The Conversation: Focusing on a child’s strengths can help them thrive after an ADHD, autism diagnosis

Parents often seek assessments for conditions such as autism and ADHD, focusing on challenges. A new strengths checklist helps identify children’s skills, boosting motivation and self-esteem. Research aims to integrate strengths into neurodevelopmental assessments for more effective, personalised support.

When parents are concerned about their child’s development, they often seek an assessment to address concerns and identify any conditions, such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or learning disorders. Common worries include difficulties making friends, focusing on tasks, or meeting educational goals. It might seem counter-intuitive, but assessments are starting to focus on a child’s strengths during this process.



This can create powerful opportunities to improve child and family outcomes, particularly when too much of the focus is on challenges in the family home, school, and play settings. There is, however, a lack of evidence about how to do such assessments and how certain strengths can be used in assessment..