I loved being a high school teacher. Early in my career, I spent several years teaching in autism support classrooms in Northern California. It was a gift to see my students emerge from puberty and move on toward meaningful adult lives. I witnessed their tremendous growth from when they joined me in grade nine at…
When I was young, I was a kick. I was known for making people laugh. I could often be seen writing “smile” on the whiteboard in each of my classes. I wore a tie-dye floppy hat that made people laugh. I enjoyed seeing people smile. I skipped, laughed, sang, and danced through my preteen and…
“For me, leading with positivity and seeking out joy comes from an understanding that it is certain there will be bad times, and so I must seek out the good times.” – Lily Newton At Proof Positive, we believe intentionally creating and embracing moments of joy is a skill that can be learned and practiced.…
Happy Movement Monday! Movement for Happiness is a wellbeing skill that encourages us to find ways to move our bodies in ways that bring us joy. Each Monday, we’re highlighting stories of autistic people and what type(s) of movement bring them joy. Meet Lily, a content creator, autistic advocate, and co-host of the Easterseals podcast…
It’s a Saturday afternoon and my best friends and I are hitting uncharted levels of merriment as we build our first Dungeons & Dragons campaign together. We’re a group of neurodivergent creatives, so world building together feels like letting each other in on the secrets of how we think. Around the time I start squealing…
Remember Justin and Ryan, the brothers with autism who are Disney experts? We chatted with them and their mom, Theresa, to gather their thoughts on Inside Out 2 and Proof Positive’s Movie Guide on the Side. Watch their video to see how they liked Inside Out 2! Justin and Ryan told us they still have…
Disney movies have long been a source of joy and inspiration for many, but for families navigating the world of autism, these beloved films can be much more—they can be a bridge to understanding and connection. Theresa Forthofer shared how Disney has played a pivotal role in her family’s wellbeing, particularly for her two sons,…
Ryan, 31, and Justin, 24, are brothers with autism, avid movie-watchers, and Disney experts. They know everything about Disney’s history, the origins of Mickey Mouse, and the best attractions at Disney World (they have different Disney t-shirts to go with each park they visit). In appreciation of Disney and Pixar’s movie Inside Out, Proof Positive…
The practice of mindfulness helps to calm the mind, ground the body, and keep the focus on the present. It has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, reduce challenging behavior, improve attention, boost learning and cognitive performance, strengthen emotional intelligence, foster engagement, and enhance self-regulation. Research shows that mindfulness practices can also improve the…
Maurice Snell has worked as a Development Coordinator at De La Salle Institute in Chicago, as a national spokesperson for Easterseals, and is a member of a band called The Naturals. We talked with him and his mother, Jennifer Snell, about Mother’s Day and the importance of relationships for autism wellbeing, including mother-son relationships. What…