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. Examine each statement for subjective language, and aim to shift to more objective language. What a powerful way to support a childs progression than to shout their achievements out for the whole educational team to hear! Lean on strategies that are proven to work with the individual student so that specific and contextualized information is included. This child may do well in school and remember content for tests easily. Jenny is helpful in class and eager to learn new concepts. Manage Settings Students identify their strengths to increase self-understanding. In order to provide a wide range of options, some general strengths and along with some that are more specific to occupational therapy will be highlighted. Required fields are marked *. PDF Present Levels of Academic Achievement & Functional Performance (PLAAFPs) Reframe the way the IEP team talks about strengths. You may put off studying or procrastinate, creating chaos in the process. This student strength list can also be used during the development of student transition goals. Fear of Failure 2. Physical strengths: These include a students athleticism, motor planning, coordination, and physical fitness. Aidan will use his preference for hands-on learning and his skills with technology to dictate his notes during science lab and complete his science lab reports on time and with 85% accuracy in three out of four consecutive assignments. 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. Is a students' awareness also considered a strength? Its a way to shift the language we use to describe the needs of our students, and ultimately it leads to higher investment in their educational, social, and emotional growth. This student strength list is a tool for you to use when creating student success goals that the student can accomplish. 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. Excerpted, How does your IEP team ensure that culturally and linguistically diverse families are welcomed, involved, and able to make the most informed decisions? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It's easy to let the IEP process become a deficit-driven conversation. Understood does not provide medical or other professional advice. Additionally, they can work on improving their weaknesses by seeking out resources or support from teachers, counselors, or mentors. Students learn to manage their emotions in a healthy way by identifying the people and places that influence changes in their emotions. Many parents encourage kids to attend at least the first part of the IEP meeting. Character Strengths for Students | Greater Good In Education Weave strengths into IEP goals. 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. 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 can help kids think about new ways to develop their strengths and work on their weaknesses. 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.. However, I dislike the word weaknesses. People Pleasing 12. Maybe youre getting ready for an IEP meeting, and thinking, What are my childs strengths? or How do I know my childs strengths? Parents, you know your kids best! But under stress, we draw a blank. These register items are grouped into six different categories: Attitude, Academic Skills, Executive Operate Skills, Social Key, Car Skills, press Sensory Data Special. PreK/Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School. How to Focus on Strengths at an IEP Meeting - Speech Room News Whos at the IEP Table? It is our duty as special education instructors to discover and publicize those assets in order to develop them further. What are Student Strengths? List + Test To Find Them Out Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. My lying was treated as a character flaw, and it took me many years to realize that I am a good person. But as more schools make strides in student-led IEPs and other areas, they may inspire more districts to rewrite their IEP templates. Do you consciously try to flip weakness statements into strengths and needs statements during IEP meetings? Have them fill out what their best answer is and then compare to find commonalities. Student strengths are the qualities, talents or capabilities that a student has. Imagine an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that focuses as much on your childs strengths as it does on your childs weaknesses. When student strengths are utilized, students will become more active and enthusiastic participants in their educations. Once identified, educators can create learning experiences that promote and develop these strengths, while helping students to become well-rounded individuals. 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. His positive work habits show that he follows rules and routines, can ignore distractions, and is a self starter in classroom activities. This is especially true to students who will be graduating soon, and will be integrating into the community. Kidding aside, any recent gains should be included in the strengths section of the IEP, in addition to the positive qualities they have always possessed. 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. A well-rounded statement includes several areas of strength with up to three options from each. Being disorganized is a weakness that means you are easily overwhelmed and dont have a good system for managing your school work. Aidan will complete his science lab reports on time and with 85% accuracy in three out of four consecutive assignments. Is she able to use a calculator? Use this letter to future self as a guide post in developing a growth mindset using those personal strengths. Unfortunately, thats not the norm for most students yet. I just needed better coping mechanisms, which no one taught me. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Lying is what I did to survive. Well, no more! List of Student Strengths For IEP Writing - The OT Toolbox Emphasizing strengths throughout this section as well as weaknesses not only sets a positive tone. I hope that this student strengths for iep examples guide has been helpful. 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. Jos follows classroom rules and expectations and actively participates in table groups. Teachers can use a variety of strategies to identify and develop student strengths, such as observation, testing, interviews or surveys. 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. A strengths-based IEP uses student abilities to help work on weaknesses. Both of these areas should always be shared with the student as well. The dictionary definition of weakness is: a quality or feature regarded as adisadvantageor fault; plural noun:weaknesses. 5 Examples of Academic Weaknesses 1. Strengths and Weaknesses 3-Step Method: My $1 Million Answer Got Me The Job! Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. 511 0 obj <>stream Someone may consider being on time a positive aspect of their education. (iv)the academic, developmental, and functional needs of the child. 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. This form includes a checklist (teachers love this option because we are SO busy), and also areas for teachers to note student strengths/weaknesses, current grades, observed skill deficits, and much more. Taking a look at specific student strengths in the classroom is a great place to start. 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. Many teachers, especially new ones, find it challenging to, IEP writing strengths and weaknesses examples. The team not only identifies strengths, but leverages them to help address weaknesses. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. A student's strengths can fit into different categories or domains. 0 First of all, lets focus on the positives and students strengths. A: Common student strengths examples include strong analytical and problem-solving skills, creativity, strong communication skills, good time management, self-motivation and discipline. Your Child's Strengths | 127 Student Strength Examples to Swipe for A strengths-based IEP uses student abilities to help work on weaknesses. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Individualized education programs that focus on learnercompetencies enhance student growth and increase parental involvement. Always seek parental and general education teacher input before choosing which strengths to highlight the student. Additionally, taking an assessment such as the CliftonStrengths assessment can be a helpful tool for students to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Some case managers, or more broadly, school districts, like to expand student strengths beyond the student solely in the school setting. A: Common student weaknesses may include difficulty staying focused, procrastination, lack of confidence or motivation, poor communication skills, and difficulty managing stress. This guide walks teachers through the process of writing clear and positive student strengths narratives. Word choice. IEP QuickTips: Reframing Weaknesses as Strengths and Needs A strengths test not only tells the IEP team about kids abilities. Make sure your child and adolescent strengths are included as part of your parent concerns. To ensure success, students must learn how to manage their time effectively and identify student strengths. For example, some students may become easily frustrated when they cannot master a certain activity or game. However, by being determined to succeed you can stop small setbacks from impacting your ability to achieve over the long term. 5. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Statement of academic strengths 3. Maybe they are a great helper in the classroom, a friend to all, or have a stand-out-talent in music class. You know that your child has strengths, or your student has strengths. Enroll in one of our online courses for educators! Results for student strengths and weaknesses for iep meeting Disorganized 7. PDF Teachers' Guide to - IRVINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PDF. sent right to your inbox! When adding your student strengths in an IEP, a team should approach this much like any other section of the IEP. 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. We know our kids are great kids, with a lot of assets and qualities to offer the planet. Theres no one way to develop a strengths-based IEP. hbbd```b``v AD2l"3/XD^ Tip - The list below is by no means all-inclusive. Sustained attention: A child who can sustain their attention is able to focus on a task for a long period of time. With dedication and commitment, any student can become a successful academic. Sam has a strong character, is eager to learn, and is curious about a new subject. It can also give kids a sense of ownership when they get to help make decisions about their IEP. On the other hand, weaknesses can also be identified while monitoring playground activities. When working in the classroom, he will accept help when offered if it is done quietly. Sydney Thorson, OTR/L, is a new occupational therapist working in school-based therapy. I listed examples below. Brian Stack, MEd is the principal of Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston, New Hampshire. Use this inventory to create a personal connection to learning and to create choice for students. In order to overcome these weaknesses, it is important for students to identify them and create strategies for overcoming them. Highlight strengths for : Social skills. (131) $3.50. Copyright 2022 Teachtasticiep. If not, you and your childs case manager can look for a free strengths assessment online. Think of their goals and their history. Student-led IEPs also underscore the importance of self-awareness. To list of course strengths and weaknesses on IEP contains a wide variety for examples. In this section, when writing the list of student strengths for IEP, we want to be sure to write newly achieved skills, other pertinent skills, personal qualities, family, and community strengths as well. 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. Another way to think about it is, what outside help does this student have to help them achieve their goals? Stubborn 10. Your child's IEP should have goals for each area of weakness in reading skills. IEP goals are built around what the student can do and how the team can use those abilities. Reading skills, writing skills, math or science skills, preferred subject area excellence, or study habits. Self Criticism 3. Visual processing: A child with strong visual processing skills is often able to easily understand and remember information that is presented visually. Character strengths Is honest and trustworthy Is caring, kind, and empathetic Helps others Shows loyalty Works hard Is resilient Shows independence Cooperates Social strengths Shares, takes turns, and can compromise Puts effort into making friends and keeping them Is a good listener Accepts differences in others Asks for help when needed (Gratitude for Tweens and Teens Lesson 1), Students reach out to trusted adults to ask what they think are students strengths and talents. It requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to set goals, make plans, and stick to them. Because differences are our greatest strength. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Strengths and Weaknesses | All Rights Reserved | |, What Are Your Weaknesses? 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. __________ is a hard worker in class. Goals should also be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound). But IEP teams can reframe the strengths discussion so it focuses on abilities: What does Elana do well?. It adds to their workload and causes them to get stressed when they can't complete their tasks correctly. Statement of academic needs/weaknesses 4. A student's strength is a positive attribute that can be used to help students reach their goals and become more successful in life. Student strength lists can help! Megan is a hard worker in the classroom. Todays post highlights solutions to four of these common barriers. By focusing on what the student can do, and then using those strengths to set goals to help address a particular need, teachers provide students with greater opportunities for academic success; they build resilience and a growth mindset; and finally, self-esteem, self-determination, and self-efficacy are fostered. Edutopia and Lucas Education Research are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. In an era when more and more is packed into a school day, cultivating a student's strengths may . Social strengths: These include a students ability to communicate effectively (even if the communication is not verbal), work well in groups, and build positive relationships with peers and teachers. Helping students identify and leverage their strengths, interests and preferences can lead to more self-awareness and self-advocacy. And, its the concept of honesty. The teacher can use this form to assess what the child's strengths and deficits are during social behaviors during the school day. But sometimes, we need a little help to get our list of child strength examples. Her/His __________ skills are a strength, as are her/his __________ skills. Fault has too much negativity attached to it. It also tells the kids about their own abilities. What are some other ways to avoid getting stuck on what a student cant do yet? Something that in turn can limit your enjoyment of school and your opportunities in later life. Maybe you want to jot these down for the IEP meeting. Get the latest tools and resources It was self-preservation, and Im an enabler (raised by alcoholics). Student success is paramount in todays competitive academic landscape. An outside hobby, sport or group can be integral to the students school success. In some sections, IDEA lists the strengths of the child as the first item. Examples of Student Weaknesses 1. Strengths vary widely from student to student. Heres what you need to know to help develop a strengths-based IEP for your child. 1. My favorite part of the strengths section of an IEP is when I get to write a current strength of a student, that used to be a weakness. 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. But again, we often go into IEP meetings with the mindset that the school is going to tell us no and we forget to address strengths or assets. Student weaknesses can vary considerably from person to person, but some common examples include difficulty concentrating, procrastination, poor time management skills and a lack of motivation. Its interesting to me, that if you do an internet search, child strengths, and student strengths bring back two different lists. Finally, setting realistic goals and having a positive attitude towards learning can go a long way in helping students achieve their academic goals. Student strength lists should not focus on student weaknesses or deficits. Has a strong number sense, like knowing which is larger and which is smaller, Sees and understands patterns in nature and in numbers, Puts effort into making friends and keeping them, Accepts personal responsibility for actions (good and bad). Self doubt 9. THANK YOU for focusing the conversation on strengths and needs vs. weaknesses and deficits!!!! Subjective language. Schools have been focused for many years on areas of need because thats what qualifies kids for IEPs. Well email you our most helpful stories and resources. Instructional strategies. To do so is infringement of copyright law. How to Write IEP Student Strengths | TeachTastic Finally, students may find that understanding and leveraging their strengths and weaknesses can help them to develop better study habits, manage time more efficiently and become more successful in their academic pursuits. __________ is best at __________ has an amazing ability to, __________ always takes pride in his/her work when __________ is frequently recognized for __________ participates the most when __________ does this better than any other student, __________ is highly motivated by __________ is highly interested in. It often refers to visuals creatively, but can also include being able to think in a novel and unexpected way. If IEP writing is new to you, or you are not sure what to add based on your role, just remember to think of the student as a whole. 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. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals haveas reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actionsthat promote the well-being of themselves and others. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We believe that adopting strength-based IEP writing practices is vital to reconstructing students with disabilities as capable contributors to their inclusive classrooms. Sam will use his creativity and interpersonal skills to develop and lead his peers in a class vocabulary game with 90% accuracy in three out of four weekly opportunities. Furthermore, you will find a step-by-step approach to help you -- from assessment to progress monitoring. During an IEP meeting, focus on the strengths during the profile portion. And you can advocate for more teacher training in strengths-based IEPs at your childs school or in your local district. Make sure you focus on the w hole child and not just academics. I love hearing from my readers and am always happy to help in whatever way I can. Positive examples. But, it was not because I am of low moral character. Strengths and Weaknesses | Find out what is yours! Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. Approaching IEPs from a strengths-based perspective does not sugarcoat the struggles that students with exceptionalities may face.