Gratitute can change your life!

I love this addition to our thinking about guiding  gratitude with people with autism!

THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE
By Philip Watkins, 2014

"We believe that it is because grateful recounting trains cognitive habits that in turn enhance happiness."

I personally grew up Catholic and we would say a thankful prayer to start our meals together. I am no longer a practicing Catholic, but find it very centering, calming, and collaborative to still say what we are grateful for to start our meals at home together as a family. It is a common recommendation to families with whom I work, to state 1 thing you are each grateful for today. If a person is not able to verbalize, there are other ways to help them communicate (e.g., visual supports, providing choices/options, and possibly to simply state a moment you observed them in their day being peaceful and seemingly grateful for something).

I am grateful for each of you and your mindful guidance of those with autism.

Barb Avila