The blog post should be featured on the homepage
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…
We’re excited to introduce our new “Guide on the Side” resource, specifically designed to complement the beloved Pixar movie Inside Out in anticipation of its upcoming sequel, Inside Out 2. This resource is a curated collection of science-informed activities for you, your students, your classroom, and the broader autism community to practice skills that can…
On the eve of Pride 2024, I find myself reflecting on just how lucky I am to have lived to see awareness and some acceptance of both the LGBTQ and autism communities seep into mass culture. An Australian survey recently estimated that the overlap between LGBTQ identities and autism may be as high as 25%,…
It’s nearly premiere week for the highly anticipated movie Inside Out 2! Pixar’s 2015 animated movie Inside Out is well known and lauded for its relatable and humorous telling of young Riley’s growing-up story, specifically her many emotional responses to her experiences. Inside Out 2 continues Riley’s journey with her lively emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
This classroom favorite is back–this time with a wellbeing flair! Educators, are you looking for a fun way to help your students enhance their wellbeing? Maybe you’ve been teaching wellbeing skills like the PERMA+ Snapshot (a skill that gives a snapshot personal rating of Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Mattering, Accomplishments, and +Health)and want a way…
Written by Marisa Hamamoto It’s Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month! AANHPI Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the AANHPI community in our nation’s history, and also reflect on challenges we face, including experiences of families navigating autism within our cultures. Recent data highlights…