Grief and bereavement in mental retardation: A need for a new understanding

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Abstract
Without question, persons with mental retardation experience grief and bereavement in response to loss. However, it is unclear how persons with mental retardation comprehend such loss or express their feelings about loss. Understanding how expressions of loss manifest themselves in persons who have difficulty learning, following social norms, and communicating emotions are important because these persons are at greater risk for suffering additional mental health problems as a result of loss. A review of the literature indicates that the issues surrounding loss and bereavement have not been well documented among persons with mental retardation, and it is unclear if there are effective strategies to assist the bereaved person with mental retardation.