The parents and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities frequently experience a sense of loss and grief, which periodically resurfaces with intensity throughout the child’s lifetime. Known as recurrent grief, this normal grief response is often unrecognized by helping professionals, resulting in diminished support for parents and caregivers. This capstone uses evidence-based literature to explore the nature and path of this grief experience, identify the mental and physical health risks facing parents of children with disabilities, and suggest strategies for empowering parents to cope with the stressors of parenting amidst these recurring episodes of grief. The capstone addresses the emotional cost of caregiving among professional service providers and proposes strategies for avoiding compassion fatigue while encouraging obtainment of the compassion satisfaction characteristic of productive careers. Occupational therapy theory, treatment models and related frames of reference contribute to the capstone’s content. Direct application to occupational therapy practice is provided. The message of this capstone is implemented through continuing education opportunities with two community-based groups. The content of these presentations is detailed in personal reflections provided by the author.
