Grief in the shadows: exploring loss and bereavement in people with developmental disabilities.

A greater understanding of how developmentally disabled people cope with loss and bereavement is needed to improve assessment and intervention for these individuals. Misconceptions exist about how effectively developmentally disabled persons can articulate their perceptions and feelings about traumatic experiences, death, and the subsequent impact of the events that follow. The lived experience and expression of grief may differ for the developmentally disabled population. As a result, their reactions may not be adequately recognized, interpreted, or managed therapeutically, compounding their distress. Three case reports of developmentally disabled individuals who experienced a loss are presented, along with helpful guidelines regarding assessment and intervention.