2024 Annual Report > Meeting the Needs of Neurodiverse Children and Families
Meeting the needs of
NEURODIVERSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
ABIDING HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH’S NATURE SCHOOL | LITTLETON, COLORADO
Published on June 2, 2025
Since its beginning in 1987, Abiding Hope Lutheran Church in Littleton, Colorado, has been faithfully Ministering to its neighbors. Building on its long-standing tradition of educational outreach, including its well- established preschool, the church recognized the evolving needs of its community and responded with the launch of the Nature School in 2022. This new initiative, funded in part by a loan from the Mission Investment Fund (MIF), was created specifically for preschoolers with a neurodiverse learning style, and it is an extension of the church’s broader commitment to inclusive, community-driven education.
MEETING THE GROWING NEED FOR INCLUSION
“Around 2000, the congregation decided to create a preschool at the church, and it was an immediate success, filling a noticeable gap in childcare in Littleton, part of the Denver metropolitan area,” says the Rev. Douglas Hill, lead pastor at Abiding Hope. For more than 20 years, the school has been a trusted community resource. For the past 12, it has been at full capacity.
As the preschool grew in service to the community, Erin Fisher, director of schools for the congregation, noticed a growing number of children exhibiting developmental, sensory and other learning-style differences. This shift had been occurring even before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic only amplified these struggles. Conversation with a congregant who is a pediatric occupational therapist confirmed what she was seeing.
“Several children with sensory differences couldn’t be served with our current, traditional preschool model,” notes Pastor Hill. In addition, while some resources are available in public schools, “moving from one school to another to receive services is hard on kids and families,” Fisher confides. Recognizing that a more tailored approach was necessary, the church began exploring new ways to serve. Pastor Hill recalls, “We couldn’t say no to the families.” Abiding Hope had to find a way to support them.
WHAT IS NEURODIVERSITY?
According to Harvard Medical School, “Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.”* Cognitive processing exists on a spectrum, and the Nature School is designed to support neurodiverse and neurotypical children—and everyone in between—creating an inclusive, welcoming space for all.
A NATURE-BASED APPROACH TO LEARNING
Studies have shown that being in nature is beneficial to all children, especially those who are neurodivergent. The Nature School emphasizes that for thousands of years, people have turned to nature and their environment for learning and problem solving, making the outdoors, with its countless “loose parts,” the perfect classroom.
Using everyday items adaptively is part of “loose parts” play. By participating in unstructured outdoor play—creating and executing their own ideas—children’s imaginations are energized and inspired while promoting teamwork, self-esteem, pride and self-regulation.
What would it take to create a second, nature-based preschool specifically to address the needs of neurodivergent learners?
“We looked to provide a multisensory approach that would reach children who are typically overlooked and underserved in traditional classrooms, with an integrated curriculum that also serves neurotypical children so that all of the students can be immersed in an inclusive, accepting and loving learning environment,” Pastor Hill recalls.
“We looked to provide a multisensory approach that would reach children who are typically overlooked and underserved in traditional classrooms.”
CREATING A SPACE FOR EVERY CHILD
In seeking to develop a space where both neurodiverse and neurotypical children could thrive, Abiding Hope’s leaders turned to the congregation for support. When the idea of a nature school was shared with the congregation, the response was overwhelming. “There were tears throughout worship as people shared stories of their own kids or their siblings’ kids or someone they knew who had kids who learned in a different way,” Pastor Hill notes.
A unanimous congregation vote in favor of the Nature School—characterized by Pastor Hill as beautiful and deeply spiritual—moved the project forward. And, like the traditional preschool, the Nature School is inclusive of all students and a direct ministry of the congregation.
Wondering if they could simply expand the existing preschool, Abiding Hope realized that they were at capacity.
To expand with the Nature School’s vision in mind, Abiding Hope turned to MIF for help.Familiar with MIF from a loan provided in the late 1990s to improve its administration wing, kitchen and nursery, the church sought another partnership. “We needed to buy another property right away and turned to MIF,” says Pastor Hill.
A Presbyterian Church near Abiding Hope was closing. The building and six acres of land were for sale. Moving quickly, the congregation made an offer.
It was accepted. “Working with MIF has been nothing but easy, and we feel a genuine sense of partnership. MIF fell in love with the vision of the Nature School, and we are grateful for their support. We are thrilled to be working with MIF as it reinvests in other congregations and builds Christ’s church,” says Pastor Hill.
A GROWING AND THRIVING COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Today, the Nature School, which began with a soft opening in September 2022 with 40 students, is serving at capacity with 150 students and a waitlist.
The faith-based, nature preschool, with an inclusive therapeutic approach, provides services for neurotypical and neurodiverse children from six weeks to six years old. Early intervention services—free for children under three—means children receive early support, improving outcomes. “We provide occupational and speech therapy, and these are the most common,” notes Fisher. Families are also able to find their own therapists, in addition to on-site and physical therapists, depending on the child’s needs. Incorporating therapies throughout the school day has made an enormous difference to children and families. Waiting until after the school day for therapy means children are often exhausted and unable to focus, thus deriving less benefit. The Nature School also provides space for therapists on-site at a discounted rate.
Both preschools have weekly chapel, with a standing invitation for parents, relatives and friends. “We are building a relationship with families,” shares Fisher.
The Nature School strives to empower neurodiverse children with the skills and confidence to seamlessly integrate into neurotypical classrooms, ensuring a smoother transition and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
THE HABITAT: EXPANDING THE VISION
Building on the success of the Nature School, Abiding Hope is now planning “The Habitat”—a nature center designed to provide inclusive spaces for individuals set to launch later this year. Recognizing that the need for belonging and support extends beyond early childhood, the congregation saw an opportunity to create a space where neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals alike could connect, learn and grow in a natural setting.
“The Habitat will be for all ages,” notes Jeremy Hill, director of Habitat Ministries, “for those who are neurodivergent, neurotypical, interested in care of creation, with classes on nature, pathways, gardens, contemplative hikes and year-round activities.” The center will work at helping people feel included in the community, decreasing loneliness and isolation.
“People will be able to be immersed in nature and time spent with others,” adds Hill.
A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE
As Abiding Hope brings this vision to life, Pastor Hill is grateful for MIF’s participation in the project.
“We see MIF as partners in Christ’s mission and faithful in providing loans for grassroots ministry. The vision keeps growing,” he shares, “and doors keep opening. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. God is blessing it, creating a place of hope and agency, for self and others, for the community and for creation.”
* “What is neurodiversity?” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645. Accessed on March 11, 2025.
To learn more about Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, please visit: www.abidinghope.org