Student Strengths

Youth with disabilities often experience stigmatization, which can place limitations on their academics and emotional well-being. Have you ever heard of the social-relational model? A social model of disability views disability as being rooted in an unequal social relationship, resulting in disadvantage. Causing negative experiences and effects on who they become or what communities with which they are involved. Many individuals with disabilities are aware of the stigma attached to the label itself. Stigma consciousness is the belief that others see you in that specific label which can have negative implications for individuals' thoughts, behaviors, and feelings, resulting in lower academic achievement outcomes. The stigma can also cause self-esteem challenges. To help youth build a positive identity, discussing positive role models and discussing strengths are two methods they can do to help gain a sense of acceptance and encouragement for their career paths.

Students with disabilities need to see/meet other people like themselves. People who have overcome similar difficulties and have achieved success. One way to do this is by doing research. Educators should research famous people and go through these individuals with their students (e.g., Steven Spielberg has ADHD, Abraham Lincoln had EBD, Tom Cruise has dyslexia, Chris Rock has a non-verbal learning disability, Tim Burton is Autistic). This can instill in youth with disabilities a deep feeling that they can make it as well.

By focusing on assets (strengths) rather than labels, educators can develop better ways of helping all students succeed. This is often referred to as strength-based learning. Unknowingly, many educators and parent(s)/guardians focus on a student's deficit rather than their strengths. Knowing how a student might learn best through their strengths can help you as an educator develop lessons that can set them up for success. For example, students with autism appear to do better than their typically developing peers on smaller details than with the big picture. You might incorporate concrete examples and then broaden that slowly. Students with dyslexia often demonstrate higher levels of visual skills. Incorporating more art-related activities in reading and writing assignments might be beneficial.

While it is important for educators to learn their student's strengths, it is critical for the students to also learn their own strengths. Self-awareness is a critical social-emotional skill, and awareness of our strengths (and weaknesses) for the student helps them have a stronger sense of who they are and understand their own worth.

Here is one idea you can do in the classroom

Cutout strengths:

1. Cut out a list of strengths (already written down) for students and a few blank ones for additional strengths.

   • Example of strengths:

     1. I am honest

     2. I am loyal

     3. I am a good listener

     4. I can work independently

     5. I like to look at photos when learning something new

     6. I like to listen to audio instructions when given a new assignment

     7. I work well with others

     8. I am creative

2. Have them sort through these strengths and discuss a time or two that they have shown that strength. Students can work in groups, partners, or write down a time in their notebook. If a student wants to share with everyone a strength they picked, fabulous. Get them to see that others might have this strength too.

3. Have the students discuss what happened when they used that strength, how did it make them feel, how did it make someone else feel? This they complete a task…positive outcome.

4. Have students come up with a few more strengths that weren’t on that list and write them down.

5. It is also important to recognize that we are not good at everything, we all have our weaknesses or just things we are okay at. Take that pile that was not in the strengths and discuss what the student may wish to work on in the future.

   • For example: Having trouble memorizing things or remembering things.

   • Together, identify strategies that can help them improve on them.

     1. Writing things down in a notebook

     2. Note sections on your phone