Adopting the Power of Strengths Based Approaches

Abstract

People with psychiatric and mental health conditions along with other disabilities have endured a long trajectory of inequalities and missed opportunities that have resulted in less than ideal conditions. This longstanding viewpoint has translated into and affected operations and treatment of students in the special education sector. A central factor that is significantly involved in this pervasive and prevalent issue is the mindset of deficit thinking which states that there is something inherently wrong with students who have exceptionalities. Such mindset leads to misaligned treatment and instruction and exacerbates developmental concerns. Key contributors in deficit thinking in the exceptional education arena involve a variety of methodologies that would benefit from changes in humanistic approaches. This chapter discusses key issues that comprise deficit thinking, principles and values that enhance the experience toward success in exceptional education. Discussion of potential solutions are also explored.