Dear Dougy

When someone dies, it creates upheaval in the support system, leading to unfamiliar territory in terms of how to help those with different perceptions and expressions of grief such as language, repetitive gestures or patterning, emotional disconnect, and searching behaviors. Although the outward expression of someone’s grief may be difficult to recognize, the need for their grief to be acknowledged and supported is universal. In this episode, Jana talks with Rebecca Hobbs-Lawrence, a staff member at The Dougy Center, about ways to support children and adults with developmental disabilities in their grief Suggestions for supporting children or adults with developmental disabilities in their grief: Acknowledge the loss by being present and responsive to their verbal and behavioral cues. Affirm that they are not alone, name the support people they have. Maintain a consistent routine as much as possible. Give a lot of advanced notice for when their daily routine may change or be unusual. Facil