As summer winds down and we step into fall, we’re reflecting on our summer and the amazing connections we made! Here are a few things that helped make our summer so special:
Connecting with our Alliance: Our Third Annual Learning Institute
In July, professionals from across the country joined Proof Positive’s Third Annual Learning Institute, a three-day deep dive into one big idea: flourishing with autism is possible.
Together, we practiced wellbeing, explored key Shifts from functioning to flourishing, and built a community rooted in shared language and purpose. One takeaway was clear: stories matter. It was incredible to hear the impact positive psychology skills are making with our partners and their communities. Changing the narrative of autism is key to creating systems where autistic individuals can truly thrive.
Connecting through A New Happiness Skill: Nature Prescriptions Are Here
This summer, we published Nature Prescriptions, a set of inclusive, print-and-go activities designed for summer programs, extended learning and wrap-ups. These resources help to boost mental health through intentional time in nature. Grounded in science, this wellbeing skill encourages people to spend at least 120 minutes outdoors each week.
Connecting with the Autism Community through Social Media: Instagram Wellbeing Advocates
This summer, we teamed up with wellbeing advocates and influencers to spread the word about the power of practicing happiness skills. Trevor Carroll put Nature Prescriptions into action and shared the peace that connecting with nature brings to him, as well as his perspective on how Proof Positive’s science-based skills have helped him and can help others. Eva Erickson shared her thoughts on how movement through hockey has enhanced her wellbeing with joy and connections with others. And Britini D’Angelo helped us connect with and support educators with Classroom Happiness Bundles and gift certificates to help them bring the skills of happiness to their students. These influencers’ stories and tips inspired thousands of followers to try simple, science-backed actions that can boost mood and wellbeing every day.
Connections through our Alliance: Skills in Action!
From teaching about positive emotions to focusing on connection and relationships, our alliance members helped make this summer a season of activation and community connection. For one autistic individual, learning to measure their PERMA+ and practicing Jolts of Joy resulted in a shift from statements of self-harm to exclaiming, “I think I am experiencing joy!” A group of clinicians, shifting from what isn’t working to what is possible, resulted in the transition of several individuals from a 1:1 learning environment into a group setting. With this simple positive shift, they saw “pure happiness” as individuals experienced success while spending time with peers, building and strengthening relationships. Finally, a service provider reported feeling joy after implementing PERMA+ snapshot into their client sessions, noting that it was eye-opening to see how adding this simple skill led to higher engagement. It’s inspiring to see our work in alliance put the Skills of Happiness into action.
Building on our Connections: Looking Ahead:
And, we’re just getting started! Fall brings even more resources, activities, and opportunities to increase the wellbeing of the autism community together.
