There’s a deeply ingrained belief in our society, rarely said aloud but often reinforced, that autistic people can’t be happy. It shows up in lowered expectations, social exclusion, and systems that treat disability as a barrier to flourishing. This message is at the core of stigma, and it’s a narrative that must change.
In my work integrating Positive Psychology and autism intervention, I’ve shifted the question from “What’s right and how do we enhance it?” to “What if happiness was accessible to everyone?” Wellbeing is a right, not a privilege. For people on the autism spectrum, achieving acceptable wellbeing outcomes is harder than many realize. The emotional toll of stigma, isolation, and low expectations too often goes unacknowledged in systems focused only on correcting weaknesses and treating symptoms.
Stigma tends to show up in two ways. First, it limits opportunity because when someone is assumed to be incapable, they’re rarely given the chance to try. Second, it suggests that joy and disability can’t coexist. The assumption that autistic individuals are too different to live fulfilling, connected lives is both harmful and false.
After more than two decades working alongside autistic individuals, their families, and training service providers, I see something very different. I see strength. I see purpose. I see creativity, humor, and love. I see people with the capacity to thrive if we just believe that it’s possible.
Using the science of positive psychology helps people tap into their strengths, experience positive emotions, find joy in the things they love, and develop tools to enhance wellbeing. The intent isn’t to change who someone is. Instead, it helps people grow, connect, and find meaning in their lives. That shift from deficit to potential creates hope. As simple as it sounds, it can be life-changing.
One of the things I hear most often from families is that our work feels like a breath of fresh air. Many autistic individuals and their families have been told, directly or indirectly, to give up on big things like college, independence, and marriage. Over time, they start to absorb those messages, expectations get lowered, and opportunities disappear before they even come to life.
But in the 25 years of my career, I’ve never met a parent who gave up on their child’s happiness. Our work begins with the belief that flourishing (even with autism) is possible. We’ve equipped people with the tools to help them experience it.
I think a lot about what happens when people actually see someone thriving. It disrupts stigma in real-time. That belief is what brought Proof Positive to life. Josh and Christina Kulkin, like many parents, were navigating the fear and uncertainty that can come with an autism diagnosis, trying everything they could to support their son, Dylan. At first glance, Dylan’s story might sound familiar, but his journey took an extraordinary turn not because of breakthrough therapy or a new school but because happiness became the goal.
What followed was a combination of science and compassion. Dylan’s transformation challenged the idea of what’s possible in autism intervention when happiness is no longer an afterthought but the starting point. His story doesn’t erase the hard days; those still exist, but it offers a glimpse into what can happen when we center happiness. People often describe feeling drawn to Dylan because he exudes joy that invites others in, and that sense of connection reminds us what’s possible.
This is why positive psychology – the science of happiness and flourishing – matters. The PERMA Theory of Wellbeing and positive interventions like gratitude practices and character strengths-spotting are grounded in decades of research. They offer practical tools for cultivating joy and provide the language we need to promote inclusion, connection, and authentic self-expression. These approaches help dismantle the narrative that autistic individuals can’t live full, rich lives.
For those looking to explore further, the organization I founded, Proof Positive, offers resources, including a video series and downloadable guides that introduce the science behind the skills of happiness. The goal is to make evidence-based practices accessible and adaptable for autistic individuals and their communities.
Stigma shrinks people. Happiness expands them. Everyone, including autistic individuals, deserves the chance to grow into the fullest version of themselves. The most important thing is that we keep learning and keep believing that autistic people deserve more than acceptance. They deserve the chance to flourish.
Katie Curran, MAPP, is the Chief Wellbeing Officer of Proof Positive, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading the science and skills of happiness for individuals with autism and their communities. With over two decades of experience, Katie has developed pioneering programs that integrate Positive Psychology with Applied Behavior Analysis to support strengths-based growth and human flourishing. She also serves as a primary instructor with the University of Pennsylvania’s Master Resilience Training team. Katie holds a Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors from Towson University in 2004. With her love for lifelong learning, Katie is pursuing a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.
Learn more at www.proofpositive.org or contact info@proofpositive.org.
