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April 24, 2025
Prioritize happiness and inclusion in your classroom with Proof Positive’s call to action this Autism Acceptance Month. Discover simple, science-backed strategies to boost engagement, connection, and joy for every student, neurodivergent or not.
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April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, but at Proof Positive, we believe it’s time to take the conversation further. This year, we challenge you to consider April, Autism Well-Being Month. It’s time to prioritize the well-being of autistic students and every student in your classroom. Because everyone deserves happiness.
This April, we invite you to make the well-being shift. Whether you support one autistic student or an entire classroom of neurodivergent learners, prioritizing well-being benefits everyone. And whether you know it or not, every teacher is an autism teacher. Neurodiverse students are in every school, every grade and every classroom. Prioritizing well-being isn’t just inclusive—it benefits everyone.
Whether you support one autistic student or an entire classroom of neurodivergent learners, prioritizing well-being benefits everyone.
Research shows that strategies such as incorporating movement breaks, creating joyful moments, learning how to respond to good news, and spotlighting character strengths enhance engagement, focus and well-being.
Bringing well-being to the forefront doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your classroom routine. Small, intentional shifts can make a big difference. Here are three ways to get started:
Movement is a powerful tool for emotional regulation and joy. From stretching breaks to structured activities, integrating movement into your day helps students of all abilities reset and refocus.
When students share something positive—a proud moment, a success, or good news—how we respond matters. "Showcase the Good" teaches students how to be joy multipliers by responding in ways that deepen connection and spread happiness. Based on the science of active constructive responding, this skill helps students practice leaning in, asking thoughtful questions and celebrating each other’s wins. It’s a simple but powerful way to build trust, boost well-being and create a more connected classroom community.
Every student has unique strengths that, when recognized and nurtured, can build confidence and improve well-being. Encouraging students to identify and use their character strengths—like kindness, zest and creativity—empowers them to navigate challenges and contribute positively to the classroom.
To help you make the well-being shift this Autism Acceptance Month and beyond, Proof Positive offers free, evidence-informed resources that support both autistic and neurotypical students. We hope you’ll prioritize well-being in your classroom and join us in creating a world where well-being wins for all.
This curated Share My Lesson collection features some of our favorite prek-12 lesson plans, resources and professional development webinars for working with students and colleagues in the field of special needs education.
