Supporting Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Through Grief and Loss
Persons with intellectual disabilities experience grief and loss just as profoundly as anyone else, yet their needs are often overlooked or misunderstood. This presentation explores how grief may manifest in persons with intellectual disabilities, common barriers to healthy mourning, and practical strategies for providing effective support. Participants will learn how to communicate about death and loss in accessible ways, recognize behavioral and emotional expressions of grief, promote inclusion in mourning rituals, and utilize person-centered interventions that foster healing and resilience. Through discussion, attendees will gain tools to better support persons with intellectual disabilities as they navigate the grieving process.
