Autism and happiness: from neurodiversity to neuroharmony

Description

With more than 10 scientific articles per day, autism is just about the most studied condition in the world. However, all the research and all the information about how different, specific and unique autism is, has made us forget that people with autism are not only different, but that they share more than we think with all the other people, especially when it comes to basic needs such as autonomy and well-being. Accepting neurodiversity is fine, but it emphasizes the differences between people. We should also focus on what connects people with autism with the rest of the human species: the pursuit of happiness.

Happiness has received little attention in the field of autism spectrum disorders. And when the focus is on well-being, it is often from a negative perspective, namely the lack of well-being in autism. It is time to take a U-turn in our approach and change from an exclusive focus on what makes autism so different and from a negative approach of happiness in people with autism towards a shared and positive focus (we all want to be happy). In other words: let’s move from neurodiversity to neuroharmony.

In the presentation we will explore several practical strategies to nurture the well-being of autistic children, youngsters and adults, in schools, at work, at home in the family. We will talk about having a positive focus and promoting positive feelings but also about life satisfaction and contentment as main sources of emotional well-being. And we will illustrate this with the story of Thijs, a boy we diagnosed back in the eighties and now a happy adult. His story will show how we can move from neurodiversity to neuroharmony, an inclusive world where autistic and non-autistic people are living in harmony.

Content of the course:
– Outcomes of autism in adulthood: what are the criteria for Quality of Life and what are the goals of autism interventions
– More than objective Quality of Life: the importance of subjective Quality of Life
– Autistic people have the same universal needs
– From a deficit and problem focused approach towards a need and solution focused approach
– Assessing well-being in autism: different strategies
– Adressing well-being in autism: different strategies
– Short introduction to H.A.P.P.Y.: Happiness in Autism Personal Project for Young (1-99 yrs) people