Integrating positive psychology and autism: A roundtable discussion

A new Roundtable Discussion in the journal Autism in Adulthood explores how the two fields of positive psychology and autism might integrate and benefit each other, and the autism community at large.

The Roundtable was co-moderated by Patricia Wright, Ph.D., MPH who is the Executive Director of Proof Positive: Autism Wellbeing Alliance, an organization committed to integrating autism services and the field of positive psychology and Rachel Moseley, Ph.D., from Bournemouth University. Expert panelists included Dan Tomasulo, Ph.D., from Teachers College, Columbia University; Hari Srinivasan, a Ph.D. neuroscience student at Vanderbilt University; Jodie Wilson, BVSc, MAPP, from Latrobe University; Sara Woods, Ph.D., University of Washington; and Tayyab Rashid, Ph.D., a licensed clinical and school psychologist in Toronto.

Positive psychology helps answer the question "What makes life worth living?" In addition to alleviating suffering, it is important to provide the tools to enhance elements of positive emotions: cultivating relationships, learning how to engage and have a meaningful life with accomplishments. Positive psychology can benefit the autism community by understanding strengths and how to use them. Appreciating character strengths can impact interpersonal dynamics, communication dynamics, and the framework through which a person responds.

Rather than solely addressing deficits, positive psychology adjusts, enhances, and amplifies strengths. It provides the tools, techniques, and processes to adapt to those strengths.

More information:
Patricia Wright et al, Integrating Positive Psychology and Autism: A Roundtable, Autism in Adulthood (2024). DOI: 10.1089/aut.2024.38246.pw

Provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc