Autism and Happiness: From Neurodiversity to Neuroharmony

Here are my notes from one of the sessions at the Converge Autism Summit. This presentation was: Autism and Happiness: From Neurodiversity to Neuroharmony by Peter Vermeulen (founder of “Autism in Context,” where autism is understood in context).

Outcome of autism in adulthood:

• Outcome is highly variable
• Diagnosis is generally stable, although autism symptoms and adaptive skills often improve
• Outcome in integration and independence: +50% not good or even poor

What are the criteria?

• Employment
• relationships/friends
• Health
• Cognitive functioning
• Living situations
• Autism symptoms

Shortcoming of outcome studies: Objective criteria don’t say much about quality of life.

Measuring outcome in autism - objective criteria (societal norms) plus subjective criteria (wellbeing)

And when we focus on well‐being:

• then it is from a negative side: focus on the lack of well‐being: Co‐morbidity
• Mental health issues: anxiety, depression
• All kinds of measurements and questionnaires have been developed to measure negative feelings in autistic people

Happiness - pleasant life vs. meaningful life

Pleasant life:

• Positive feelings
• Joy - pleasure
• Absence of pain
• Safety
• Activities you like

Meaningful life:

• Contentment
• Purpose in life
• Personal growth
• Serving others
• Life satisfaction

Focus on (emotional) wellbeing, but:

• Avoid forcing a person with ASD into neurotypical concepts of happiness
• Avoid forcing a person with ASD into stereotyped ideas about autism
• So, ask people and do a well‐being assessment – Find out what makes people feel good
• – Assessment of interests

Assessment of Sensory Preferences - don’t make assumptions.

Talent scouting: The success stories in autism like Temple Grandin, show that focusing on strengths and interests leads to a more happy and successful life with autism

Quality of Life (QoL) - no link between IQ and Severity

This is how many think it works:
Less autistic → more well being
This it works like this:
More well being → less autistic

Happier people are more successful in life.

Why focus on happiness and wellbeing?

Because happy autistic people will have better outcomes in:

• Employment
• relationships/friends
• Health
• Cognitive functioning
• Living situations
• Autism symptoms

H.A.P.P.Y - Happiness in Autism Personal Project for Young people

www.petervermeulen.be