"When you say positive psychology in the context of autism, what comes to mind immediately is the image of people with autism thriving and flourishing, and moving beyond surviving. It boils down to that! We need to see real solutions that help autistics achieve a quality of life that goes beyond mere existence." - Hari Srinivasan 

Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

When basic social inclusion is a non-starter, what kind of thriving and flourishing are we talking about.

"Positive psychology must also recognize the needs of the most marginalized in the autism community, such as those with high support needs who face significant communication, health, and behavioral challenges. Even basic social inclusion is a non-starter for a good chunk of such autistics. For instance, parents of neurotypical children might have concerns about their children around an autistic child who may be aggressive or have self-injurious behaviors. Another example is a young adult I know who is homebound, with a worker who comes once a week and sits outside the house so that the parent can run errands. Such autistics are excluded even from segregated adult day programs meant for autistics. So, what kind of thriving and flourishing of autistics are we talking about here?" - Hari Srinivasan 

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

Neurotypical standards of Happiness

 "Danger of misunderstanding and misrepresenting the autistic community, with interventions possibly imposing neurotypical standards of happiness that feel inauthentic or unrelatable." - Hari Srinivasan 

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

High Cost of Positive Psychology Services is a Barrier.

"Integrating Autism and the Positive Psychology fields faces significant barriers, starting with the high cost of therapy, which automatically makes it inaccessible to a large portion of autistics and their families. Being autistic already comes with a big financial cost." - Hari Srinivasan 

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

 

Thriving and Flourishing.

 “Positive psychology in the context of autism… is people with autism thriving and flourishing, and moving beyond surviving." - Hari Srinivasan

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

How Your Posture Can Influence Your Emotions - Tips for Autistics

 

How Your Posture Can Influence Your Emotions -  Tips for Autistics

Did you know that the way you sit or stand can impact how you feel? Research by Peper and Lin (2012) has shown that adopting certain body positions can significantly influence your emotional state. For example, sitting upright can boost your mood and energy levels, while slouching can make you feel more down or even depressed.

Why This Matters for Autistics

For many autistics, understanding and managing emotions can be a unique challenge. However, becoming aware of how body posture affects feelings can be a simple yet effective tool for emotional regulation.

Here’s how posture can help:

• Boost Mood: Standing or sitting up straight can naturally elevate your mood and increase your energy levels.
• Manage Emotions: When feeling anxious or low, adjusting your posture to a more upright position can help improve your emotional state.
• Easy to Implement: This strategy doesn’t require any special equipment or training. Just being mindful of your posture can make a difference!

Quick Tips to Try:

• Check Your Posture: Throughout the day, notice if you’re slouching. Straighten up to see if it changes how you feel.
• Practice Mindfulness: Engage in activities like stretching or gentle yoga to improve body awareness and posture.
• Encourage Awareness: Have people around you check in on you and perhaps gently remind you about posture as a tool for emotional management. 

By paying attention to your body position, you can take control of your emotional well-being in a simple and effective way. Give it a try and see how a small change in posture can make a big difference!

Peper, E., & Lin, I. (2012). Increase or decrease depression: How body postures influence your energy level. Biofeedback, 40(3), 125-130.- They found that an upright posture can promote a more positive mood and energy levels, while a slumped posture can lead to increased feelings of depression.

Resilience Mindset

If you fail, don't give up! Remember..

FAIL means First Attempt In Learning.  Each failure is a step towards mastery. Keep trying.

END means Effort Never Dies. Persistence is key to success, so keep working hard. 

If someone says NO, think of it as the Next Opportunity. Explore new avenues and ideas. 

This way of thinking is called the Resilience Mindset. 

We can transform obstacles into opportunities for growth and discovery, highlighting the importance of persistence and determination in forging ahead.

A resilience mindset helps you stay positive and keep going, even when things are tough. Change your mindset and see failure as a chance to learn and grow.