Everyone Deserves Happiness Summit

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Katie Curran
Chief Wellbeing Officer, Proof Positive

Everyone Deserves Happiness: A Call to Build a World Where Wellbeing Wins
Happiness is not a luxury. It is not a reward for productivity, compliance, or fitting in. It is a human right—and yet millions of autistic individuals and their communities have been left out of the global happiness conversation.

In this opening session of the Everyone Deserves Happiness Summit, Katie Curran sets the vision for a new wellbeing movement—one that insists the autism community belongs at the center, not the margins. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience and the science of positive psychology, Katie reframes happiness as something that can be learned, practiced, taught, and shared—by everyone.

This talk invites participants to zoom out and imagine what becomes possible when we stop asking if autistic individuals deserve happiness and start asking how we build systems, supports, and communities that help people truly flourish. Katie will explore why wellbeing is foundational to learning, connection, resilience, and meaningful life outcomes—and why now is the moment for a collective shift toward strengths, joy, and hope.

More than an introduction, this session is a call to action: to join a growing movement committed to creating a world where wellbeing wins—for autistic individuals, their families, providers, and communities everywhere.

Katie Curran believes in a world where wellbeing wins for everyone and she’s making it happen with joy, creativity, and purpose. As co-founder and Chief Wellbeing Officer at Proof Positive, she brings over 20 years of clinical experience and a fierce commitment to blending Positive Psychology with Applied Behavior Analysis to improve the lives of autistic individuals and their communities. Her career spans top behavioral institutions, global resilience training through UPenn, and leadership roles in autism and education networks. Always curious and driven by love, Katie continues to learn, teach, and lead with one goal: helping people flourish.

Caren Zucker
Journalist, Producer and Director

Storytelling to Motivate Social Change
Join us in an interactive conversation with one of the most magical storytellers in the autism community. This presentation will explore the power of storytelling as a catalyst for motivating social change. Caren Zucker will share real-world examples to demonstrate how authentic narratives can shift perceptions, build empathy, and inspire collective action. The session emphasizes storytelling as both a communication tool and a vehicle for cultural and systemic transformation.

Caren Zucker is a director, producer and journalist, has travelled the world and told stories for more than 25 years across a broad range of subjects. Zucker left behind daily journalism working for the flagship broadcast on ABC News, and NIGHTLINE to transition into writing and documentary filmmaking.

Her work has focused on the needs, challenges and gifts of autistic people, a commitment that began with the autism diagnosis of her oldest child, Mickey. Her narrative account of autism as a diagnosis (co-authored with ABC News journalist John Donvan) was a New York Times bestseller, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in general non-fiction. Titled “In A Different Key,” it was the inspiration for Zucker and Donvan’s documentary film of the same name. Broadcasted on PBS, the film was critically acclaimed, and was honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.

Taylor Aukes
Community Service Director

Leveraging Tech to Promote Wellbeing in Community Living Environments
SmartLiving is a new way to deliver services by leveraging technology to remotely support individuals. While technology opens many doors, connections become increasingly difficult to build and maintain via a screen. Drawing on both lived experience and academic research, this session examines barriers, gaps, and validating practices encountered by autistic people when navigating independent living and how wellbeing creates a connection and framework for individuals to achieve their goals. This session will address some of these issues facing individuals by combining creative technology solutions and targeted supports to individual wellbeing. Attendees will gain practical insights to better support autistic and neurodivergent individuals in accessing independence, integrating into their communities and promoting wellbeing by way of technology.

Mr. Aukes began his career at Balance Autism as an ABA Specialist, delivering specialized clinical services, before advancing to the role of ACS Managing Program Coordinator. In November 2021, Taylor transitioned into their current role as Community Services Director, where they oversee and lead community-based services. Taylor Aukes earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Modern Language and Communication Studies from Minesota State University, Mankato.

Peter Gerhardt, Executive Director, EPIC
Angela Rodriguez, Clinical Coordinator, EPIC

Wellbeing Across the Lifespan
Effective intervention has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life and well-being of autistic adults, yet this potential is not fully realized. Achieving meaningful, positive outcomes may require shifting focus from technically precise, classroom-based interventions to community-based approaches that support socially valid and personally meaningful goals. This session will explore key areas where such a shift can maximize well-being and highlight strategies to improve autonomy, social connection, and overall life satisfaction, and discuss the importance of aligning interventions with the values and priorities of autistic adults.

Dr. Peter Gerhardt has more than 35 years of experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in educational, employment, residential and community-based settings. He is the author or co-author on a number of articles and chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with ASD and has presented nationally and internationally on this topic. Dr. Gerhardt serves as Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research and is on numerous professional advisory boards including the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He received his doctorate from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey’s Graduate School of Education.

Angela Rodriguez is the Clinical Coordinator of the EPIC school in Paramus, NJ. She is a Certified Teacher and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with more than 20 years’ experience applying the Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with individuals with autism of all ages. In addition to working for multiple private schools and outreach programs throughout New Jersey, she has also co-authored a book chapter and published research in The Behavior Analyst in Practice. Angela has presented at numerous conventions, including Applied Behavior Analysis International, on topics focusing on teaching applied skills to school-aged students that foster independence in adulthood.

Jiedi Lei
Clinical Research Fellow, University of Oxford

Strengths and Autism
This presentation examines the use of Character Strengths as an inclusive, strengths-based approach to support neurodivergent individuals from diverse backgrounds and ability levels. Participants will learn how identifying strengths aligned with personal values and identity can empower neurodivergent people to take meaningful action and flourish in everyday life. The session also explores how Character Strengths can drive systems-level change by reshaping family and healthcare professionals’ perspectives. Practical strategies will be shared for creating supportive environments that enable authentic strengths use, enhance self-esteem, foster positive identity development, and protect against mental health challenges.

Jiedi Lei is a clinical psychologist and research fellow at the University of Oxford. In her research, she adopts a developmental and mechanistic approach when working with autistic children and young people (CYP), to understand the underlying cognitive, social, and environmental factors that influence individual’s mental wellbeing through childhood and adolescence. As a scientist-practitioner, she focuses on translating research to: 1. Better inform and adapt existing evidence-based interventions for autistic CYP. 2. Develop novel interventions or programmes to make a difference to their quality of life. She is particularly keen to adopt a person-centred and strength-based approach to enable autistic CYP to build a positive autism and self-identity, and to develop and validate novel assessment tools to improve the formulation and identification of treatment targets for mental health interventions for this clinical population.

Denise Resnik
Founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ & First Place Global

Designing Spaces for Flourishing
This session provides insights into designing spaces that promote flourishing, drawing from the pioneering work at First Place-Phoenix in Arizona. The presentation explores how intentional, inclusive design can foster independence, belonging, and well-being for neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities. Attendees will gain practical principles for creating environments that support dignity, community connection, and lifelong flourishing.

Denise Resnik is the founder and president/CEO of First Place AZ, co-founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, and founder and CEO of DRA Collective, a marketing and communications firm serving diverse industries. She serves on multiple advisory and foundation boards, including those at Arizona State University and Creighton University, and has held national leadership roles advancing housing, transition, and services for adults with autism. Denise has also served as a federally appointed member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee at the National Institutes of Health. A graduate of Arizona State University, Denise is inspired in her work by her adult son Matt, who has autism, and others with disabilities.

Jessica Burylo
Doctoral Student, University of Alberta

What’s Our Worth?: Autistic Joy as Interruptive Agency
This session explores autistic joy as a powerful form of agency and resistance within systems that have historically marginalized autistic people. Grounded in recent research on autistic identity and joy, the presentation reframes wellbeing beyond deficit-based models to center autonomy, meaning, and lived experience. Attendees will be introduced to practical lenses for recognizing autistic joy, including valuing the often-invisible labor of self-regulation and adaptation. The session also identifies environmental and relational conditions that support agency, belonging, and sustainable wellbeing for autistic individuals. Participants will leave with actionable insights to foster more affirming, joy-centered practices in research, services, and everyday life.

Jessica Burylo is the Regional Outreach Coordinator for Elections Canada, working with communities nationwide and across the disability sector to make federal elections more accessible and barrier-free. She supports organizations, advocates, and electors in understanding accessible voting tools, employment opportunities at the polls, and ways to participate in Canada’s democratic process. Jessica is also an Autistic self-advocate and a doctoral student at the University of Alberta, where her research focuses on Autistic identity and joy, and she contributes to Accessibility Standards Canada in developing federal accessibility standards. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys exploring the Canadian Rockies and immersing herself in books and video games.

Rick Gutierrez
CEO, Behavior Analysts International

Thriving in Crisis
Mental health challenges and loneliness are increasing worldwide, with emerging research showing disproportionate impacts on individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as their caregivers. One of the most challenging issues for educators and providers is addressing clients in crisis. This presentation addresses the need for effective crisis management that includes well-being practices. Systematically teaching and reinforcing behaviors such as gratitude and kindness, and promoting meaningful engagement. Using a behavior-analytic framework, the session offers practical, measurable strategies to support resilience, practitioner well-being, and sustainable individual and organizational health.

Dr. Rick Gutierrez is the Founder and CEO of Behavior Analysts International, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a Licensed Psychologist in California, with a doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. He has delivered workshops and provided consultation on Applied Behavior Analysis across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America, supporting clinics serving individuals with developmental disabilities worldwide. His expertise includes staff training, employee engagement and retention, autism and developmental disability treatment, emotional intelligence training, and published research on verbal behavior.

Hari Srinivasan
PhD Candidate, Vanderbilt University

The Shape of Meaning: Awe and Autistic Wellbeing
Conversations about happiness and wellbeing often focus on positive feelings and measurable outcomes, which can overlook how meaning is actually experienced across neurodivergent lives. This talk explores awe as a powerful emotion that reshapes attention, time perception, and meaning—not just mood. Building on my research on awe as a UC Berkeley Haas Scholar, conducted under the mentorship of Dacher Keltner, the session weaves together theory, empirical insights, and lived experience to examine how awe is accessed and organized in autistic lives. Rather than being absent or diminished, awe often emerges through conceptual depth, sensory patterns, and engagement with systems rather than social spectacle. The talk concludes by reflecting on what a more inclusive, meaning-centered approach to happiness might look like.

Hari Srinivasan is a neuroscience PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University whose work sits at the intersection of brain science, disability, and public policy. A graduate of UC Berkeley, he studies sensorimotor systems in autism, building on earlier research exploring awe and empathy in autistics. A recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship and the Berkeley Haas Fellowship, Srinivasan is equally engaged beyond the lab. His work examines how research methods and institutional assumptions shape whose voices are included — and excluded — in science. He has served on NIH’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, and is on nonprofit boards and other advisory bodies, helping bridge lived experience with science and policy conversations. An autistic and ADHD thought leader who navigates significant spoken communication challenges, Srinivasan brings personal insight to his scholarship and writing. His public commentary has appeared in outlets such as Time, Newsweek and Fortune. Across research, journalism, and advocacy, he focuses on expanding who gets heard, who gets represented in evidence, and how systems can be redesigned to better serve people with disabilities.

Lynn Fiellin, Professor, Department of Biomedical Data Science, Department of Medicine, and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Zack Siddeek, Disability Systems Navigation Coordinator at The Arc of King County

Gaming and Community
This session explores how gaming is a powerful tool for promoting well-being, connection, and community within the autistic community. Drawing on research and real-world examples, the presentation highlights how inclusive, well-designed gaming experiences support mental health, self-expression, and social engagement. Attendees will gain insight into how games can foster belonging, empower identity, and create accessible pathways for meaningful community building.

Dr. Lynn Fiellin is a Professor of Biomedical Data Science at Dartmouth University, and is the Founding Director of the NIH- and foundation-funded play2PREVENT Lab. Over the past 12 years, she has raised nearly $15 million to lead interdisciplinary teams developing and evaluating evidence-based digital health games addressing adolescent mental health, substance misuse, and sexual health. Her work has demonstrated significant impact using rigorous scientific methods and has resulted in more than 25 peer-reviewed publications. She is also the founder of Playbl, a spin-out company focused on scaling and distributing these effective digital health tools to improve adolescent well-being.

Zack Siddeek is an Autistic social worker and community organizer practicing in Seattle, Washington. He is passionate about increasing the representation of people with disabilities in all places that impact their lives and infusing disability justice principles wherever possible.

Jodie Wilson
Graduate Researcher

Navigating Mental Health Supports While Autistic
Drawing on both lived experience and academic research, this session examines barriers, gaps, and validating practices encountered by autistic people when seeking mental health support, alongside the impacts of late diagnosis, burnout, and disability. Attendees will gain practical insights to better support autistic and neurodivergent individuals in accessing responsive, affirming mental health care and sustaining wellbeing at work

Dr. Jodie Wilson (she/her) is a second-generation veterinarian from Queensland, Australia, and a former President and media spokesperson for the Australian Veterinary Association QLD Division, with a clinical background in emergency and critical care medicine. Following the onset of physical disability, she transitioned from clinical practice to focus on understanding human behavior and helping people thrive. A late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD individual, Jodie brings lived experience, resilience, and innovation to her award-winning career as a coach, researcher, and advocate. She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology and is currently conducting research on autism and wellbeing at La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. Jodie is an accomplished speaker, writer, and activist whose mission is to support neurodivergent people, individuals with disabilities, and their communities to move from surviving to thriving.

Jessica Miller
Vice President, Therapy Services, Easterseals Southern California

Wellbeing in the Workplace
This session explores how cultivating staff wellbeing can strengthen organizations and improve outcomes for the people they support. This session highlights the PERMA+ model, a science-based framework for promoting flourishing. Real-world strategies enhance wellbeing, including mindfulness practices, peer support, leadership coaching, and strength-based feedback, will be shared. The session will examine how investing in staff wellbeing creates a ripple effect—supporting higher-quality, consistent, and person-centered services for individuals with autism. Interactive elements will invite attendees to identify and reflect on wellbeing practices used across multiple provider settings. Designed for leaders, clinicians, and direct support professionals alike, this session equips participants with actionable ideas to embed wellbeing into everyday organizational culture.

Jessica B. Miller, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is Sr. Vice President, Provider Networks, Autism Therapy Services, for Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), which serves more than 20,000 individuals and their families with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this role, she supports approximately 100 providers within ESSC’s Provider Network who deliver speech, occupational and physical therapy services, as well as 21 providers who offer applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. The networks operate collectively to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across Southern California Miller joined the organization in 2013 and has held progressive leadership roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders from West Chester University, a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from LaSalle University, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University, earned in 2022. Her clinical background includes public schools, home health, and private practice with a focus on autism and early intervention, along with supervisory experience in a pediatric clinic.