Flourishing with autism is possible.
This is the guiding vision of Proof Positive’s Founder and Chief Wellbeing Officer, Katie Curran, MAPP. Early in her professional journey, Katie recognized the potential of intersecting the science of happiness and autism to enhance wellbeing. With now over 20 years of clinical experience working at the intersection of positive psychology and autism intervention, she wants to share this approach far and wide.
Katie’s belief that everyone deserves to flourish, including the autism community, is the founding principle of Proof Positive Autism Wellbeing Alliance. While current life course outcomes for autistic people remain less than optimal, Katie and Proof Positive believe in a better future – one where autistic people and their families, providers, and communities can thrive.
Guided by Katie’s vision, Proof Positive’s mission is to spread the science and skills of happiness to the autism community. We know that research and evidence-based practices are critical to long-term change. And, we know it takes partnership and collaboration to create a world where wellbeing wins for all.
In a Roundtable discussion, Integrating Positive Psychology and Autism, Proof Positive brought together autism and positive psychology experts to explore opportunities at this intersection, understand the barriers to cross-talk between these fields, and consider future directions in this first-of-its-kind discussion. While limited research exists at this intersection, the discussion made one thing clear: there is endless potential to merge positive psychology and autism services, supports, and research to enhance the wellbeing of the autism community.
Drawing from professional and lived experience in autism, neuroscience, clinical psychology, education, and positive psychology, the five panelists discussed the role positive psychology plays in providing a framework to shift from a deficits-model to a strengths-model in autism services, the need to bring wellbeing to the forefront of autism intervention, and the importance of expanding our understanding of flourishing to include everyone, especially autistic flourishing. Panelists also highlighted the importance of listening to and incorporating autistic voices into research and conversations, as well as the need for more accessible tools and resources so that the science and skills of happiness can reach everyone.
This is exactly why Proof Positive exists – to make the science and skills of happiness accessible to everyone, including autistic individuals. Because everyone deserves happiness.
We know this Roundtable is just the beginning. As one of our panelists, Mr. Srinivasan, so aptly quoted Robert Frost, “We have many, many, many miles to go before we sleep.” Join the Autism Wellbeing Alliance and partner with us on our journey to expand research and practice at the intersection of positive psychology and autism intervention to make happiness accessible to everyone. Together, we can create a world where wellbeing wins for all.
