Acknowledging and Responding to Feelings of Grief: Essential Strategies when working with Family Members of those Diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities – 4/8/19

Abstract:

As most professionals know, parents of individuals with autism and other life-altering diagnoses experience high-levels of stress. Less obvious however, is the experience of grief and loss that these parents experience during their child’s lifespan.  This live webinar, presented by Connie Palmer, Clinical Director for Imagine, A Center for Coping and Loss in Westfield, NJ, will focus on this experience of loss and normalize the grief of parents with children on the autism spectrum or with any life altering diagnosis. Ms. Palmer will provide insight into the psychosocial impact of such a diagnosis and review essential skills necessary for professionals to interact and communicate with members of this population.  Parents are encouraged attend and contribute their experiences working with professionals who were insensitive to their grief process during the “open share” portion of the event which will take place during the last half hour of the webinar.

Learning Objectives:

• Define loss, grief, mourning and resilience
• Describe the losses experienced by parents after a life altering diagnosis
• Identify barriers to expressing grief and getting support
• List the key components of the Companioning Model of grief support

6:30 pm: Introduction
6:35 pm: Presentation begins
8:15 pm: Q&A submit questions for chat
8:30 pm: Posttest, Evaluation and submit attendance codes”