"Mental health is fundamental to quality of life, even for those with higher support needs. The misconception that such individuals do not experience mental health issues is not only incorrect but harmful. We need interventions that are accessible and inclusive across the spectrum." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
"There’s a danger in misunderstanding and misrepresenting the autistic community, with interventions possibly imposing neurotypical standards of happiness that feel inauthentic or unrelatable. We must ensure that positive psychology reflects the true diversity of autistic experiences and does not oversimplify our needs." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
"Positive psychology must adopt a nuanced understanding of the diversity and complexity of autism and autistic people. The benefits of positive emotions like awe can be particularly potent for autistic well-being, but for interventions to be successful, practitioners need to be mindful of sensory sensitivities and communication differences." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
"Everyday moments of awe offer profound benefits to our mental health, enhancing personal well-being as well as a sense of belonging, at no expense. Unlike the price-gouging therapies we autistics are surrounded by since childhood, these experiences of awe are accessible and deeply meaningful." - Hari Srinivasan
Read on... https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
"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
"There is very valuable insight that can be derived from the disability justice principles of Sins Invalid. This insight is that if we find solutions for the most marginalized members of a group, the entire group benefits. Just like elevators to help wheelchair users ended up benefiting everyone. " - Hari Srinivasan
"For some autistics, we can step right into the application of positive psychology. For others, we need to be working on challenge-based solutions at the same time. It’s not a binary, either/or situation where you do one at the expense of the other." - Hari Srinivasan
Read at: https://time.com/6551520/loneliness-autism-essay/
"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
The Enhanced Perceptual Functioning (EPF) model suggests that autistic individuals often have heightened sensory abilities, allowing them to perceive finer details in their environment more acutely than neurotypical individuals. It reframes sensory sensitivities as strengths rather than deficits.
"There may be apprehensions about whether positive psychology interventions can be effectively tailored to meet the unique and varied needs of all autistic individuals, considering our diverse sensory sensitivities, communication methods, and personal preferences." - Hari Srinivasan
Article Link: https://www.psychologytoday.
The article was written by Hari Srinivasan, who is a fellow member of the College Autism Network
"Key concerns.... oversimplification of needs and the potential exclusion of those with more complex challenges when focusing solely on strengths and well-being. This approach risks neglecting the intricate support required by many on the spectrum. " - Hari Srinivasan
Autism Lexicon: Social Capital
Social capital is the value derived from social networks, relationships, and community trust that enable cooperation and support. In autism, building social capital can be challenging due to differences in communication and social interactions, but it is crucial for fostering inclusion and improving quality of life... Read More....
Seeing the World in More Detail: Enhanced Perception
Imagine walking into a busy street market. Most people see a blur of color and activity, a rush of sounds blending together—a vibrant but overwhelming scene. But for some autistics, this moment might feel different. They could notice the intricate patterns on the fabrics hanging in a shop, the slight variations in pitch from different voices, or the distinct texture of the pavement underfoot. These details pop out in a way that others might miss.
"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
"For some autistics, we can step right into the application of positive psychology. For others, we need to be working on challenge-based solutions at the same time. It’s not a binary, either/or situation where you do one at the expense of the other. " - Hari Srinivasan
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
"Accessibility and inclusivity of positive psychology interventions is limited across the spectrum, particularly for the most marginalized members… A critical misunderstanding that exemplifies these issues is the misconception that autistics with higher support needs do not experience mental health issues. This not only excludes a significant portion of the autistic population from mental health initiatives but also from the benefits that positive psychology can offer, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible practices in this field." - Hari Srinivasan
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw
