Looking for strengths first

Children are increasingly diagnosed with autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning disorders. A new research paper is urging that assessments focus on the positive as well.

When a child struggles with making friends, focusing in class or keeping up with peers, parents often turn to clinical assessments to find answers. But a team of Sydney University neurological experts are asking what happens if the script is flipped, to look not at what’s going wrong, but what’s going right?

Adam Guastella, Kelsie Boulton and Natalie Silove have developed a ‘strengths checklist’ to help families identify these positive characteristics. Their study is challenging the traditional deficit-focused approach to disability by spotlighting children's strengths during neurodevelopmental assessments.

The Child Autism and Neurodevelopment Strengths Checklist (CANS) uses data from nearly 700 families that can help parents and clinicians to identify positive traits. This ‘checklst’ looks at abilities. from creativity and kindness to persistence and passions.

The idea is simple but powerful: when children and families recognise what’s working, they feel more motivated, confident and connected. Strengths can become the foundation for therapies, support plans, and everyday strategies that actually work.

This shift is especially vital in settings like the NDIS, where families are often required to list what their child can’t do to qualify for help. By focusing equally on what children can do, researchers hope to transform support into something more empowering.

A more detailed description of their project on the Conversation’s website can be read by pressing the link below.