Dougy Center's newest tip sheet focuses on support for children and teens with autism

Dougy Center's new resource, Supporting Children & Teens with Autism Who are Grieving, is a collaboration with Jennifer Wiles, Director of HEARTplay, and rooted in a Grief Out Loud podcast interview.

This Tip Sheet provides parents, caregivers, and other community members with ideas for concrete, compassionate, and creative support for children and teens with autism who are grieving. 

People might assume that if someone doesn’t express grief in a “typical” way that they aren’t grieving, but for children and teens with autism grief may look different. Rather than crying or verbal expression, they may demonstrate increased stimming, meltdowns, shutdowns, or agitation. Additionally, sensitivity to routine changes may be misinterpreted as a lack of caring about the death, when it’s often both grief and distress about disruption. 

According to Jennifer, families might use a visual support to talk concretely about what death means. It helps children start to understand and be able to ask questions. It’s also important to let children and teens know what to expect, how routines may change, and what other people's reactions might look and sound like.

For more, download the Tip Sheet here. 

Dougy Center youth enjoy art and connection through Camp Samantha

In July, 35 children and teens from Dougy Center's grief support program enjoyed art, music, connection, and more at Camp Samantha.

Camp Samantha is a creative partnership between Dougy Center, Christina and Clay Foutch, and the Samantha Invitational, to honor the memory of Samantha Foutch, the victim of a tragic homicide just before her 10th birthday. Christina, Clay, and others who love Samantha remember and honor her by helping children and teens who are grieving to express themselves through art, music, and other creative outlets.

Held each year during Spring Break and for several days in the summer, Camp Samantha brings together Dougy Center youth for the opportunity to express themselves creatively through art, music, special activities, and more. A big thank you to Saige (pictured top left), a Dougy Center teen participant, who helped plan and lead this summer's Camp Samantha activities.

Special thank you also to OK You, Rose & Cedar Forest Therapy, My Voice Music, and Labor of Love for their generous contributions to Camp Samantha this summer.