Serving Bereaved Children and Teens with Special Needs

Presentation Description

This presentation will focus on adapting bereavement programs for children and teens with special needs. The challenges and rewards of developing an inclusive program will be explored. We will focus on the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum and those with attentional challenges. We will discuss strategies for intakes, programming, and positive, creative, trauma-informed interventions that maintain the dignity of every participant. Activities that include adaptations and modifications will be shared. The importance of staff and volunteer training will be highlighted. A follow-up conference call will be scheduled for interested participants to continue the conversation about this important work.

About the Presenter

Jennifer Wiles, MA, LMHC, BC-DMT is the Director of Children’s Services at CareGroup Parmenter Home Care & Hospice, Inc, Wayland, MA. She is the director of Camp Erin Boston and of HEARTplay, an award-winning Children's Bereavement Program. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor in Lesley University's Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences. She is a Board-Certified Dance Movement Therapist. She is the founder and director of the Dance Therapy program at the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest. She has over 25 years' experience working with individuals with special needs, and is committed to serving them in the bereavement field.

Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify the range of challenges (cognitive, physical, psycho-social and behavioral) that face grieving children and teens, with specific attention to the additional challenges faced by those with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and other cognitive, behavioral and developmental needs.

2. Participants will be able to apply specific adaptations, using the RICE model, to best serve grieving children and teens in their programs in terms of intakes/interviews, program planning, staffing and volunteer engagement, and interventions.

3. Participants will be able to practice and utilize grief activities and rituals that are adapted for the special needs population.