Finding Your Own Way to Grieve

Friends and family members gave me so many books and articles in the early days and weeks of my loss. I opened this book first and it has brought me comfort. In the early weeks and years of grief, there are times when it is necessary for words to be simple, gentle, and kind. I have found that in Karla Helbert's work, Finding Your Own Way to Grieve. Although it is targeted for the person who has autism, this has been one of the most helpful books and guides that I have. I turn to it often as it is soothing to be supported in my own personal grief. I have received validation and ideas for creative ways to work within my own grief journey.

We recently lost my mother in law, and she was an extremely good grandmother. She also was very close to my children, one of which has autism. I received this book promptly and I still am very happy with this as a reference workbook. There are many activities to engage both of my children in how to channel sadness, anger, and other emotions that come with death. It's a process and this book is helping me help my children. That means a lot to a mom. Thank you.

This is a great book for those with children who are bereaved. Very thoughtful and a wonderful resource.

I work as a grief counselor for a hospice agency, and quite often support people with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) as well as people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who have experienced the death of a significant person. There are not a lot of books that offer the depth that Karla's book offers. In this book, there are tools, techniques, language around grief and loss, and creative ways of processing grief that address the unique needs of people with ASD who are grieving.My admission: I do not work with children and teens, so I have adapted much of this book for work with adults with ASD and I/DD, and it's been incredibly useful. I would highly recommend this book for any clinician or family member who may possibly need a resource such as this one. It's written with clear, clinically thoughtful language and honors the strengths and the complexities that can arise with anyone who is grieving the loss of someone significant, especially someone who may just need different ways to process a loss.

I am a child and family counselor and I love this book! Finding Your Own Way to Grieve is geared at adults who parent or work with children and teens on the autism spectrum, but I have used the activities in this book with children who are not on the autism spectrum as well. Helbert defines death and grieving in a way that is simple and straight forward, culturally sensitive, and communicated with grace and warmth. I know of a few kids who would give this book a thumbs up as well :) Thank you, Karla, for taking the time to write and share this book about such a difficult topic.

A really easy book to read that is well presented. The ideas given are carefully thought out and easy to carry out with a child or teenager. I have adapted some of the ideas having written them out using 'Communicate in Print' symbols. A great book and resource. As a music therapist I am using the material to help provide some structure and direction to my work and then using music and improvisation to reflect further on what we have thought about.