Strength Based Approach
Shifting the Lens: A Strengths-Based Approach to Supporting ADHD
For years, conversations about ADHD have focused on deficits—what's "wrong," what's "missing," and what needs to be "fixed". This deficit-based model views neurodivergence as a disorder that creates failures, with the goal of making the individual fit into a system that wasn't designed for them.
But what if we shifted our perspective? A strengths-based approach to ADHD does exactly that. Instead of asking, "Why can't this student sit still?" it asks, "What amazing things can this student achieve when they have the freedom to move?".
This approach, with roots in positive psychology and the neurodiversity movement, views differences in cognitive processing as natural human variations. The goal isn't to "cure" or fundamentally change someone, but to modify the environment and build strategies that maximize their natural talents.
What a Strengths-Based Approach Looks Like in Practice
A strengths-based approach moves away from punishment and toward understanding and accommodation. Here's how it can be applied in different scenarios:
Written Output: A student with Dysgraphia or Dyslexia might struggle with slow, messy handwriting. A deficit-based response might penalize them for messy work. A strengths-based approach, however, provides tools like speech-to-text software or a scribe, and grades are based solely on the quality of their ideas, leveraging their verbal intelligence.
Focus and Movement: Instead of punishing an easily distracted student for fidgeting, a strengths-based application recognizes their need for stimulation. It provides accommodations like a standing desk, a wobble cushion, or movement breaks to help them regulate and focus.
Time Management: When a student with ADHD struggles with a long-term project, a deficit-focused response would penalize them for late submissions. A strengths-based response acknowledges their ability for hyperfocusand rapid task completion. The focus shifts to helping them visualize the end goal and use their intense bursts of work effectively.
Unlocking Neurodivergent Strengths
Once you start looking for strengths, you'll see how traits that cause friction in one setting can be powerful assets in another.
For ADHD: Look for hyperfocus, the ability to achieve intense concentration on tasks that are interesting, novel, or challenging. People with ADHD also often have a high level of energy, resilience, and divergent thinking—the ability to generate a large volume of creative ideas quickly.
For Autism: Individuals may demonstrate an exceptional ability to see systems, understand complex rules, and find anomalies. They may also have deep subject mastery in their areas of interest, along with high integrity and reliability.
For Dyslexia and Dyspraxia: People with these conditions often have visual-spatial reasoning and holistic thinking, which allows them to see the "big picture" before the details. They may also excel at narrative intelligence—strong verbal comprehension and the ability to grasp complex concepts through storytelling.
Simple Strategies to Apply a Strengths-Based Approach
Implementing a strengths-based approach can be a simple shift in mindset and practice. Here are some "low effort, high impact" strategies to get you started:
Modify the Environment: A strengths-based approach focuses on modifying the environment to work for the individual. This can include using visual timers, providing fidget toys, or adjusting lighting to reduce sensory overload.
Build Scaffolds: Provide supports that work with an individual's strengths. For example, provide clear, step-by-step guides for tasks, break large projects into smaller chunks, or use visual prompts.
Mindful Communication: Your words matter. Instead of saying, "Just concentrate on the task," try "Let's try breaking this down into smaller steps". This acknowledges the challenge without judgment and offers a concrete strategy for moving forward.
By shifting our focus from deficits to strengths, we can help people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions not just survive, but truly thrive.