B5-C Autism, Death, and Grief: Experiences from different perspectives

Many parents have a major fear of what will happen to their child after they are gone.  The traumatic state that can occur is hard enough for neurotypical children, much less children on the spectrum. This presentation will focus on the experience of death of a loved one, especially a parent, from the viewpoint of people with ASD and a Parents point of view. The speakers lost   parents and loved ones too soon and will describe the grieving processes, the difficulties faced, the supports they found helpful, and what advice they have for parents, siblings, relatives, and professionals. Strategies for helping prepare for the inevitable will be implemented.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants will hear personal stories of those that have experienced loss while living and dealing With ASD as well as Supporting someone who has ASD.
2. Participants will learn tips for making sure a child or loved one with ASD is supported and taken care of after the passing of a loved one.
3. Participants will learn several tools that can be used to help individuals with autism prepare for the death of a loved one and how to come to terms with loss.

Speakers