Event Recap

Strength-Based IEPs with Dr. Caitlin Solone

Published: Oct. 26, 2021Updated: Nov. 7, 2024

Strength-based IEPs focus on the strengths and skills your child already has instead of focusing on limitations or deficits, positioning students with disabilities as valuable, capable, and contributing members of their classrooms and communities.

Dr. Caitlin Solone — education advocate, teacher educator, and faculty at UCLA — talked with us about why vision statements can be transformative tools, why strength-based IEPs are more important than ever, and how to navigate the least-restrictive environment now that many kids are back at school. For some highlights, check out the clips below or watch the full recording with transcript here.

Vision statement

Have you heard of developing a vision statement for your child? In this clip, Dr. Solone why it's important to have one when you sit down with your IEP team and what it could look like.

Need a template for including your vision statement in your child's IEP? Check out the one Dr. Solone helped create for Undivided members:

Strength-based vs. deficit-based

Some parents hear the phrase "strength-based IEP" and worry that by only focusing on the positives, their children won't get the services and supports they truly need. But rather than avoiding talking about deficits at all, creating a strength-based IEP means approaching those areas of need with tools for making progress. Listen to this clip for Dr. Solone's explanation of how to use a child's strength to structure their IEP goals.

Inclusion

Dr. Solone is a huge advocate of including kids with varying support needs in general education classrooms. Check out the clip below to hear her explain why inclusion is beneficial and what parents can do if they encounter resistance from the school.

Need more IEP support? Undivided can help you understand the services your child may be entitled to, learn how to advocate while fostering collaboration, and get expert tips so you can enter your IEP meeting feeling prepared and confident. Read about our IEP services here! And for more information on strength-based IEPs, read our article How to Develop a Strength-Based IEP!

Contents

Overview

Vision statement

Strength-based vs. deficit-based

Inclusion

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Related Resources

How to Develop a Strength-Based IEP

3 Tips from Parents for Advocating for Your Child in an IEP Meeting

Rewriting Goals for an IEP: Let's Fix Those Goals!

Author

Brittany OlsenUndivided Editor

An editor and cartoonist who loves using words and images to simplify and share ideas. She has ten years of experience as a copy editor and lives near Portland, Oregon. She often spends her free time going on nature walks with her dog or trying new bread recipes.

Reviewed by Meghan O'Dell, Undivided Writer and Editor

Contributors Dr. Caitlin Solone, Education advocate, teacher-educator, and Academic Administrator for the Disability Studies program at UCLA

Each piece of content has been rigorously researched, edited, and vetted to bring you the latest and most up-to-date information. Learn more about our content and research process here.

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