Archives: Impact Stories

Empowering Abilities:  Easterseals Southern California’s Strengths-Based Approach

Jessica Miller is the Vice President of Therapy Services at Easterseals Southern California, where she empowers individuals with disabilities to be full and equal participants in society through comprehensive programs and advocacy initiatives. Easterseals Southern California is part of Proof Positive’s Autism Wellbeing Alliance, a community dedicated to enhancing wellbeing outcomes for autistic people, providers,…

It’s World Meditation Day! Here’s How We’re Practicing Mindfulness

Each year on May 21st, we celebrate World Meditation Day, a global celebration dedicated to promoting the practice and benefits of meditation. This day reminds us how mindfulness can positively impact our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. By incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines, all of us, including the autism community, can experience greater balance…

Remotely Supporting Community Members with the PERMA+ Snapshot

Taylor Aukes is the Community Service Director at Balance Autism in Altoona, Iowa. Rooted in the farms of Iowa, Balance Autism is a leading autism service organization, providing a balance of innovative therapy and passionate care to autistics of all ages. Balance Autism is part of Proof Positive’s Autism Wellbeing Alliance, a community dedicated to…

A Wellbeing Journey That Starts with Yourself

Dianne Malley is the Director of Community Impact and Jessica Sances is the Assistant Director of Program Development and Evaluation of the Transition Pathways program at AJ Drexel Autism Institute, an autism-focused unit that is part of Drexel University. Transition Pathways convenes partnerships with schools, organizations, businesses and community stakeholders to develop innovative approaches to…

Enhancing Wellbeing in Autism Education at The Cove School

Theresa Hill is a social worker, and Jamie Edelstein is an elementary classroom teacher at The Cove School in Northbrook, Illinois. There, they believe that every student, given the appropriate amount of support, accommodations, and time, has the potential to learn, grow and flourish. Using a comprehensive, individualized approach to learning, Cove provides integrated specialized…

Positive Psychology Skills for Improved Culture in Your Organization

Paige Raetz is the Senior Director of Client Experience, and Bethany Chadd is the Clinical Director for Southwest Autism Resource and Research Center (SARRC), where they’re integrating the skills of happiness into their work lives, from meetings to seeking daily moments of joy. SARRC is part of Proof Positive’s Autism Wellbeing Alliance, a community dedicated…

Integrating the Skills of Happiness Into Special Education

Angela Rodriguez, M.A. BCBA, is the Associate Executive Director of EPIC School in Paramus, New Jersey. Jaqueline (Jackie) Saraf is a senior staff member—a special education teacher with over 10 years of experience. The EPIC School relies on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to provide autistic students and their families with the most…

Integrating Happiness: A Vital Component in Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Services

Wendy White is an Autism Clinical Specialist at Redwood Coast Regional Center in Eureka, California. Redwood Coast Regional Center collaborates and consults with social service agencies, and White’s job includes supporting clients who may need behavioral support. Redwood Coast Regional Center is part of Proof Positive’s Autism Wellbeing Alliance, a community dedicated to enhancing wellbeing…

Scaling Wellbeing for Autism Education Through Positive Psychology

Peggy Chapman is the director at YALE School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she spearheads program development and special projects for multiple campuses. YALE School has 12 locations that provide educational programs for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. YALE School is part of Proof Positive’s Autism Wellbeing Alliance, a community dedicated to…

What Happens When Wellbeing is at the Forefront for Autism Service Providers 

Through Proof Positive, I learned autism service providers, like myself, can use the  PERMA+ Snapshot tool (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Mattering, Accomplishment, and +Health) to support clients with goal setting and to determine what we need to be happy. With awareness of these topics, we can determine what’s missing and work to remedy that. Proof…