About This Lesson
This presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of Character Strengths as a strengths-based approach to support neurodivergent individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Participants will learn how identifying personal strengths aligned with values and identity can empower neurodivergent individuals to take meaningful action in their lives. This session also highlights the potential for Character Strengths to drive systems-level change, reshaping the perspectives of families and healthcare professionals.
Led by Jiedi Lei, a clinical psychologist and research fellow at the University of Oxford, this resource provides practical strategies for creating supportive environments that enable authentic strengths use. Attendees will gain insights into enhancing self-esteem, fostering positive identity development, and protecting against mental health challenges for neurodivergent individuals. With a focus on a person-centered and strength-based approach, this presentation aims to help autistic children and young people build a positive self-identity while also developing and validating novel assessment tools for mental health interventions.
Here’s what you’ll get
- A full video presentation by Jiedi Lei exploring Character Strengths as a strengths-based approach for neurodivergent individuals
- Practical strategies for creating supportive and inclusive classroom environments
- Guidance on helping students enhance self-esteem, foster positive identity, and protect mental health
- Evidence-based insights into how strengths use can drive systems-level change with families, peers, and healthcare professionals
- Supplemental materials linking Character Strengths to daily classroom practices and interventions
Why you’ll love this activity
- Empowers teachers to see and celebrate students’ unique strengths, moving beyond deficits
- Offers actionable, person-centered strategies adaptable for diverse learners
- Supports autistic students in building positive self-identity while improving peer and teacher relationships
- Bridges research and practice with real-world application in schools, therapy, and home settings
- Aligns with inclusion-focused classroom culture
- The associated free unit study for Character Strengths comes with IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Ways to use
- Integrate into classroom lessons, social-emotional learning blocks, or advisory periods
- Use as a professional development tool for educators, therapists, and staff working with neurodivergent students
- Pair with strength spotting worksheets, reflection journals, and peer recognition activities
- Adapt for virtual or hybrid learning environments to ensure all students can participate and benefit
What are Character Strengths?
Positive Psychology researchers Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson created the Values in Action Survey, or The VIA. This 96-item VIA survey identifies your capacity to exhibit each of 24 Character Strengths. These 24 strengths were identified as being valued by humans across many cultures and holding value throughout history.
The skill of identifying character strengths centers on the question of “What is RIGHT with me?” and “Who am I at my BEST?” The science of character strengths is clear — a focus on what is right about ourselves and others has a tremendous impact on our wellbeing, relationships, and engagement. This is true of everyone, including students with autism. Employing Signature Character Strengths can help empower students in all aspects of their lives. Let’s shine a light on what is RIGHT with us and those around us so we might all flourish together.
Science of Character Strengths
The evidence is clear — knowing and using your strengths positively impacts your life. If you keep your strengths top of mind and live them each day, you're significantly more likely to thrive. Research indicates a three-pronged approach to character strengths is best — become aware, begin to explore, and continually find new ways to apply your strengths in order to thrive! Knowing and using your character strengths can:
- Improve mental, physical, and social health
- Boost greater happiness and overall wellbeing
- Increase work satisfaction and positive association with work
- Improve your relationships
- Buffer against the onset of mental health challenges
- Build psychological resilience
Benefits
- Using character strengths activities like Strengths BINGO can help students:
- Increase self-awareness and confidence
- Build empathy and positive peer connections
- Strengthen emotional understanding and communication
- Enhance engagement and motivation in learning
- Foster a sense of belonging and inclusion
Learn more about the science of Character Strengths.
Looking for more Character Strengths Resources?
Explore the free Character Strengths Unit Study which comes with teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.
Proof Positive’s resources are and will always be free. Be well!
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center.
