The greatly expanded text in these third editions includes information on how people are likely to react when someone is very ill and to their death. It explores difficult emotions, possible physical feelings and behaviour changes. Guidance is given on how to relate to a bereaved person and how to answer the questions ‘How do we feel when someone dies?’, ‘What happens after someone dies?’ and ‘How long does it take to get back to normal?’. There is advice for support staff and carers of those with learning disabilities (including how to formulate guidelines and a sample bereavement questionnaire), plus information on useful written resources and bereavement organisations that can offer further help.

 

These books will be helpful to adolescents and adults with learning disabilities as well as for their carers and supporters. In addition, children without learning disabilities will appreciate these books as they adopt a more direct approach to death than is usual.

 

          

 

“Excellent value …a welcome resource for anyone helping the person with a learning disability to learn more about coping with death.”

Learning Disability Practice

 

“When I first looked through the books I had a clear idea of what I felt the pictures were telling me. However, the first time I used the book with a client I was struck at how different he saw the pictures and how he was able to make it his story. It was then that I realised what a powerful tool the book was and how much it was open to interpretation.”

Counselling Children and Young People