How do I work out my child’s strengths?
In this blog post I am going to look at how you work out your child’s strengths.
Sometimes it can be difficult to see any strengths in your child, however you always need to remember that autism is just one part of your child; autism is not your whole child.
A diagnosis or label does not define them. Children have varied types of strengths. Sometimes these strengths are apparent because they’re good at drawing or playing sports. In others, some strengths can be tougher to identify. The main thing is that you keep looking for them.
Identifying and discussing these strengths can help your child succeed. This is particularly beneficial for children who have ASD and may be struggling at school.
There are several categories that strengths fall under. These include:
- Character
- Social
- Language
- Literacy
- Maths and logic
- Study skills
- Creative
When looking for your child’s character strengths, consider the following.
Are they
- Authentic and trustworthy?
- Thoughtful and caring?
- Helpful?
- Reliable?
- Compassionate?
- Conscientious?
- Independent?
- Compliant and cooperative?
- Enthusiastic?
- Inquisitive?
- Resilient?
In regard to social strengths look for the following in your child and ask ‘do they’
- Share and takes turns?
- Try to converse and not interrupt their conversation partner too much?
- Try hard to make friends and maintaining them?
- Listen well?
- Like to assist others?
- Consider others’ feelings and are sensitive to their needs?
- Acknowledge differences in others?
- Ask for assistance when needed?
- Self-regulate? (have ways to cope with feelings so they do not lash out at others)
- Succumb to peer pressure?
- Accept responsibility for their actions? (positive or negative)
- Accept redirection to make something negative into a positive?
- Acknowledge and accept being directed by an adult?
- Tell the truth and show remorse when needed?
- Have a good sense of humour?
Language strengths can be identified in the following ways.
– Uses words to express themselves.
– Enjoys conversing with other people
– Contributes to discussions in various settings.
– Varies their tone of voice according to the activity.
– Tells stories using appropriate structure.
– Uses age-appropriate grammar.
– Uses good vocabulary and looks to extend it.
– Likes learning lyrics.
– Likes having stories read to them.
– Can answer questions appropriately relating to a story.
– Understands jokes and sarcasm
To find your child’s literacy strengths observe if they:
- Can rhyme and complete tasks involving the sound structure of words.
- Like reading or being read to.
- Pursue entertaining texts to read.
- Can sound out unknown words.
- Can identify sight words.
- Understand and utilise written information.
- Can memorise parts and retell stories.
- Can make predictions about a story based on what they already know.
- Reads with expression.
- Makes connections between their experiences and what they’ve read.
Math and logic strengths can be evident through the list below. Observe if they:
- Have strong number sense.
- Understand patterns.
- Recall math facts.
- Can figure out answers mentally.
- Solve puzzles or word problems.
- Like playing strategy games.
- Like pulling things apart to determine how they work.
Listed below are some of the study skills strengths that your child may display. These include:
- Understanding and setting goals.
- Planning ahead.
- Is a self-motivated.
- Staying focused on tasks by ignoring disruptions and distractions.
- Displaying flexible thinking.
- Having good working memory.
- Organising thoughts and physical items like a backpack
- Adhering to rules and routines well.
- Keeping track of time.
- Identifying overwhelming feelings and emotions.
- Making informed decisions and choices.
- Solving problems.
- Asking for assistance.
- Working or playing independently.
- Working well in one-to-one situations.
- Working well in group activities.
- Believing abilities can develop with effort.
There are also other strengths that your child may possess. They include:
- play a musical instrument, dance, sing or act.
- Interactions with others and animals.
- Entertaining others through stories or jokes.
- Getting involved in projects.
It is important to look at:
- your child’s interests
- how they interact with others
- how your child relates to others
- activities they like and independently do.
These things may be viewed as your child’s personal strengths.
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A long post but a good one, I think! Sometimes we need to see questions in front of us to help us identify what our child’s strengths are. Ask questions and be observers to work out your child’s strengths.
Until next time
Voula