Proof Positive: Autism Wellbeing Alliance

About the Organisation

Proof Positive is a national non-profit dedicated to improving the wellbeing of autistic people and their families, providers and communities. Headquartered in the United States, the organisation is also known as the Autism Wellbeing Alliance.

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Proof Positive: Autism Wellbeing Alliance

Purpose

The organisation's mission is to spread the science and skills of happiness to the autism community. Proof Positive exists to shift the narrative and champion a future where flourishing is the only acceptable outcome for autistic people. Their approach is grounded in positive psychology - the scientific study of who we are at our best and what constitutes "the good life." The organisation bridges the gap between autism intervention research and positive psychology, and plans to fund and share research at this intersection, train educators in positive psychology, and spread access to autism resources. A core belief is that wellbeing is a skill that can be learnt by everyone, including autistic individuals.

Audiences Served

The website is organised around three main audiences:

Educators and service providers: to make classrooms happier for both staff and students
Parents and family members: guidance on increasing happiness within the family
Autistic individuals: tools to measure and improve their own happiness

Resources Available on the Website

All resources are free and evidence-informed. The website is structured around a library of "Skills of Happiness," each with downloadable resource bundles for practising, teaching and sharing. The "Skills of Happiness" library currently includes:

PERMA+ Snapshot (a wellbeing self-assessment covering Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment and Health)
What Went Well (a gratitude practice)
Character Strengths (using the VIA framework)
Jolts of Joy (small actions to trigger positive emotions)
Strength Spotting
Positivity Portfolios
Showcase the Good
Gratitude Letter Writing
Movement for Happiness
Sleep for Happiness
Nature Prescriptions
Permission to Play

Each skill comes with a downloadable resource bundle that includes print, video and digital materials to practise and teach the skill. Materials are differentiated for learners of different ability levels, including individuals with profound autism, and can be adapted for individual student needs.

Additional resources and offerings include:

A wellbeing survey for autistic individuals to measure their own happiness
Live monthly support sessions for users implementing the skills
Webinars and learning events, including past sessions co-hosted with the Organisation for Autism Research (OAR)
The Learning Institute — a professional development workshop for leaders in autism services
IEP and BIP recommendations tailored to students with autism
Impact stories from partner organisations
The Autism Wellbeing Alliance: a community of partner organisations, universities and research institutes
A news/blog section covering positive psychology applications, back-to-school activities and partner case studies
Additional free resources distributed via Teachers Pay Teachers and Share My Lessons

The site also features research and science pages explaining the evidence base for positive psychology and its intersection with autism intervention, alongside information about leadership, partners (such as SARRC, Easterseals Southern California and Dartmouth's play2PREVENT Lab) and ways to get involved.

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