WASHINGTON – AutismandGrief.org, a new website to help adults, families, clergy, and other professionals understand, validate, and support the grief experiences of adults with autism will launch today, Hospice Foundation of America announced on Monday. Funded by the  NLM Family Foundation, AutismandGrief.org seeks to foster a healthy understanding of grief and loss for autistic adults.

“During two years of content development, we interviewed and sought input from more than 100 adults with autism, their families, autism experts, and grief authorities who shared their experiences and expertise,” said Amy Tucci, president and CEO of HFA. “The result is a website that will dispel any preconceived notion that adults with autism do not grieve. Autistic adults grieve loss deeply, but their reactions may appear different from those of the neurotypical population. Consequently, they are more likely to be misunderstood and inadequately supported in grief.”

One in 45 U.S. adults is on the autism spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that is highly individualized and presents a wide spectrum of challenges and strengths. Some autistic people need assistance with daily living activities while others function independently. AutismandGrief.org was developed with this wide spectrum in mind.

"The NLM Family Foundation is aware that the experience of being marginalized or ignored during times of grief is far too common in the autism community," said Beth Zwick, program officer at the Foundation. "We are delighted to have partnered with Hospice Foundation of America, the premier grief expert, to create this informative and accessible website. It is our hope that autistic adults, their loved ones, and the professionals who serve them will find what they need here to enable a more sensitive and supportive grief experience."

AutismandGrief.org provides a virtual tool kit for visitors through three portals: one for adults with autism; a second for families, friends, and direct support professionals of adults with autism; and a third for clergy, counselors, and health and human service professionals who support or interact with autistic adults. Website content is also available in Spanish.

The website features:

“Autistic advocates who served as project advisors and editors have been a critical component of this website, which is the first of its kind,” said Cindy Bramble, HFA’s director of special projects and manager of the Autism and Grief Project. “We hope it will be an important resource that fosters a healthier grief experience for adults on the spectrum worldwide.”

Please note: The use of identity-first language ("an autistic adult" or "an autistic") and person-first language ("an adult with autism") is a personal choice. The creators of autismandgrief.org consulted with autistic researchers and advocates to understand the range of views regarding language use and to respect all views by alternating a variety of styles throughout autismandgrief.org.