Children do not need protection from the feelings and emotions associated with grief but support to express them and reassurance that these sometimes powerful and overwhelming emotions are normal and necessary. This is even more the case for children with learning difficulties.

• Use a simple workbook such as "When Someone Very Special Dies" by Marge Heegard. This can easily be adapted for various ability levels.
• Looking at photographs or watching videos of the person who has died can facilitate expressions of sadness or anger.
• Act as a role model, shed tears if genuinely felt, use symbols to communicate how you are feeling but also reassure that you are OK and your response is natural.
• Carrying a comfort object such as a small piece of warm furry blanket can be an aid for getting through difficult moments.
• Offer opportunities for safe ways to express frustration and anger which for all children can play a big part in their grief. Reassure that being angry is OK. Give the child a huge sheet of paper and a selection of paints,  a lump of wet clay is great for digging fingers into, rolled up newspaper when hit against the edge of a desk shreds in a very satisfyingly destructive way.