In this episode, we delve into the grief experiences of children and teens with autism. Our guest, Jennifer Wiles, M.A., LMHC, BC-DMT, FT - Director of the HEARTplay Program and a dance movement therapist with decades of experience - joins us to discuss how children with autism process grief and how parents and others in their lives can support them. Drawing on her background in both nonverbal forms of expression and grief support, Jennifer shares compassionate, practical insights rooted in her work with families. This conversation is both timely and essential, especially during Autism Acceptance Month, as it highlights the importance of expanding how we understand and support grief beyond more traditional approaches rooted in words.
We discuss:
The importance of using direct, concrete language when talking about death
Common misconceptions about how kids with autism express grief
Why behaviors often interpreted as indifference may be expressions of deep emotion
How sensory overload and disrupted routines can intensify grief reactions
The powerful role of nonverbal communication—movement, gesture, rhythm, and ritual—in grief expression
How social stories and structured activities can prepare kids for events like funerals
Grief rituals for significant days like anniversaries and birthdays
The impact of other losses, including changes in routine, missed milestones, and the death of service animals
Resources mentioned:
Toolkit from the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG): A resource for supporting children of all abilities who are grieving
Books:
I Have a Question About... series by Meredith Polsky & Arlen Gaines
Understanding Death and Illness and What They Teach About Life by Catherine Faherty
A Kids Book About Grief by Brennan Wood
HEARTplay Program: Free downloadable social stories and grief support
Have feedback or a story to share? Email us at griefoutloud@dougy.org
Visit dougy.org for grief support resources, activity sheets, and past episodes.
Grief often arrives without warning and changes everything we thought we knew about ourselves, our families, and the world around us. In this episode, we talk with Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague about their new book, When Grief Comes Home, a resource created from years of both personal loss and professional experience supporting families who are grieving. Erin, founding Executive Director of Jessica’s House in Central California, and Colleen, Program Director, discuss how they came to write this book that blends memoir, practical tools, and reflective questions.
We discuss:
Resources & Mentions:
When Grief Comes Home: A Guide For Living Through Loss While Supporting Your Child, by Erin and Colleen – [available wherever you get your books]
Jessica’s House: https://jessicashouse.org/
Dougy Center: https://www.dougy.org/
💬 Connect with us: griefoutloud@dougy.org
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Grief Out Loud is produced by Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families.
What does it mean to lose your anchor people? In a short period of time, Renée Watson experienced the death of her mother, her mentor Nikki Giovanni, and her childhood friend, Charnetta. Renée shares how these experiences influenced her latest novel for young readers, All the Blues in the Sky, which follows 13-year-old Sage as she navigates grief after the death of her best friend.
Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose recent book All the Blues in the Sky explores grief through the eyes of a young person. Her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Coretta Scott King Award and Newbery Honor. Her children's picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. Many of her books are inspired by her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the Pacific Northwest.
We Discuss
Experiencing multiple significant losses in a short period of time
The impact of losing "anchor people" in one's life
How Renée's mentor and friend, Nikki Giovanni, supported her as she grieved for her mother
The spectrum of emotions that come with grief
Why it’s important to acknowledge grief rather than avoid it
The comparison of sudden loss versus anticipated loss
Finding tangible reminders of love after someone dies
Connect with Renée Watson
Website: RenéeWatson.net
About Dougy Center
Grief Out Loud is a production of Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children and Families in Portland, Oregon. For more resources, visit dougy.org or email griefoutloud@dougy.org.