Applying the Lens of Ambiguous Loss to Support Families of Children with Disabilities

This session will explore the experiences of families of children with disabilities through the
lens of Dr. Pauline Boss’s Theory of Ambiguous Loss. We will provide a brief overview of
Ambiguous Loss theory and discuss its relevance for families of children with diverse
developmental disabilities.

Next, we will describe factors that support resilient family systems
within the context of Ambiguous Loss.

These include:

1) adjusting sense of mastery and control,

2) embracing paradox and acknowledging conflicting emotions, 3) creating meaning
and revised identities, and 4) building community and advocacy. We will analyze several
therapeutic approaches that can be used to help families develop these protective factors.

Participants will be able to:
1. Apply Dr. Pauline Boss’s Theory of Ambiguous Loss to help parents who have children with
disabilities explore their unresolved feelings and work towards reconstructing their
identities and relationships.
2. Evaluate various therapeutic interventions to determine whether they are likely to help
foster resilient family systems, within the context of Ambiguous Loss