Disenfranchised Grief: The Death of a Student With Special Needs and the Coping of the School Staff – A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The educational staff that meets the children at school struggles to cope with the death of a child, and often avoids talking with them about the death and their sense of loss. This way of coping is complicated in the case of grief among children with special needs, called “disenfranchised grief ". The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the experience and the perceptions of the educational staff in schools for special education and to assess their way of coping, support and care they employ following the death of a student. 15 staff members from different schools in Israel, interviewed. The findings reveal that schools are a significant source of support for students, staff and parents, alike, in the processing of the loss. The special education frameworks generally maintained a special and close connection with students and families. procedures and guidelines are required following death of a student.