Online: Supporting Neurodivergent Kids and Youth in Church
About
Seen, Safe and Included: Supporting Neurodivergent Kids and Young People in ChurchAlphabet Kids & Youth in Church
Practical, neuroaffirming support for children and young people in ministry settings
This workshop is designed for anyone involved in church-based programs supporting children and young people, including children’s ministry leaders, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, pastors, helpers, and volunteers.
Many churches are seeing an increase in children with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory differences, trauma backgrounds, and other complex profiles. These children are often described as “challenging,” “disruptive,” or “hard to manage”—but these behaviours are often a form of communication linked to stress, overwhelm, and unmet needs.
This workshop provides a practical, neuroaffirming framework to understand and support these children within volunteer-led church environments.
Grounded in both evidence-based practice and a faith and values-based approach to inclusion, this session will explore how churches can move beyond behaviour management and towards relational, safe, and sustainable support.
This is not denomination-specific and is suitable across all church contexts.
Participants will leave with:
A clear understanding of common “alphabet” diagnoses (e.g. autism, ADHD, anxiety, PDA, sensory processing differences) and how they show up in church settings
Practical strategies to support children who:
won’t sit still
refuse to participate
become overwhelmed or dysregulated
disengage or shut down
The ability to recognise the difference between:
a tantrum (goal-driven behaviour)
a meltdown (nervous system overload)
Simple tools to reduce escalation and support regulation in the moment
A framework for understanding behaviour as communication
Strategies that work within volunteer-led environments with limited resources
Confidence in responding to unsafe or high-risk behaviours in a calm and appropriate way
Language and approaches that are neuroaffirming and relationship-based
Practical ideas that can be implemented immediately in:
Sunday school
youth group
church services
holiday programs
Bobbi Cook is a Senior Therapist and Complex Disability Specialist with over 40 years’ experience supporting children, young people, and families with complex needs. Alongside her clinical work, Bobbi brings extensive hands-on experience within church and faith-based settings.
Bobbi has a long history of involvement in children’s and youth ministry, including leadership roles within children’s church programs and youth settings. She completed child and youth ministry training through Youth With A Mission (YWAM), including the King’s Kids program, and has worked with Scripture Union delivering camps, SUPA Clubs, and training for children’s and youth workers.
Across these roles, Bobbi has supported and trained volunteers working with children of all abilities, including those with complex disability profiles, behavioural differences, and high support needs.
More recently, Bobbi has led and supported inclusive children’s church programs specifically designed for children with complex needs, where traditional models of participation were not accessible. This work has focused on creating safe, flexible, and neuroaffirming environments that prioritise connection, regulation, and belonging.
Bobbi brings a unique combination of clinical expertise and real-world ministry experience, offering practical, immediately usable strategies that are realistic within volunteer-led church environments. Her approach is grounded in understanding behaviour as communication, supporting nervous system regulation, and ensuring that all children—regardless of ability—are able to be seen, safe, and included.
Date
Saturday 30 May 2026 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (UTC+10)Location
Online event access details will be provided by the event organiser
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Online: Supporting Neurodivergent Kids and Youth in Church
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