falvey-reframing-weakness

Reframing Weaknesses as Strengths and Needs

(Try this at your next IEP meeting!)

Instead of these weakness statements…

“James is low functioning.”

…try these strength statements

“Ali is nonverbal.”

“Miguel is a nonreader.”

“Nate has behavior problems.”

“James has good daily living skills (dressing, eating).”

…and these needs statements

“Ali uses facial expressions to communicate.”

“Miguel listens to stories read by others.”

“Jia is an independent thinker and has a good sense of what she wants.”

“James needs systematic instruction and accommodations to learn the core curriculum.”

“Ali needs systematic instruction and access to assistive technology to expand her communication skills.”

“Nate is assertive and able to advocate for himself.”

“Miguel needs systematic reading instruction, beginning with pictures.”

“Nate needs to be taught social skills by using social stories that provide various situations and appropriate social responses.”

“Jia needs to learn to follow those directions that are essential for quality of life.”