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Launch for first-of-its-kind book on autism and loss

An essential, first-of-its-kind resource for carers working with people with autism who are coping with any kind of loss will be launched at the University of Kent on Monday 4 February.

Titled Autism and Loss [Jessica Kingsley Publishers] and written by Dr Rachel Forrester-Jones and Sarah Broadhurst, the book covers a variety of kinds of loss, including bereavement, loss of friends or staff, loss of home or possessions, and loss of health. Rooted in the latest research and written in an accessible style, Autism and Loss

Autism and Loss will be launched at 7pm on Monday 4 February in Rutherford Staff Common Room, Rutherford College at the University's Canterbury campus. Both authors will also present case studies from the book at 6pm in Rutherford College Lecture Theatre 1. Both events are free and open to all. There is disabled access to Rutherford College.

Dr Forrester-Jones, Senior Lecturer in Community Care at the Tizard Centre, University of Kent, said: 'People with autism often experience difficulty in understanding and expressing their emotions and react to losses in different ways or in ways that carers do not understand. In order to provide effective support, carers need to have the understanding, the skills and appropriate resources to work through these emotional reactions with them.'

Sarah Broadhurst, formerly a Lecturer in Learning Disabilities at the Tizard Centre and now a Research Consultant at Oxford Brookes University, said: 'Issues surrounding mono-attention and sensory processing are at the heart of understanding how to support someone on the autistic spectrum coming to terms with a loss.'

Dr Rachel Forrester-Jones researches social networks and social support of different client groups including students with disabilities. She also engages in service consultancy.

Sarah Broadhurst has worked in services for adults on the autistic spectrum. She has a special interest in working with people who have Asperger's Syndrome and has helped to run support groups for them.

Contact: mediaoffice@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 3:27pm 29 January 2008