Focusing on Child Strengths in Autism, with Renae Beaumont, PhD

“Focusing on Child Strengths in Autism," with Renae Beaumont, PhD and Kelly Wilson, Parent Advocate. A lively conversation with Dr. Beaumont about how, in child behavioral and developmental delay, recognizing and working with the child’s strengths can be an effective foundation for a more successful life. She describes the experiences she has had with amazing autistic kids who inspired her to make this her life’s work, and talks with us about how accommodations for kids with developmental differences can mean more than expecting them to adapt to the world around them; in many ways, the world can also benefit from adapting itself to see and celebrate the contributions of people with autism and other developmental delays. She also talks about her work with the Secret Agent Society, a therapeutic program for boosting emotion-regulation and social connectedness skills. Dr. Beaumont is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine.