The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Death and dying can be a difficult topic to address with any child. Children with special needs require a particular sensitivity that takes into account their unique learning and processing needs. This presentation will explore developmental stages and grief as related to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, will focus on key challenges of those with ASD as they process the death of someone in their lives, and will present concrete strategies for parents and professionals in supporting these children around loss.

The United States is experiencing significant growth in the aging population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s report entitled, An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States, between 2012 and 2050, the number of people over age 65 is projected to increase from 43.1 million to 83.7 million. At the same time, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder is increasing (1 in 68 children), and 15-20% of students have a diagnosed learning disability. A significant number of children, therefore, learn best through concrete explanations that promote greater ease in processing information. In consideration of these demographics, practitioners and parents require a better understanding of how children with special needs process loss.

Though every child experiences grief in a unique way, their response to loss will be affected by their developmental stage. Examining what we know about grief and loss in children and teens, we will explore the applicability and limitations of using typical developmental stages as a means for understanding grief for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with ASD are prone to concrete thinking and have difficulty with reading emotions and other social cues. The concept of death, with unanswerable questions and a reliance on belief systems that cannot be seen, poses particular barriers in helping children with ASD process grief and loss in healthy and productive ways. We will look at how to navigate those unanswerable questions, while taking into account sensory needs and other considerations such as non-verbal communication.

The session will feature concrete strategies for professionals, including social workers, psychologists, educators, and parents to take with them, including examples of using clear language, how to prepare for a funeral of memorial service, and how to anticipate the range of emotions of both the child and the people surrounding the child. We will provide examples of short picture stories, tools for remembering the person who died, and suggestions for how to help maintain the child’s sense of structure and routine.

Just as the development of many skills is dependent upon early support for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, so too is it crucial for them to learn effective coping skills around death. The experience of loss, and how it is handled, sets the foundation for how an individual will deal with future loss (whether due to death or more everyday changes and transitions). When parents and professionals understand how grief is impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder, children will gain skills that they can carry with them through their entire lifespan.