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.