This presentation explores the science of positive psychology as a tool to improve the well-being of families with children with special needs. There is a central focus on gratitude and an overview of scientific findings and a practice workbook.

1. How to Use Positive Psychology to Help Your Family Thrive!
Emily Felt
PWS Support Group, San Francisco, CA
April 6, 2019

2. What brought you here today?

3. What is Positive Psychology?
“The scientific study of human flourishing or happiness” - Martin
Seligman, 1998
“Those who practice positive psychology aim to foster positive attitudes
toward experiences, individual traits and life events. The goal is
optimism towards life” (which brings physical, mental, social, spiritual
benefits)
“Even though PP offers a new approach to the study of positive
emotions, the ideals, theories and motivation for this study is as old as
humanity.”

4. Main topics of study in positive psychology
• Neuroscience - Effect and Action of positive emotions in the brain
• Psychology - Impact of positive emotions on wellbeing (and how to
create positive emotions: gratitude, forgiveness, etc.) How to
measure positive traits (character strengths) PERMA
• Healthcare - Positive interventions to promote health
• Education - Impact of strengths-based teaching on student
achievement, teaching resilience skills & self-efficacy
• Business & management - How to create engaged and productive
employees
Lots of ideas for the practical application of findings….

5. Seminal studies...
Lodewyka, M., 2016. Positive Impacts of Children with Disabilities
Crum, AJ., 2011. Mind over Milkshakes
Emmons, RA. & McCullough ME, 2003 Counting Blessings vs. Burdens
Salom, R., et.al, 2016. Traits that Inhibit Gratitude
Dutton, J. & Wrzesniewski, 2001. Success at Work Defined by Meaning
Martinez-Marti, ML & Ruch, W. 2014 Character Strengths &
Wellbeing Across the Life-span

6. Top takeaways
1. Genetics, income, race, class does not determine happiness or
life satisfaction.
2. Positive emotions broaden and negative emotions narrnow
(safety/stress)
3. Brain has a bias toward the negative, but we can “rewire”!
4. Optimism and resilience can be learned and strengthened.
5. Positive emotions, experiences and traits result in a range of
positive outcomes, good health, lower stress, life expectancy,
happiness, life satisfaction, sleep, achievement, etc.
6. We can train our brains to focus on the positive and receive
the benefits, building resilience.

7. PP Provides a Framework for Flourishing in
PWS Families
Society - School
& Engagement
Modern
Medicine - HGH
& Therapists
Food &
Environment
Management
Family
Flourishing &
Happiness

8. From Acceptance to Thriving
• Thriving
• Savoring
• Practice Positivy
(gratitude, etc.)
• Self care
• Self compassion
• Acceptance
• Grief
• Bargaining
• Anger
• Denial
E. Kubler Ross
(1926-2004) 5
Stages of Grief

9. We need to see disability in a positive way.
Overall takeaway

10. CAPP final project proposal
1. A PP-inspired toolkit for families of children with special needs,
focus on PWS.
2. Help promote positive ideas about disability & family life.
3. Educate about the science of positive psychology and how it
can help.
4. Promote positive food experiences.

11. The PP Approach to PWS: Get from
Managing to Thriving
Objectives: take a positive approach
How:
1. Learn about gratitude & impact on
the brain and body
2. Find what you’re grateful for
3. Reframe liminting and negative
beliefs about PWS
4. Intentionally practice positive
emotions around the dinner table
through habits, practices & rituals.

12. PWS Family Day Mad Lib (Practicing PP)

13. What are you taking
away from today?
Thank you!
www.foodgratitude.net
emilyfelt@berkeley.edu