Discovering Strengths

Neurodiversity

As educators we are often eager to intervene to support students with challenges, however, students with disabilities, such as our 2e students are well aware of what they struggle with.  What they don't always know is that they have strengths.  Thomas Armstrong in his book on neurodiversity noted that "by changing from a deficit orientation to a diversity perspective, and by creating positive ecosystems within which students with learning differences can learn according to their strengths rather than their weaknesses, we can help these students become who they are truly meant to be" (Armstrong, 2012).  

While this neurodiversity perspective is especially important for students with disabilities, the great news is it works for all students!

While it will take a few minutes to read, this article "First, Discover Their Strengths" by Armstrong may well change how you see and program for students with disabilities, and once you see its power to change your students' and your own perspectives, you will want to use it with all students.   As you read the article, think about your chosen student for your assignment.  There will be a section in which you create a strength-based goal for your student.  How will you use a new neurodiversity perspective to create this goal?