Identifying Strengths of Children with Special Needs Using Multiple Intelligence Theory

The present research is a pilot study, qualitative and exploratory in nature. It involves an intrinsic case study of a child who is diagnosed as mild high functioning autistic by Psychologists. The present study is an attempt to identify autistic child's strengths based on multiple intelligence theory and derive linkages between multiple intelligence and inclusive curriculum and further develop enrichment kits for teachers and therapists to help in assessing the strengths of their students with autism and develop inclusive curriculum for them. The study was carried out at Parvarish Multidisciplinary Research Centre for Exceptional Abilities and Special Needs Children in Gurgaon, India. The data was collected through semi structured interview schedule, Parent checklist, hands on resources and focal child observation both in structured and unstructured setting. The results of the present study highlighted that greater emphasis on identifying strengths based on multiple intelligence theory are likely to have a larger role in special education. It can act as means of developing appropriate educational programs for these children. If emphasis is placed on the strengths and abilities of special needs children it may increase the chances of getting them into right vocation and success in job. The validity of enrichment kit to be used in assessing the strengths of autistic children by the teachers or therapist is to be ascertained once the results from sources using the kit is gathered.