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, families, and communities.
Jessica is also a part of Proof Positive’s Learning Institute, a select group of leaders in autism services committed to implementing and spreading the science and skills of wellbeing. She leads with her top Character Strength of Honesty and authenticity in finding positive solutions for autism intervention in her work, but you’ll want to hear it from her!
Traditionally, clinical training in speech pathology and occupational therapy has centered on addressing participants’ deficits. We have been actively seeking a tangible, sustainable method to transition toward a strengths-centered approach. The evidence-informed practice of Strength Spotting (a skill that helps you name and notice character strengths in others) has helped facilitate that shift.
For Autism Acceptance Month in April, staff within Easterseals Southern California’s therapy services empowered participants, families, and associates to focus on their strengths and unique abilities. We used Character Strengths (a skill that shines a light on what’s uniquely right with you and who you are at your best) as the foundation for the activities, created a “cape-ABILITY city” within each of our therapy centers, and featured a superhero-themed strength wall.
Staff encouraged families, participants, and associates to write the strengths they see in themselves and each other on the strength wall. To inspire ideas, we asked parents, “What do you see as your child’s superpower for the world?” Easterseals associates throughout Southern California found families and caregivers radiating with pride when they were given time and space to reflect on their family members’ strengths.
Each participant decorated a cape with their unique superhero abilities brightly displayed on the back and proudly wore it for a photo opportunity in the “cape-ABILITY” city. One participant with autism loved channeling her inner superhero during therapy sessions and at home. Her caregiver shared that she would eagerly wear her superhero outfit after school every day. When she returned to Easterseals wearing her cape for her next session, she amazed everyone by signing “more” for the first time. This breakthrough in communication and confidence, stemming from her strengths, deeply touched both the clinicians and her family.
Our organization’s culture has also benefited from the science and skills of happiness. Our associates enthusiastically participate in Strength Spotting by exchanging Character Strengths pins whenever they observe someone actively using one of their strengths. For example, Wendy Cuenco, Director of the Therapy Provider Network, encouraged her team members to complete the VIA Character Strengths survey. She then crafted unique activities for each group, promoting team cohesion and highlighting the team’s diverse skill sets.
Dedicating time and space to highlighting individuals’ strengths has many benefits. Acknowledging and, more importantly, utilizing these strengths enhances confidence and competence in the workplace, resulting in increased satisfaction and improved performance. A shift to a strength-based focus has advantages for everyone regardless of diagnosis, life experience, or personal history.
It’s time to collectively change the narrative by focusing on everyone’s “cape-Abilities.”
