Clergy & Other Professionals

Clergy & Other Professionals

The information and resources in this portal are intended to help you provide support to a grieving autistic adult. Autism and grief responses are both highly individualized, making each person’s life experience and grief journey unique. The suggestions in this portal should be adapted based on needs of the individual.

Professional Education Programs

Spirituality & Autism Program

This 90-minute (1.5 CE) program focuses on supporting adults with autism in their grief and loss and explains ways in which adults with autism may experience and express grief. The program features experts who provides tools, resources, and strategies for clergy and faith leaders to use in their communities to enfranchise and support those with autism throughout their grief journey.

Target Audience: Clergy, chaplains, pastoral care professionals, youth ministry leaders, religious educators, and others from any spiritual or faith traditions.

Autism & Grief Program

This 60-minute (1 CE) program empowers professionals in their service to adults with autism experiencing grief and loss. Expert panelists examine the disenfranchisement that can occur for grieving people with autism and discuss ways to enfranchise them during their grief journey. The program also addresses grief after non-death losses, anticipatory mourning, and how adults with autism may best be supported.

Target Audience: Social workers, nurses, paraprofessionals, speech therapists, occupational therapists, funeral directors, and other caring professionals.

About Autism & Grief

Professionals in a range of roles and disciplines have a high probability of interacting with someone on the autism spectrum, in their professional capacities and/or in their personal lives. Click the button below to learn more about autism, grief, and suggestions to provide support to a grieving autistic adult. Content in this section covers:

  • About Autism & Grief
  • You Know an Adult with Autism
  • Characteristics of Autism
  • Grief Reactions in Adults with Autism
  • Spectrum Variations
  • Guidelines for Interacting with a Grieving Autistic Adult
  • Key Takeaways
  • Case Studies – Autism & Grief

Religion, Spirituality & Role of Rituals

Click the button below to learn more about religion, spirituality, the role of rituals, and the importance of inclusion and choice when supporting a grieving autistic adult. Content in this section discusses:

  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Role of Rituals
  • Inclusion
  • When Attending is Not an Option
  • Faith Rituals
  • Case Studies – Spirituality & Role of Religion

More About Grief

Disenfranchised Grief

When grief is disenfranchised, complications in the grieving process can occur. These complications can be magnified for a person with autism as well as for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click the button below to learn more about:

  • Disenfranchised Grief
  • How an Autistic Adult’s Grief is Disenfranchised
  • Responding to Disenfranchised Grief
  • Case Studies – Disenfranchised Grief

Grieving Styles

Every person’s way of coping with grief and loss will be shaped by their own strengths and experiences. Often referred to as “grieving styles,” these responses may be influenced, but are not determined by, factors such as gender, ethnicity, and culture.  Click the button below to learn about:

  • Grieving Styles
  • Support Strategies
  • Case Study – Grieving Styles

Grief & Contemporary Grief Theories

While current research has not included adults with autism, understanding current grief theory is helpful to any professional working with any grieving individual. While these theories are based on neurotypical populations, they can illustrate some of the issues that may complicate grief in persons on the spectrum. Click the button below to learn about:

  • What is Grief?
  • Contemporary Grief Theories
  • Worden’s Tasks of Mourning Model
  • Task Theory and Autism
  • Dual Process Model
  • Conducting a Loss Inventory
  • Helpful Evidence-Based Terms

Coping with Serious Illness

The diagnosis of a life-limiting illness is a difficult time for families. Whether the loved one is a family member, close friend, direct support staff, or pet, a serious illness can cause distress, confusion, and worry.  Click the button below to learn about:

  • Coping with Serious Illness
  • Recommendations for Providing Support
  • Hospice and Palliative Care
  • Case Studies – Serious Illness

Helpful Tools

Use the case studies, social stories, and loss inventory in this portal to enhance your expertise when supporting a grieving autistic adult.

Case Studies:

  • Autism & Grief
  • Communicating the News of Death
  • Disenfranchised Grief
  • Grieving Styles
  • Spirituality & Role of Religion
  • Serious Illness

Social Stories:

  • Preparing for a Funeral
  • Remembering My Loved One
  • Someone Close to Me Died