The Ruth Strauss Foundation is a charity dedicated to supporting families facing an incurable cancer diagnosis. On average, 127 children face the death of a parent each day (Childhood Bereavement Network, 2022). Their work includes providing emotional and psychological support to parents, as well as training and resources for professionals working with children and young people.
Programme Development
The Foundation developed Responding in the Moment, a programme that equips educators to support children and young people experiencing anticipatory grief.
While the course was already rooted in compassion and practical guidance, the Foundation wanted to ensure the training was inclusive of neurodivergent children and young people, a group whose needs are often overlooked in grief and bereavement support.
They recognised that traditional responses to grief may not always resonate with, or accommodate, neurodivergent experiences, particularly when existing models are based on neurotypical emotional expression and communication. Combined with a significant lack of research into the experiences of neurodivergent children and young people who might be faced with anticipatory grief, this was a real opportunity to make a difference.
Our Approach
Creased Puddle provided expert consultancy to ensure the Responding in the Moment training course was designed as neuroaffirming from the ground up.
We worked collaboratively with the Ruth Strauss Foundation team to:
- Review course content through a neurodiversity lens.
- Identify and challenge assumptions or stereotypes around neurodivergent behaviours.
- Ensure a strengths-based, respectful approach that recognises diverse emotional processing, communication styles and sensory needs.
- Offer practical adaptations and inclusive language to make the material accessible and meaningful to all educators.
Throughout, we focused on affirming neurodivergent identities, rather than framing support needs through a deficit-based lens.
The Outcome
The training programme aims to support educators in recognising and responding to the unique ways neurodivergent children may experience and express anticipatory grief.
By embedding neuroaffirming principles throughout, Responding in the Moment helps ensure all children and young people, regardless of neurotype, feel understood, supported and safe during a profoundly difficult time in their lives.
The training was made available to schools from September 2025.
“We know that every child experiences grief differently and deserves support tailored to their needs. Just as we personalise support for parents, we believe children’s individual circumstances and ways of processing emotions should shape how we care for them. By working with Creased Puddle, our Responding in the Moment training gives schools the confidence to adapt their approach for each child, including those who are neurodivergent. Together, we are setting a standard for inclusive practice, so every child receives the support they need when their parent is facing an incurable cancer diagnosis.” – Ines Thiru, CEO
Looking Ahead
This collaboration highlights the need for inclusive, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed training that recognises the diverse ways children and young people process grief. We’re proud to have supported the Ruth Strauss Foundation in setting a new standard for emotionally responsive and neuroaffirming school training.
Learn more about the Schools Programme: Responding in the Moment and how to get involved: www.ruthstraussfoundation.com/schools
