Loss is a part of life—but that doesn’t make it easy, especially for kids and teens who feel things deeply. In this heartfelt, (with plenty of funny moments!) episode of The Mother-Son Podcast with Kim & Jake, we dive into different kinds of loss—from losing friends, changing schools, and even saying goodbye to loved ones—and how grief can look and feel different for neurodiverse kids.

Kim and Jake share personal stories, expert insights, and real-life coping strategies to help families navigate loss together. Whether it’s understanding friend breakups, helping kids process emotions, or learning how grief uniquely affects neurodiverse children and teens, this episode offers support, empathy, and practical tools for healing.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The many types of loss (beyond death) and how they impact kids and teens
Why friend breakups can feel as painful as romantic ones
How ADHD and autism can affect grief processing, including Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and masking
Coping strategies for neurodiverse kids dealing with friendship changes or school transitions
Expert-backed ways parents can support their children through grief and loss

📚 Sources & References Mentioned:

HelpGuide.org – Understanding Grief: Coping with Loss (Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.)
National Institute on Aging (NIA) – Coping with Grief and Loss
YoungMinds.org.uk – Supporting Young People Through Grief and Friendship Loss
SimplyPsychology.org – Social Dynamics and Masking in Neurodiverse Teens
Relational Psych – ADHD, Rejection Sensitivity, and Friendship Challenges
NeurodivergentInsights.com – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and Emotional Intensity in ADHD
The Mini ADHD Coach – Friendships and Emotional Regulation in ADHD
Autism.org.uk – Masking and Its Impact on Mental Health
Grief Australia / The Neurodivergent Collective – Complicated Grief in Neurodiverse Populations
Research by Joseph Gasper on School Mobility and Emotional Impact on Children
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare – Healthy Coping Strategies for Grief
SBM.org – Impact of Sleep and Physical Activity on Mental Health and Grief Recovery

🔗 Find Us Here:

🌐 Website: www.themothersonpodcast.com
📸 Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: Click Here
🎧 Listen on Spotify: Click Here

Or, 🎧 Wherever you get your podcasts!

💬 If this episode helped you or someone you love, please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review—it helps more families find conversations like this.

Helping Teens Cope with Loss: Friend Breakups, Grief, and Big Life Changes (Including Neurodiverse Kids)

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