A Special Kind of Grief ─ The Complete Guide for Supporting Bereavement and Loss in Special Schools ( and Other SEND Settings)

Helton, a special education trainer and consultant in the UK and US, offers a guide to help professionals who work with children and adults with special educational needs and disability (SEND) in special schools and other settings support these students with bereavement and loss. She discusses the importance of acknowledging grief; how to inform staff, students, parents, families, and the wider community; how grief affects children at different ages and developmental stages; common signs and behaviors of grieving children and how to support them, including individuals with autistic spectrum disorders; talking about funerals, cremations, and burials; different forms of grief and loss; traumatic losses; when to refer children to other professionals; supporting staff; dos and don’ts for staff; how emotions and grief affect the body and the breath; holistic support; holding special assemblies and memorials; managing the school environment following the death of a member of the school community and managing the classroom after the death of a student; supporting families; anniversaries and annual events to mark the lives of those who have died; and school management, including bereavement and loss policy and procedures, curriculum, and staff training. Annotation ©2017 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Sarah Helton is a SEND trainer and consultant with 20+ years of SEND experience in the UK and US.