When Neurodiversity Collides with Ministry and Missions

When neurodiversity enters the already complicated landscape of ministry and missions, it can feel extremely overwhelming and challenging.

I was working on a project recently with Global Trellis, aptly named “Neurodiversity Week” after the concept of “shark week” because it can feel that big and hard to digest such a vast amount of information.

I realized in that project how much I used the words hard, difficult, challenging, and really hard, difficult, and challenging.

I used those words often because learning about neurodiversity, understanding it’s full impact on your family or marriage, and then figuring out the next steps can really be exactly those words.

I wrote more of my story here and described how I learned of and navigated the journey of neurodiversity for my family.

But when that story collides with ministry and missions, it really becomes a whole other journey of things to learn and navigate.

I was able to share this part of my story on a podcast with Dr. Stephanie Holmes of Neurodiverse Christian Marriages. In this episode, I dove into the actual difficulties that neurodiversity can add to the already complex life of ministry and missions.

You might be living a similar journey of neurodiversity in ministry and in missions or overseas life.

You might relate to my story of just knowing things were extra hard, difficult, and challenging.

You might be looking at your capacity and realizing that you have something else impacting your energy and capacity on the field.

You might just be learning that something might be different and that neurodiversity could be a part of your story.

Podcast: Embracing Neurodiversity Empowering Cross Cultural Workers

When that something else is autism, executive function difficulties, ADHD, AuDHD, special needs, or anything spectrum related, it can be isolating and lonely.

If you’re handling the executive functioning, care, and support for your family while living overseas, homeschooling, and parenting, you might be at your limit.

Your brain and your body are probably flashing all the red lights that something isn’t working well.

How do you fully describe the tension of everything colliding together?

Recently, on Velvet Ashes, I shared about how this kind of tension needs a healing team, a support team, a safe space.

As a neurodiversity coach, I love being on this team for ministry and mission families. I love when missionaries or pastors or pastor’s wives reach out and say, “Yes, I’m on this journey and I need someone to talk to about all of it!”

Some of my clients are neurodiverse women on the field and they are just learning about why it’s been so hard for them!

Some are moms of kids, teens, or young adults on the spectrum.

Some are wives who are struggling silently in very difficult marriages, while living in the glass houses of ministry and missions.

Some are couples who are just realizing that this might be behind some of their communication and ministry challenges.

Neurodiversity can have an incredible impact and it’s very unique to each family and each situation.

Another podcast resource for Neurodiversity and Missions/TCKs

Thankfully, this topic is coming up more often in ministry and mission circles. It’s gaining attention and growing so that more orgs can be equipped to help, support, train, understand, and learn more about how neurodiversity is impacting their people.

Velvet Ashes had their first Equip Conference and with a session on neurodiversity on the field and ADHD in women.

Global Trellis and I did a podcast about learning to educate, accept and give yourself permission to figure out this thing called neurodiversity and how it might be impacting your life, your family, or your marriage in real ways.

If this is a totally new concept and you’re wondering what I’m even talking about, you can read more and find online tests, resources, and links here. Feel free to connect and talk more about it, ask questions, and explore this new topic!

If neurodiversity is impacting you and you feel alone in the difficulties and complexities of ministry and/or missions, please feel free to reach out or jump into any of the above resources.

I’d love to hear your story, hold it with you, and help you on this journey.

One Comment

  1. I love your willingness to help others navigate through the multi-layered challenges—out of personal experience and from an authentic compassionate heart. You are leading well in a field that no one longs to become an expert. Thank you for opening your life to walk with others.

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