Grief is a deep, raw human experience, as natural as the seasons changing. And just like us all, children and people with intellectual disabilities face the pain of loss. Though they might not always find the words to tell us, they feel that ache in their hearts just as profoundly.

One of the most fundamental changes I experienced during my years in the wild was my shifting perception of time. Time was measured by the changing light, how hot the fire had gotten, and how hungry I was or wasn't. Little in my life had prepared me to manage time by these cues. I had learned to read face-clocks but failed to anticipate how much earlier the sun sets in a wooded valley than on a ridge. I was forever getting lost and cooking dinner in the dark.

Joint attention is one of the earliest social skills children use and emerges at around 9 months old. New parents might be surprised by how often typically developing children point and initiate moments of shared enjoyment. They bring their parents objects or bang on their high chair to get their parents' attention. These skills emerge so early in life that we once believed they were automatic, like breathing. In fact, joint attention skills they can be taught and it is crucial that we do.

Rituals serve as powerful tools in holistic healthcare, even when called upon to address ritualistic behaviors. By understanding the underlying need for structure and predictability, we can strategically employ rituals to introduce flexibility, replace maladaptive patterns, and imbue even the most mundane tasks with meaning.