Whole Child Snapshot & Strength Based School Communication

When we change the way we talk about our children, we change the way the world sees them, and how they see themselves. 

This page introduces two simple and practical tools, the Whole Child Snapshot and the Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet, that help you share your child’s story with schools in a way that is clear, positive, and actionable.

Communicating the Whole Child

As parents, we know our children are more than their challenges. They are creative, curious, and capable, even if they need support in certain areas. The key is learning how to communicate this in a way that schools can hear, act on, and partner with us.

That is why we created a short video (approx. 5 minutes) to walk you through two practical tools:

• Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet

• Introducing My Child: A Whole Child Snapshot

Together, they help you share your child’s story in a way that is both positive and actionable.

Tool 1: The Whole Child Snapshot

The Introducing My Child Snapshot is a one-page overview you can share with teachers, counselors, and support staff. It captures:

• Interests and passions

• Social-emotional cues

• Sensory preferences

• Support needs, scaffolds, and more…

Think of it as your child’s introduction letter. It is clear, positive, and practical. It ensures educators see not only what your child struggles with, but also what lights them up and helps them thrive.

Tool 2: The Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet

The words we use matter. If we only describe our child in terms of their struggles, schools may unintentionally see them as a list of deficits. The Strength-Based Language Cheat Sheet helps you reframe common concerns into affirming, constructive statements.

For example:

• Instead of: “She gets distracted easily.”

• You might say: “She notices many things in her environment and has a wide curiosity. With tools for focus, she can channel that curiosity productively.”

This tool includes many examples like this, along with a simple formula you can use to create your own reframes. This way, you will always have language that keeps the conversation strengths-focused, reduces defensiveness, and points directly to strategies that can help.

Why It Matters

Advocating for your child does not have to mean conflict or constant explanations. With these tools, you walk into school meetings prepared, confident, and ready to highlight the whole child.

---

Read the Video Transcript Here

0:05 Hi everyone, Teresa from REEL. Today I want to share a quick look at some of the tools and ideas that might help you in so many different moments throughout the year. Whether you're introducing your child to a new teacher, preparing for an IEP meeting, or sending them off to camp, this information in the examples that I'll share come directly from our facilitated small group discussions.

0:31 In our back to school series, parents worked with these tools and adapted them to fit their family's unique needs. And while we started with back to school, these resources can be used year round anytime a new adult steps into your child's life.

0:50 Often adults who meet our child for the first time may only get a glimpse of who they are. Maybe they've heard how they behave in the classroom or they've seen what is written on a short intake form. But our kids are so much more than that.

1:07 That's why we created the whole child snapshot. It is a simple one-page tool that highlights your child's strengths, interests, support needs, and sensory and social emotional cues. Think of it as your child's quick start guide.

1:25 And here's some important information that we want you to do. Invite your child to fill it out with you. Their answers might surprise you and spark some insightful conversations on how they see themselves, the environments that they're in, and what they need to support them to be successful.

1:45 Here's an example. If you're starting a summer camp, you might make a note that says, "He or Shethrives when given a 5-minute heads up before transitions." Or for a teacher, you might include something like, "Layla loves science experiments and can get deeply focused when doing hands-on learning."

2:08 These small details help a new adult connect with your child more quickly and support them in the ways that matter. And remember, this document is not static. It is meant to change and grow with your child's strengths and evolving needs.

2:26 But it's not just about what we say, it's about how we say it. And that's where the language, strength-based language cheat sheet comes in. Too often, conversations focus only on challenges, things like attention issues, anxiety, or handwriting struggles.

2:47 When that happens, teams might lose sight of your child's abilities. Strength-based language helps us pair needs and strengths together so that educators can see a full picture of our child. For example, instead of saying Taylor gets distracted easily and might not finish their work, you could say Taylor is deeply curious and often notices details that others miss. With support for staying on task, Taylor can channel their curiosity and attention to detail into completing assignments.

3:26 You see the shift? You are naming the need, but you're also anchoring it in your child's strengths. This kind of framing is not only to keep the conversation more positive.

3:40 It's to help others like educators see that your child is capable and resourceful and not just a list of challenges.

3:49 As a reminder, strength-based language communication is not about sugar coating. It's about accuracy, advocacy, and creating a foundation for long-term impact. It does take practice. Many of us were raised in a culture that focused on weaknesses or struggles. So, it's natural that shifting our language feels new at first, but it's worth it.

4:17 We can use the cheat sheet before you write an email or you go into your parent teacher conferences or prepare for an IEP. Pull it out. Look over the phrases that capture your child's strengths and then practice pairing them with the support needs that they have.

4:36 And when you pair that with the whole child's snapshot, you are not only giving teachers and support staff a clearer picture of who your child is, you're also setting the tone for a collaborative and strength-based partnership all year long. I encourage you to download these tools, try them out with your child, and update them regularly as your child grows and their needs change because when we change the way we talk about our children, we change the way the world sees them and how they see themselves.

5:12 Both tools are available on our website along with many more resources. You can also join our online community through our website where you can connect with parents and caregivers who truly get it. You are not alone on this journey. Thanks for joining us.