This week we explore a sensitive and perhaps under addressed topic, the experience of grief and loss for children and teens with autism. In the course of life, it is inevitable that we are all touched by the loss of a loved one and yet it is not a topic we may think to prepare for. Families with a child who has autism can easily be caught at a loss for what to do or how to best support their child’s natural but painful experience of grief. This week, host Rob Haupt looks at the complexities of supporting children and teens during this vulnerable time. Rob is happy to welcome author Karla Helbert to share her insights as psychotherapist and bereavement counselor who specializes in serving the autism community.

Karla Helbert is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and has been working as a therapist since 2000. She operates a private psychotherapy practice with a focus on loss, grief and bereavement and specializes in therapy for people with autism spectrum disorders. Prior to opening her private practice, Karla worked for 13 years for a private non-profit organisation serving children, adolescents and adults with autism. She also facilitates bereavement support groups for local hospices and for the MISS Foundation, an international non-profit helping families grieving the death of a child. As a bereaved mother and a trained therapist, she has a deep personal, as well as clinical, understanding of the difficult issues facing those grieving the deaths of loved ones.

All Autism Talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by Autism Spectrum Therapies (autismtherapies.com) and Trellis Services (trellisservices.com) and Learn It Systems (learnitsystems.com)