Addressing Pediatric Grief Head On with Occupational Therapy

Learner Outcomes

1. 1.Increase awareness of the role of occupational therapy with addressing and providing intervention to children who have experienced grief/loss of a parent, grandparent or sibling.
2. Establish knowledge and an understanding of the incidences of grief with children in the U.S. and lack of available resources for intervention.
3. Inform OTP ‘s of the diagnosis of Prolonged Grief Disorder definition and how the disorder affects a child’s daily occupations, development, and socialization.
4. Provide OTP’s with recommended treatment ideas and suggested assessments with the goal to help children to cope with their grief/loss and live their lives more productively.
5. Provided helpful resources for children, OTP’s, caregivers, and teachers for OT specific intervention carryover in the children’s participation with their occupations.

Abstract
The purpose of the presentation, Addressing Children’s Grief Head With Occupational Therapy is to educate other OTP, caregivers and educators of the need for pediatric grief intervention by addressing the impact of how grief affects children’s occupational performance in the present and for their futures. Children’s grief, if not addressed effectively, has historically contributed to an increase in suicides, poor academic performance, incarcerations and a decline in future successful relationships. Thus, it is my hope as an OT working in pediatrics for over 35 years, to address this much needed mental health topic head on with while deepening participants’s understanding of how children grieve differently than adults while providing practical and creative occupations based interventions to our private practice, school based practice or with our family and friends.

Biography
I have been an OT since 1983 practicing in Florida and Arizona in the areas of pediatric schools, and hospital settings, rehabilitation with specialties in brain injury, low vision and home health. I developed Low Vision programs in 1996 and educated OT’s in Florida and Arizona.

I have had certifications in Early Intervention TOPSEI, Yoga for The Special Child, The Windbridge Institute, Forever Family Foundation and Handwriting Without Tears.

I am an author of three published books Daysee, Last Wishes and There’s a Man Standing Next To You available on Amazon. I have spoken on the internet radio shows and with Forever Family Foundation grief retreats on the topics Intuitive Tools 4 Kids and Journaling for Grief.

I am married to my husband Scott and have two beautiful young daughters while currently residing in Phoenix, AZ.