I have been working with children and teenagers with special needs off and on for about 15 years. My mother ran her own group family daycare from our home when I was growing up. We had a child that had autism and a child that had down syndrome. As I began assisting my mother with caring for these two children, I knew it was something I was passionate about and wanted to pursue. I then volunteered at my church while I was in high school, working one on one with a boy that had autism. Currently I work with 3 young adults that have special needs in the youth group that I coordinate. We have so much fun together, and I think the most important thing is to just treat them like I would any other adolescent or young adult. I give them responsibilities, teach them about the Bible, coordinate and go on outings with them, and just be there for them as a mentor and show them God's love.