Navigating Loss with Compassion

Emotional and practical support to parents navigating the difficult experience of loss by prioritizing their autonomy and avoiding neuronormative assumptions. This includes:

• Active listening and validation without judgment: Using clear language to acknowledge feelings (e.g., "It's okay if your grief shows up as anger or numbness").
• Encouraging self-paced processing: Allowing for delayed or prolonged grief, with reactions potentially surfacing months later.
• Addressing mental health impacts: Watching for signs of burnout and gently suggesting ND-affirming therapy or support groups.
• Maintaining routines and providing sensory accommodations: Helping preserve stability with daily structures and low-stimulation environments.
• Assisting with transitions and secondary losses: Connecting to ND-friendly legal or financial resources.
• Facilitating inclusion in rituals: Ensuring involvement in decisions about funerals or memorials, offering alternatives like virtual attendance.
• Connecting to resources and building networks: Linking to organizations and encouraging peer support in ND communities.

Adapting Support for Neurodivergent Parents

I adapt loss support services to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent (ND) parents by:

• Allowing for atypical grief expressions: Recognizing that ND parents might not display "typical" emotions and offering alternative outlets like art therapy or journaling.
• Providing psychoeducation on ND grief: Educating parents that their experiences are valid and explaining how neurodivergence intersects with loss.
• Integrating somatic and sensory-focused techniques: Incorporating grounding exercises tailored to ND needs, like weighted items or quiet spaces.