They must also develop proper study habits such as taking notes during lectures and studying regularly. Reasoning: A child who is good at reasoning is often able to understand and think through complex problems. A: Students can use their strengths to pursue activities and interests that may help them reach their academic or career goals. This is the complete list of articles we have written about academic weaknesses. When adding your student strengths in an IEP, a team should approach this much like any other section of the IEP. Imagine an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that focuses as much on your childs strengths as it does on your childs weaknesses. During an IEP meeting, focus on the strengths during the profile portion. Admittedly, we all look for people of strong characterin our spouses, friends, employers, and so on. Cognitive Skills or Strengths: In this area, I would include skills such as processing, communication, reasoning and attention. The common goals and the strengths-based goals set the same expectation for student progress. Jenny actively participates in class discussions and engages well in peer-to-peer workgroups. The virtues are broader characteristics that have been valued in philosophical and spiritual traditions across time and place, while the character strengths function as components of or pathways to the virtues. Many teachers, especially new ones, find it challenging to, IEP writing strengths and weaknesses examples. Student Strengths and Weaknesses: List and 13 Examples for Students | My Strengths and Weaknesses Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? It requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to set goals, make plans, and stick to them. %PDF-1.6 % Can she work independently? You know that your child has strengths, or your student has strengths. Schools have been focused for many years on areas of need because thats what qualifies kids for IEPs. (Gratitude for Tweens and Teens Lesson 1), Students reach out to trusted adults to ask what they think are students strengths and talents. For example, a student who struggles with procrastination can try setting small goals that are achievable in a short amount of time or breaking their studies up into manageable chunks. This likely means asking students to help identify their strengths, interests and preferences. As a student, knowing yourself, including the things you are best at, and the skills that could do with a little more work can be invaluable. To ensure success, students must learn how to manage their time effectively and identify student strengths. Taking a look at specific student strengths in the classroom is a great place to start. For example, if Elana struggles in math, what does she do well in that subject? Sydney Thorson, OTR/L, is a new occupational therapist working in school-based therapy. Many parents encourage kids to attend at least the first part of the IEP meeting. Examples of good executive functioning skills would be the ability to stay focused/on tasks, organizational skills, time management, locker and backpack organization, and planning. Additionally, developing a good support system of friends, family or mentors can be helpful in helping students identify areas of improvement and commit to working on them. If not, you and your childs case manager can look for a free strengths assessment online. (Gratitude for Tweens and Teens Lesson 3), A values-informed process to help students make the best possible ethical choices, Strategies for parents and caregivers to help teens understand and practice being humble. Disruptive 8. ECSE: For students Birth to three the IEP must address Physical/Motor Development; Basic Senses including Hearing and Vision; Self-Help Skills; Academic Performance/Cognitive Development/ Intellectual Functioning; Social/Emotional/ Behavioral Development; Communication and Current Health and Medical Status. A strengths-based IEP uses student abilities to help work on weaknesses. Goals should also be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound). Students can also help the team think about how to use these strengths to develop strategies for success. honesty, integrity, fairness), Is able to plan for the future, describe future goals, Displays good common sense and decision making, Explains ideas or concepts well to others, Has good listening skills, without interrupting, Is able to effectively use non-verbal cues to communicate with others, persuasive in getting someone to do something, Can easily pick up on the emotional state of another person, able to work out his/her own conflicts with others, able to become totally absorbed in an activity, tolerant of others who have cultural, ethnic, or racial differences, pride in his/her own cultural, ethnic, or racial background, Likes to find out about historical events around the world, Enjoys learning about different cultural traditions, Enjoys listening to audiobooks or to someone telling a story or reading out loud, Has a chemistry set or other science kit that he/she works with at home, Enjoys logical or number games or puzzles like Rubiks cube or Sudoku, aptitude for fixing machines or mechanical things, Likes to create three-dimensional structures with building materials, able to visualize images clearly, can describe, Gets information more easily through pictures than words, sensitive to the visual world around him/her, can express verbally and respond appropriately, Likes to spend time using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, uses the internet appropriately for school and entertainment, Knows how to set up audio-visual or computer equipment, Enjoys social networking (e.g. (Purpose Challenge Practice #1). (131) $3.50. When teachers can differentiate content (the delivery method or access to what is learned), process (the activities used to learn it), and product (how learning is shown or how it is assessed), students can generalize and transfer learning more effectively. But more and more schools are shifting the focus from deficits to a strengths-based approach. Reading skills, writing skills, math or science skills, preferred subject area excellence, or study habits. Furthermore, you will find a step-by-step approach to help you -- from assessment to progress monitoring. Theres no one way to develop a strengths-based IEP. Her/His __________ skills are a strength, as are her/his __________ skills. (ii)the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child; (iii)the results of the initial evaluation or most recent evaluation of the child; and. You can also learn more about how to develop SMART IEP goals, and then help steer the IEP team to include strengths in at least a few of your childs goals. Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. 3. Use this framework to help guide the writing process: __________ has a strong character, is _______________, and is _______________. Its truegetting stuck on a students challenges can make it tough to move forward with an effective IEP that meets his or her needs. Being disorganized is a weakness that means you are easily overwhelmed and dont have a good system for managing your school work. This is the time to gloat about your student. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Get to know yourself better with our list of Students Strengths and Weaknesses for Students. Being cooperative is a vital aspect of any successful educational experience because it allows you to work in pairs and groups, as well as do what you are asked by the person that is leading the activity. Strengths-based IEPs are Essential Everyone knows the IEP meeting is taking place because the student has a disability that adversely affects their education. In order for student strengths to be effective in developing an iep, they must relate specifically and uniquely to each student. Use of this website is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Examples of Special Qualities to list on the IEP. He cant follow the teachers directions. Being cooperative means working well with others, both your peers and your superiors. It can also give kids a sense of ownership when they get to help make decisions about their IEP. Some case managers, or more broadly, school districts, like to expand student strengths beyond the student solely in the school setting. Positive examples. Weave strengths into IEP goals. Herbackground is in Human Development and Family Studies, and she is passionate aboutproviding individualized and meaningful treatment for each child and their family. Examples of Student Weaknesses 1. Everyone also knows a student's strengths can be leveraged to support self-esteem and growth. Although that student strength might not directly relate to academic success, it may contribute to the student's participation in class. Trending: Become a Special Education Advocate, Start IEP and Special Education Knowledge. Easily Distracted 14. Aidan will complete his science lab reports on time and with 85% accuracy in three out of four consecutive assignments. Plus the snippet from IDEA about a child's strengths. Check out Mary Falveys book,a great resource to share with parents, especially. The idea of desirable character traits has existed since ancient times, but research on them is more recent, spurred by the rise of positive psychologya movement that endeavors to use the tools of psychology not only to identify and fix problems, but also to recognize and foster positive qualities and flourishing. ), Shows loyalty (I dont even know what this means, for students, loyal? A: Students may be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses through self-reflection, feedback from classmates or teachers, or by engaging in activities that allow them to assess their abilities. 4. For starters, you can get answers to common questions about having your child attend IEP meetings. Too Blunt 11. Remember so these are just examples, and your child's strong and weaknesses may be distinct. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. This is the heart of a strengths-based IEP. He likes to read and he also enjoys science activities. 6. ), Cooperates (an ableist society tells us that the disabled child must always concede to the abled child; rarely is the abled child thought of as non-cooperative if he/she does not want to go along with the disabled child). Some common types of student strengths include: In this area, I would include skills such as processing, communication, reasoning, and attention. Think of their goals and their history. Your child's IEP should have goals for each area of weakness in reading skills. endstream endobj 448 0 obj <. Being aggressive refers to when students become loud and disruptive during class. And you can advocate for more teacher training in strengths-based IEPs at your childs school or in your local district. Being apathetic means that you dont care about your studies. She/He enjoys __________ and __________ . Maybe they are as sweet as can be? Student strengths are the qualities, talents or capabilities that a student has. Keep it basic and straightforward, but be truthful in your choice. Child Strengths and Weaknesses Examples, Social Skills and Social-Emotional Strengths, Executive Functioning and Processing Strengths, children who chronically lie or are liars, Advertise with Us | Newsletter Sponsorships, Understanding IDEA and Your Parental Rights, Disability Acceptance, Advocacy and Activism, Section 504 Plans and 504 Plan Accommodations. Though people may value different strengths to different extents, in general, parents and educators across cultures value these qualities and try to cultivate them in children and youth. This student's schedule is being modified to add in additional tutoring sessions. This graphic gives you 5 great examples of what that sounds like (just give it a click to see it full size): What do you think? Selective attention: A child with selective attention skills is able to filter out distractions and focus on one task. This questionnaire is applicable to students ages 4-17. When you have a structure to help you, developing a student strength statement and weaknesses statement is not difficult. Sam has a strong character, is eager to learn, and is curious about a new subject. Moreover, shifting to a more balanced, holistic perspective that leans on a students strengths to improve areas of weakness provides an authentic opportunity for students to develop their self-advocacy skills, self-confidence, and independence as learners. No image or information displayed on this site or related domains including social media may be reproduced, transmitted, or copied without the express permission of The OT Toolbox. Student strengths such as "helps partner with school work," "remembers to raise hand in class," and "tries to stay on task" are student strengths that can be observed and measured. Well, no more! Highlight strengths for : Social skills. But, one concept of this really bothers me. Or just swipe them for your IEP parent concerns letter. Incorporating your childs strengths into SMART goals can make the goals even stronger. Have them fill out what their best answer is and then compare to find commonalities. It also tells the kids about their own abilities. Creating a positive environment and developing good habits can also help students overcome their weaknesses and achieve success. Research on character strengths in both adults and youth tends to use the Values in Action (VIA) Classification, a framework that identifies 24 character strengths, which are often organized under six core virtues. And, we dont typically look for lists of weaknesses to put on an IEP. But IEP teams can reframe the strengths discussion so it focuses on abilities: What does Elana do well?. Additionally, some students may have difficulty following instructions or staying focused during group activities. Sure, lots of kids struggle in this area, but many excel. 3 Steps to Impress, Strengths Based Interview Questions: Top Example Questions, ESFP Strengths and Weaknesses: Top 5 List of ESFP Strengths, 16 Strengths and Weaknesses Examples Job Interview List, Accounting Strengths and Weaknesses: Top 5 Poll Results 2023. As I state in that article, I was a liar as a child. Students brainstorm ideas for coping with anger as a first step to forgiveness. What if instead we leverage students strengths and competencies to improve areas of growth? None of us are perfect, and this means its likely that we will have at least some weakness to work on. Task Avoidance IEP Goals: Special Education Strategies for Success, I Have Who Has: The Classroom Game for All Ages to Boost Learning and Engagement, Unlocking Potential: The Power of a Strength-Based Approach for Students with Disabilities, Chooses 3-4 student strengths from the student strength list, Writes a narrative about each student strength picked, Includes behavior(s) that student demonstrates when using student strength, Student's family member(s) or an other person involved in student's life can endorse student strengths to strengthen them, Student identifies his own student strengths, if appropriate to student's abilities, Shares student empowerment strategies with other professionals who work with the student, Student's team members choose student strengths to use in student success goals, If student is working on student transition goals, student's team may want to include student strengths with industry or university partnerships. We have a variety of different types of student success goals that you can use to help your students shine. Approaching IEPs from a strengths-based perspective does not sugarcoat the struggles that students with exceptionalities may face. A team can also add strengths to an IEP by area or discipline. Do you want to dive deeper into the science behind our GGIE practices? When choosing student strengths, pick student strengths that are easily observable and measurable. This adapted example from Frontline Education illustrates how a shift from subjective to objective language gives more specific and useful information: Andi frequently misbehaves is better written as When frustrated, Andi may leave their seat and pace at the back of the classroom.. The use of strengths-based approaches is not necessarily new, however supporting individuals' needs in a strength-based model has been largely overlooked in special education. Additionally, some students may show leadership skills by helping others learn different activities or games. Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. 0 In some sections, IDEA lists the strengths of the child as the first item. Manage Settings Stubborn 10. These register items are grouped into six different categories: Attitude, Academic Skills, Executive Operate Skills, Social Key, Car Skills, press Sensory Data Special. "YA$\)X$l3l`5`q` JDzH@Q9vIL^`Lf{ L`C!A = Being determined is a valuable strength for students because School can often be challenging both socially and academically., especially in classes that are not our favorite. View: List IEP Goals: Strengths and Weaknesses Questionnaire by SPED Helpline 5.0 (1) $3.00 PDF This questionnaire must be completed by the teacher of the student. When a skill is not acquired, the implication is not that the student is deficient, but rather that the student lacks the opportunity, experience, and instruction needed to master the skill at this time. Megan is a hard worker in the classroom. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Includes strengths, weaknesses, interests & preferences. Its the ability to connect the dots, as they say. In an era when more and more is packed into a school day, cultivating a student's strengths may . Elana will use her skills with a times table to help transition by May 15 to knowing from memory all products of two one-digit numbers with 90% accuracy in four out of five tries. Write it down! A strengths-based approach is a pathway to increasing parent-school partnerships because it shows parents that their childs teachers believe in their childs potential, and students begin to understand that they are capable and valuable contributors at school and in life. Ability to interpret and analyze data and information. Take an inventory of the students strengths, interests, and preferences. Strengths-based IEP goals use a students abilities, interests and preferences to help chart a path to progress. However, I dislike the word weaknesses. Whos at the IEP Table? The information provided on the Website is provided as is without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Someone may consider being on time a positive aspect of their education. Individualized education programs that focus on learnercompetencies enhance student growth and increase parental involvement. Examples include being well-liked, cooperative, a problem solver, making friends easily, socializing at appropriate times during the day, having a friend pool to draw from for support, and communicating with others well. Heres how I like to think of it: the strengths of the student are the building blocks that new skills will be added to or in other words, how can the student use their current strengths to help them make more gains in the future? Being creative means being able to come at a problem from different and unusual perspectives. Todays post highlights solutions to four of these common barriers. sent right to your inbox! Helping students identify and leverage their strengths, interests and preferences can lead to more self-awareness and self-advocacy. Teachers should also seek out feedback from parents and other stakeholders to gain insight into the strengths of each student. Strengths and Weaknesses 3-Step Method: My $1 Million Answer Got Me The Job! Family participation is an essential part of a successful IEP process, but persistent barriers can often derail family involvement. Heres what you need to know to help develop a strengths-based IEP for your child. Each goal should be tied to a specific state academic standard for reading. Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ethical Decision-Making & Social Responsibility, Topic 1 Caring for Ourselves: The Science of Emotional Resilience, Topic 2 Safety & Belonging in Classrooms and Schools, Topic 3 Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health, Topic 4 Committing to Racial Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Topic 5 Teaching for Social, Emotional, and Academic Development, Topic 6 Supporting SEL through Family and Community Engagement, Wisdom (creativity; curiosity; judgment; love of learning; perspective), Courage (bravery; perseverance; honesty; zest), Humanity (love; kindness; social-emotional intelligence), Temperance (forgiveness; humility; prudence; self-regulation), Transcendence (appreciation of beauty and excellence; gratitude; hope; humor; spirituality), Many character strengths are associated with higher satisfaction with life. Fault has too much negativity attached to it. This questionnaire is applicable to students ages 4-17. Jenny is helpful in class and eager to learn new concepts. Others may have difficulty working with different groups of peers due to lack of social skills. Here are a few examples of how a strengths-based IEP goal could differ from a SMART goal that isnt strengths-based: By May 15, Elana will know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers with 90% accuracy in four out of five tries. Too often, IEP teams discuss a students strengths by saying things like What I like about Elana is And these kinds of comments can be hard to connect to the rest of the IEP in actionable ways. Being kind is a vital strength, both in the classroom and in the outside world. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Learners' strengths can be very diverse based on the specific situation. Inspire students to practice intellectual humility by introducing them to what intellectual humility is, what it looks like, and why it is valuable. Good academic performance is the result of consistent hard work and dedication to ones studies. When writing a profile of the student's strengths, think about the child as a whole. Here are more childs strengths for an IEP, not categorized. And, in color! A strengths-based IEP uses student abilities to help work on weaknesses. This blueprint, however, tends to fall short in considering a students strengths and competencies, and more often than not focuses on what a student cannot do. This contribution to the list of student strengths for IEP is far less based on goals or reasons for specialized services, but it is integral to who the student is at the end of the day. In his classroom behavior, he demonstrates responsibility by coming prepared to class with materials ready to learn. ESTP Strengths and Weaknesses: Top 5 List of ESTP Weaknesses, Nursing Strengths and Weaknesses: Top 5 Poll Results 2023, List of Weaknesses: 43 Examples of Personal Weaknesses, 50 Strength and Weakness Quotes: My Strengths and Weaknesses, Strengths and Talents: List of 40 Talents and Strengths, Expedia Strengths Based Assessment Reddit Answers, 10 Marketing Strengths and List of Marketing Skills, Top 10 Supervisor Strengths and Weaknesses for Interviews. I prettied it up a little if you want to share it:) Accessibility | Nondiscrimination | Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Credits, Develop students intellectual humility through concept mapping, PreK/Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College. By doing so, students can become more confident and successful on the playground. Is honest and trustworthy (already addressed this above), Is caring, kind, and empathetic (its very rare to find a child who truly does not care or empathize with others; they often lack the traditional ways to show it), Helps others (do they have the skill sets to help others, to explain things, and be of assistance?