Calling all Autism Wellbeing Alliance members! Join our Monthly Meetup.

HAPPINESS

Spreading the Science and Skills of

We are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of autistic people and their families, providers and communities.

Join Us.

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OUR MISSION

We are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of autistic people and their families, providers and communities.

Join us.

Resources for You

Educators &
Service Providers
Make your classroom happier —
for you and your students.

Parents &
Family Members
Learn the truth about increasing happiness for your family.

Autistic
Individuals
Measure and improve your happiness with a simple survey.

Our Why

While current life course outcomes for people with autism remain less than optimal, Proof Positive believes in a better future. Everyone deserves happiness, including the autism community. Proof Positive exists to shift the narrative and champion a future where flourishing is the only acceptable outcome. The time to prioritize wellbeing is NOW.

Our How

Our approach is grounded in positive psychology — the scientific study of who we are at our best and what constitutes “the good life.” Simply put, it’s the science of happiness. Rooted in this science, Proof Positive provides evidence-informed tools and resources for the autism community to learn, practice and teach the science and skills of happiness.

Featured Skill

Play is a biologically essential part of being human. Throughout the lifespan, playfulness is linked to strengthened connection, increased positive emotions, and greater resilience and wellbeing. Play is for everyone, at every age!

Learn More

Ready-to-Go print, video and digital resources to practice and teach Permission to Play.

Download our RESOURCE BUNDLE

How is YOUR Wellbeing?

Take Our Survey

Our Work

Literacy as a Pathway to Wellbeing white paper cover

Literacy Is More Than Reading: It’s a Pathway to Wellbeing

Noah and Sebastian smile while sitting in a golf cart. Sebastian is in sunglasses, a hat, and blue sweater and Noah is in a brown t-shirt.

Thriving at Transitions: Learning from Sebastian

Paige Raetz is at the podium presenting at a professional conference.

Proof Positive on the Road: Why Professional Conferences Matter

What parents and educators are saying!

"One of the most challenging parts of teaching ASD students is creating all the materials and resources needed. It is incredibly time consuming. And having the templates already created to work with makes ALL the difference."

— Jill, Educator —

"Access to the skills is free on Proof Positive's website, and it's easy for others to check out for themselves. We are just getting started and already experiencing the impact of prioritizing wellbeing at SARRC. "

— Bethany, Behavior Analyst —

"The partnership with Proof Positive has been instrumental in promoting wellbeing for the professionals working in our crisis services. Professionals who feel supported and valued are more likely to perform at their best, foster a positive work environment, and provide high-quality care to clients."

— Rick, Psychologist —

"Proof Positive is so important because they bring a science-based, fresh perspective on how to do this for both the staff and students. I can implement all the behavior analytic interventions in the world, but it’s not going to bring to our students what partnering with Proof Positive has brought to our students."

— Peter, School Administrator —

"Spreading the science-based skills of happiness is essential as we move toward person-centered teaching."

— Angela, Educator —

"Systematically implementing Proof Positive’s wellbeing skills is having a positive effect on the culture of our entire school."

— Peggy, School Administrator —

"Easterseals Southern California’s partnership with Proof Positive has been vital in applying the principles of positive psychology to create meaningful impact. This collaboration supports the development of strengths-based approaches that empower individuals and communities to thrive."

— Jessica, Speech Language Pathologist —

"Many times happiness is overlooked and not really thought about with our students. Often there is an agenda to just teach and teach and teach and not really think about the student as a whole. So really taking the time to think about happiness in that student as a whole becomes an important aspect to developing a student that is well rounded."

— Angela, Educator —

"Burnout in this field is a thing. And proof positive helps staff look at what they're grateful for, highlight strengths and have a positive approach to each day."

— Jeremy, Educator —

"Many times we think of the deficit instead of looking at the positive in students and that's where positive psychology comes in. Look at what they can do, not what they can’t do. I already see such a difference in what we've incorporated through Proof Positive – people are truly trying to engage with each other."

— Erin, School Nurse —

"Resilience is the superpower that allows us to cope, flex, and love our kids through the hardest moments, all while enabling us to be present and supportive on the happiest days. Positive psychology has helped our entire family-including our son, learn how to nurture this skill, and we are better humans because of it."

— Maria, Parent —

"Proof positive is so important because they bring a science based, fresh perspective on how to do this for both staff and students. If we keep the vision of [wellbeing for all] there’s no telling where we can go."

— Peter, Executive Director, EPIC School —

"We used to believe that when our son was successful, he would find happiness. But the harder we worked toward reaching the traditional goalposts of autism treatment, the further away both of those things felt. When we began incorporating positive psychology, everything shifted. His skill acquisition skyrocketed, and even more importantly, so did his self-esteem. We had it backwards--when our son found happiness, success followed."

— Christina, Parent —

"What proof positive is doing to help support the staff is really shedding light on the importance of happiness in what we do. It shows our staff that we can teach our students and give them these tools to be able to live the good life."

— Angela, Educator —

"Learning the skills of happiness made my whole life better."

— Sebastian —

"I’m so excited … happy me journal."

— Dylan —