Does she prefer to work in groups? Positive examples. Disorganized 7. The student's team might include student weaknesses as a part of the student's iep, but they should not be included in the student strength list. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. Being creative means being able to come at a problem from different and unusual perspectives. A: Common student strengths examples include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, creativity, strong communication skills, good time management, self-motivation and discipline. is resilient), Has good character (e.g. Not some resource list you found on the internet. Maybe you want to jot these down for the IEP meeting. Looking to help your students shine through strengths-based ieps? List of Student Strengths and Weaknesses for IEP Writing - Your Therapy Focusing is an important strength because it means you can work independently and dont need constant supervision to get a task done whether it be school work, writing skills or social skills. 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. Excerpted, How does your IEP team ensure that culturally and linguistically diverse families are welcomed, involved, and able to make the most informed decisions? Check out this guide to see the top 13 student strengths and student weaknesses contributing to academic success! The strengths section balances that conversation with the more positive side of things. Using an interpreter is one important way, As students with disabilities approach adult life beyond high school, theyll need critical self-determination skills to identify their dreams and goals and advocate for the future they want. Students can also help the team think about how to use these strengths to develop strategies for success. The strengths should be identified, either through evaluations or anecdotal information from parents and teachers. 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. Includes strengths, weaknesses, interests & preferences. Many students also have difficulty staying organized, studying efficiently or managing their emotions effectively. List of Student Strengths For IEP Writing - The OT Toolbox Students bring with them different backgrounds, which express themselves as skills, abilities, knowledge, family and community characteristics, and experiences. The common goals and the strengths-based goals set the same expectation for student progress. Strengths-based IEPs arent widely used yet. However, I dislike the word weaknesses. Because differences are our greatest strength. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. Being disorganized is a weakness that means you are easily overwhelmed and dont have a good system for managing your school work. 30 Best Students Strengths And Weaknesses List & Examples Some of the most common student weaknesses include: Being impatient means you find it hard to wait your turn or let others have their say. Self doubt 9. Taking that question into consideration can help a student make goals or develop skills based on personal strengths and achievements. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out. However, some of the general strengths for learners include being knowledgeable about different topics and facts, understanding different subjects such as math or biology easily, having a great visual memory, and learning new materials quickly. She enjoys working with peers, enjoys class discussion on variety of reading materials and completes tasks on time. This student will receive 60 minute tutoring sessions three days a week before school. Copyright 2022 Teachtasticiep. For students with exceptionalities, their educational program, supports, and related services are largely determined by an individualized education program (IEP) or individual services plan (ISP) that pulls information from their present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP). Some common types of student strengths include: In this area, I would include skills such as processing, communication, reasoning, and attention. Logic skills: A child with strong logic skills is often able to see the connections between things. Lack of Focus 6. A child with strong short-term memory skills is often able to remember things for a short period of time, such as a list of items or a set of instructions. Apathy 4. Or just swipe them for your IEP parent concerns letter. IEP goals are built around what the student can do and how the team can use those abilities. I prettied it up a little if you want to share it:). Participates in discussions at home, at school, and with friends; non-speakers can follow along with discussions, Tells stories that have a clear beginning, middle, and end, Uses lots of words and likes learning new words, Can answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions in conversation (or about a story), Understands the structure of sounds; can do tasks like rhyme, Can remember details and retell stories after reading them, Can make predictions based on whats happened so far in a story, Reads with expression, like the way an actor talks on TV shows, Makes connections between reading material and personal experiences, Ability to focus and concentrate for extended periods, Good listening skills and processing skills. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. 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. In one study, for young children (ages 3-9), the strengths of love, hope, and zest were particularly, Adolescents who participated in character strength-based, Studies have shown that certain character strengths are associated with, Other-directed strengths such as kindness and teamwork predict, Other-directed strengths such as kindness, teamwork, and social-emotional intelligence are associated with better, Character strengths seem to help students adjust to school, from the beginning of, Various strengths relate to academic achievement across ages, from. A child with a great memory is often able to remember instructions, peoples names, and previous learning experiences easily. Being easily distracted means that you can find it hard to focus on the task at hand. __ Deals with anger, insults, and disagreements peacefully. Academic strengths: Examples of academic strengths are the ability to excel in specific subjects or areas of study, such as math, science, literature, or language. A: Students can use their strengths to pursue activities and interests that may help them reach their academic or career goals. I prettied it up a little if you want to share it:) The dictionary definition of weakness is: a quality or feature regarded as adisadvantageor fault; plural noun:weaknesses. The team not only identifies strengths, but leverages them to help address weaknesses. Strengths: Emotional intelligence is a term used to describe a person's ability, strong communication and presentation abilities verbally, strong analytic abilities, fairness, etc. Student strengths and needs, including linguistic, content, educational, and cultural, have their roots in these backgrounds. None of us are perfect, and this means its likely that we will have at least some weakness to work on. Its the ability to recall knowledge and use it appropriately. The health and medical related resources on this website are provided solely for informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or for medical or professional advice. How to Write IEP Student Strengths | TeachTastic Use phrases such as excels at, does at grade/age level, or does well to describe student competencies, and use these strengths to inform the IEP teams approach when writing goals and objectives for student growth. Your child's IEP should have goals for each area of weakness in reading skills. Take an inventory of the students strengths, interests, and preferences. A strengths-based IEP often boils down to a shift in mindset. 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. This questionnaire is applicable to students ages 4-17. Weakness: Separating yourself from the rest of your team, being too judgmental, micromanagement, no integrity, etc. Students explore what forgiveness is and what it is not. Involving students in IEP meetings can help the team think about ways to develop strengths and work on weaknesses. These can include academic abilities, such as writing and mathematics; interpersonal skills like collaboration and communication; problem solving skills; creativity; resilience or persistence in difficult situations; and physical abilities. Now, he has perfect handwriting, and no longer needs specialized services for this skill area! Use this letter to future self as a guide post in developing a growth mindset using those personal strengths. Theres no one way to develop a strengths-based IEP. Everyone also knows a student's strengths can be leveraged to support self-esteem and growth. The teacher can use this form to assess what the child's strengths and deficits are during social behaviors during the school day. Theres a lot you can do right now. This can help kids think about new ways to develop their strengths and work on their weaknesses. Both of these areas should always be shared with the student as well. Paraeducators Involved in the IEP Process, 5 Essential Math Word Problems IEP Goals | TeachTastic. Communication, mathematics, management (for a kid? But as Mary Falvey points out in her book Believe in My Child with Special Needs!,taking a problem-focused approach defeats your goal of high expectations and creative problem-solving. Its even first on the list! When working towards an IEP goal, she has a growth mindset and perceivers through challenges. Heres what you need to know to help develop a strengths-based IEP for your child. Additionally, some students may struggle with low self-esteem or perfectionism that keeps them from taking risks or trying new things. Critical Thinking: A child who is good at critical thinking is often able to see different sides of an issue and make logical decisions. Working Memory Skills: Working memory is for both long-term and short-term memory. Being kind is a vital strength, both in the classroom and in the outside world. And this process promotes self-awareness and self-advocacy that can help kids in school and beyond. Someone may consider being on time a positive aspect of their education. It often refers to visuals creatively, but can also include being able to think in a novel and unexpected way. IEP goals are built around what the student can do and how the team can use that ability to work on an area of weakness. Media inquiries:[emailprotected](preferred) or646-757-3100. 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. It involves setting goals, developing a plan for achieving them, and striving for excellence. __________ is a hard worker in class. Leadership strengths: These include a students ability to inspire and motivate others, make decisions, and take initiative in appropriate situations. I prefer the term areas of need. I believe, on a subconscious level, that we too often associate the term weakness with the term fault. Check out Mary Falveys book,a great resource to share with parents, especially. Her at grade level math skills are a strength, as are her social skills. Strengths-based IEP goals use a students abilities, interests and preferences to help chart a path to progress. Individualized education programs that focus on learnercompetencies enhance student growth and increase parental involvement. He cant follow the teachers directions. There are many different types of student strengths, and each student may have their own unique combination of strengths. Having a supportive family and community will absolutely affect student growth. Thank you for reading! Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? A strengths test not only tells the IEP team about kids abilities. Each student has a unique profile of strengths, with some strengths being more developed and others less so, regardless of how they compare to other students. What if instead we leverage students strengths and competencies to improve areas of growth? Student IEPs. Some of the other online resources that youve found, similar to this list of child strength examples, may include Character Strengths in a child. Some examples of social-emotional skills include resilience, problem solver, positivity, optimism, pleasant and easygoing, adapting easily to unexpected changes, flexible thinking, and creativity. Instructional strategies. Use this inventory to create a personal connection to learning and to create choice for students. In the meantime, you dont have to wait for your childs school to change its IEP template. Plays and/or gets along well with peers Shares feelings Trusting Gives and takes easily Affectionate Good manners and social skills Shares or cooperates with others Comforts others in need Helpful Liked by others Gentle with animals and/or children Makes and/or keeps friends easily Has some good friends The six virtues and their corresponding character strengths of the VIA are: In this view, good character is not a single attribute, but is multidimensional, a family of positive traits that may each be evident to different extents in different people. You may want to know the answer to the question right away without going through the correct process of solving it. Weave strengths into IEP goals. Research with young people has found that character strengths relate to multiple aspects of well-being, including happiness, mental/emotional health, social relationships, and academic achievement. All information on The OT Toolbox Website, its content of all types, including newsletter and social media is presented as informational only and is not a replacement for therapy assessment, diagnosis, intervention, or medical advice. 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.. There is also a space to list the students strengths and weaknesses and related services as well Subjects: Special Education Grades: Not Grade Specific Types: Classroom Forms $1.25 4.9 (3) Word Document File Add to cart Wish List Student Led IEP: Parent Participation Created by Principal's Decree Sydney Thorson, OTR/L, is a new occupational therapist working in school-based therapy. Disruptive students are more interested in following their agenda in class such as talking or making others laugh than completing the work assigned to them by their teacher. 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. I will be using these infographics in my IEP meetings/disability disclosure lessons! willingness to forgive and give people second chances, Persistent in reaching his desired outcome, He has an excellent memory and excels in completing tasks when given clear lists or flowcharts, Is curious about the world around him/her, Fun fashion sense as a means of expression, Sensory/tactile learner, multi-sensory learner, Eager to learn when refocused consistently, When regulated M is a sweet considerate child, Thinks out-of-the-box to find unconventional and creative solutions, exercises great emotional restraint when pushed to his limits, Is empathetic toward the needs of others even if he cannot express, Consistently processes information and responds, even though it is a delayed response, ability to verbalize when he is upset or dysregulated, may appear disinterested in class or not paying attention, but when questioned can regurgitate back the information that was just presented, May be impulsive, but once regulated can usually identify the situation and trigger with great accuracy, Can solve equations in his head, but may show frustration at having to show work, Can adapt to changes in daily schedule with proper warning and notification and explanation, strong desire to do well and please others, is able to set realistic, achievable goals for herself, Is able to and will ask for help when needed, will raise a hand and wait patiently to be called on, recognizes and respects the personal space of others, can do 4/5/6 volleys in a 2-way conversation, can verbalize when being teased/bullied and respond appropriately, will accept unsolicited adult assistance/help without resistance, Learns material best when moving around, gross motor movement, Likes to ride his/her bike, skateboard, and/or other self-powered personal vehicles, Likes to exercise and will initiate independently, Can follow instructions/rules for games such as (give examples), participates in (community activity/sports) and elaborate, Is aware and will be safe in the following setting (elaborate) and will respond appropriately, Can act appropriately around a baby or younger child, Enjoys working independently or in groups, is persistent in carrying out assignments or activities, Understands sarcasm, enjoys telling jokes, Possesses a sense of personal responsibility, Has strong opinions about controversial topics and is able to verbalize them, Marches to the beat of a different drummer, Handles stressful events well (e.g. This is the complete list of articles we have written about academic weaknesses. Learners' strengths can be very diverse based on the specific situation. All Rights Reserved. Student success is paramount in todays competitive academic landscape. Visual processing: A child with strong visual processing skills is often able to easily understand and remember information that is presented visually. Teachers should also seek out feedback from parents and other stakeholders to gain insight into the strengths of each student. Admittedly, we all look for people of strong characterin our spouses, friends, employers, and so on. Subjective language. Students' Strengths and Interests - University of Michigan Statement of academic strengths 3. Goals should also be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound). This questionnaire is applicable to students ages 4-17. We believe that adopting strength-based IEP writing practices is vital to reconstructing students with disabilities as capable contributors to their inclusive classrooms. Inspire students to practice intellectual humility by introducing them to what intellectual humility is, what it looks like, and why it is valuable. When working in the classroom, he will accept help when offered if it is done quietly. Its the ability to connect the dots, as they say. IEP Goals for Reading: What They Look Like | Understood (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. Start a conversation about strengths-based IEPs in our Working With Schools online community group. Students brainstorm ideas for coping with anger as a first step to forgiveness. 2. A teacher once remarked, It is clearly beyond time for us to value the unique qualities of every individual in our classroom.. For example, some students may display a natural ability for competitive sports such as running, jumping, or throwing. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. Lean on strategies that are proven to work with the individual student so that specific and contextualized information is included. Tell us in the comments! 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. Examples of Family or Community Strengths to list on the IEP. And sometimes, during a meeting, were put on the spot. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. A student's strength is a positive attribute that can be used to help students reach their goals and become more successful in life. Find out if your childs school already has access to a strengths finder. When adding your student strengths in an IEP, a team should approach this much like any other section of the IEP. Strengths-based IEPs are Essential Everyone knows the IEP meeting is taking place because the student has a disability that adversely affects their education. Specific conditions. Some of the most common and most valuable student strengths include: Being focused means that you can stay on task without additional prompting from teachers. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. And, its the concept of honesty. A: Strategies students can use to improve upon their weaknesses include setting achievable goals, breaking projects down into smaller tasks, developing better study habits and using online tools or resources to help them stay organized and motivated. His/her positive work habits show that he/she _______________, can _______________, and _______________. Chapter 3: Assessing Student Strengths and Needs Examine each statement for subjective language, and aim to shift to more objective language. With that in mind, why not check out our guide to the most common strengths and weaknesses of students below to see if any resonate with you. Student strengths are more effective when they have specific behaviors that can be seen, heard, or otherwise observed by others. It can support carryover of goal areas, as well as encourage meaningful participation. Statement of functional abilities and needs The PLAAFP should include the student's strengths, but since it is important to establish the areas of focus for the IEP, it must document areas of weakness/in need of improvement. Understood does not provide medical or other professional advice. IDEA is pretty clear about a students strengths being considered as part of IEP development. Copyright 2023 Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. pursue an inclusive education for their child, from preschool to high school and beyond, collaborate with educators on their childs IEP, promote their childs access to the general curriculum, support their child as he or she develops friendships. Helping students identify and leverage their strengths, interests and preferences can lead to more self-awareness and self-advocacy. And explore 10 ways to be an effective advocate for your child at school. Motivation/Work Ethic. 2010-2023 The OT Toolbox | Privacy Policy, Pumpkin Deep Breathing Exercise for Halloween Mindfulness, When Executive Function Skills Impair Handwriting, Executive Functioning Skills- Teach Planning and Prioritization, Fine Motor Activities to Improve Open Thumb Web Space, Activities to improve smooth visual pursuits, Classroom Accommodations for Visual Impairments, Typing Activities for Occupational therapy, Maintains seated position on the carpet with peers, Teaches peers to play Spiderman at recess time, Cared for primarily by paternal grandmother whom he talks about often, Lives with foster family who act as great advocates, Attends weekend camp at the YMCA where he builds community skills, Meets community members while he works part-time as a grocery store clerk, Plants a garden at the senior center every spring, Is a member of the local special Olympics team. There are so many areas of strength that you could dive into: physical strengths, academic strengths, social skills, emotional regulationthe list goes on! It can also give kids a sense of ownership when they get to help make decisions about their IEP. In order for student strengths to be effective in developing an iep, they must relate specifically and uniquely to each student. Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. 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.
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