provided in the materials. Does this person get excited when there is a dog or other animal in a picture? Glue dogs and animals all over the printed materials, even the bulletin handed to this individual. Pick out the one main and most important phrase or idea of the day, and find ways to voice it, write it, picture it, sing it, rap it, tap it, count it, and create it. Use that individual's name often to personalize the idea. God loves you, Nicole, might be the main point of the time together. And remember as you dance the time away that God wants to speak to you, too. That individual has gifts from God for you. Look for them, delight in them, thank God for those gifts, soak up His blessing through your partner as you imagine a time when you will both be dancing on the streets of gold as brothers and sisters in Christ.