Hi ~ the following is a piece I've just put together and hope it may be helpful for some. It includes articles, books and resources:
Along life’s journey, we all face challenges that are seemingly sent to test us and our ability to cope and grow. We may be sent reeling, brought to our knees, rendered obsolete for a time, minus life’s compass after the death of a loved one, regardless of faith. Hopefully, we emerge stronger given time. One of the hardest challenges in life is that of death, the coming to terms, the letting go, and eventual re-emergence of our ‘self’. Sometimes, we may have time to prepare ourselves for its coming, other times it may creep up on us, all too abruptly, leaving us fighting for breath, struggling to cope from one day to the next.
For some, there may be a sense of relief, especially if this loss involved significant suffering over time. Our reactions and our grief, may differ significantly in expression, from one person to the next and from one day to the next. The rollercoaster ride is very real and very much a part of the grieving process. Some may feel broken, withdrawing from life for some time as a part of ‘coming to terms’ with their loss, while others have a strong desire to talk and share.
Others may outwardly present as strong and ever resilient, whether they are in actuality or not. I’m aware of teenagers on the spectrum who have experienced loss of a parent and have veered dangerously off course onto a self destructive path, in desperate need of an anchor. Just as surely as each human being on the planet is unique and complex, so equally unique and complex may their reactions be.
It should be noted that the loss of a person, not necessarily through death, but as a significant presence in our lives may have the same impact as that of death. This is never more true than for that of an autistic person who tends to be referenced to others. An autistic person may feel emotion far more intensely than one who is not on the autism spectrum. (See “Asperger’s Theory Does About Face – A groundbreaking study suggests people with autism-spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s do not lack empathy – rather, they feel others’ emotions too intensely to cope.http://www.thestar.com/article/633688)
A strong sense of bereavement may be experienced, even for young children on the spectrum, at changes in for example, school settings(the move from one known and learned environment to another), the loss of a friend or perceived friend(due to moving or otherwise).
It is not unusual for a child or adult on the spectrum to laugh or giggle in circumstances where one would anticipate an expression of embarrassment, discomfort, pain or sadness. Unusual reactions toward a death in the family, such as laughter or mania as studied by Berthier(1995) are by no means uncommon for those on the spectrum. This is likely due to the inability to express appropriate and subtle emotions. This is by no means evidence of mental illness or callousness. Understanding and tolerance of idiosyncratic ways of expressing grief is needed. ~Julie
Read in Full:
http://www.aspie-editorial.com/loss-grieving/
18 Sep 2011, 1:09 pm
