056: Understanding and Helping Grieving Children with Jacey Ludlam, M.S. (Part 2)

Understanding and Helping Grieving Children with Jacey Ludlam, M.S. (Part 2) In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dr. Christina Zampitella and licensed counselor Jacey Ludlam continue exploring how grief shows up in children — and how caregivers, teachers, and clinicians can recognize the signs, respond with compassion, and support healing over time. From behavioral shifts to developmental impacts, Jacey unpacks how grief manifests across different ages — including misdiagnoses like ADHD, internalized shame, and dissociation. The episode also offers practical insights for caregivers: how to talk to kids about death, what art and play can reveal, and when it’s time to seek professional help. Whether you're a parent, therapist, or someone who supports children, this episode offers grounded, trauma-informed guidance you can use right now.   Chapters: 00:00 – Intro  01:00 – How grief shows up in children’s play, art, and behavior  03:45 – Misdiagnosis: Grief vs. ADHD  07:00 – The role of trauma in overlapping mental health conditions  10:00 – Judgment, shame & guilt in 7–9 year olds  12:00 – Using art to process grief  14:00 – Giving children safe choices when expressing emotions  17:00 – Signs of healing in grieving children  20:00 – Why grief resurfaces across developmental stages  23:00 – 3 key ways to support a grieving child  25:00 – How to answer difficult questions about death  28:00 – Age-appropriate language & metaphors  30:00 – Should kids attend funerals or viewings?  33:00 – The danger of leaving kids in the dark  36:00 – Creative expression & storytelling as tools for healing  38:00 – Why peer groups matter for grieving kids  40:00 – When is professional help necessary?  44:00 – The long-term effects of dissociation  46:00 – What happens when a child’s self-concept breaks down  47:30 – How serious illness changes a child’s understanding of death  49:00 – Closing thoughts & what’s coming next