Treating Complicated Grief in a Teenager With Autism: Comment on Zakreski (2017)

The objective of this commentary is to provide a case conceptualization framework for a challenging case involving an adolescent presenting with symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, exposure to trauma, and traumatic grief with lack of treatment response after approximately 9 months. Consideration of the multiple factors that contribute to adaptive and maladaptive responses to the loss highlights additional treatment approaches that may be helpful in challenging cases involving complex grief. Additionally, modifications to traditional cognitive–behavioral therapy-based approaches that encourage response to treatment in children with autism spectrum disorders are also discussed.