Here are seven ways
that you can activate the strengths of your students with special needs, whether you run a full-inclusion classroom, a
self-contained special Ed classroom, or anything in between:
• Discover your students' strengths. Find out about your students' strengths and abilities by talking with
previous teachers and looking at cumulative files (focusing on the highest
grades and test scores and any positive comments from teachers). Then, fill out
a strength-based inventory for each student—and have parents fill one out as
well.
• Provide positive
role models with disabilities. Students with special needs need to learn about individuals with
disabilities who have become successful in life. This way, they can hopefully
come to the conclusion that "If they can do it, so can I!"
• Develop strength-based learning strategies. Once
you know your students' special strengths, design strategies that utilize those
abilities.
• Use assistive technologies and Universal Design for
Learning tools. Learn about apps that capitalize on the gifts of
your students with special needs. For a student with autism who loves to use an
iPad but has difficulty communicating is a great alternative communication
device.
• Maximize the Power of your students' social networks.
Create a graphic representation of a student's peer
network, identifying both strong and weak relationships. Then, pair the student
with classmates that he has the most positive relationships.
• Help students envision positive future careers. Encourage special needs students by helping them
make links between their strengths and the requirements of specific jobs or
careers.
• Create positive modifications in the learning environment. Think about how you can create changes in your
classroom that brings out a particular strength of your students with special
needs. For example, provide a student with ADHD who learns best by moving, for
example, with a stability ball that he can jiggle on while doing his class-work.
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