Positive psychology and special education

Positive psychology is a stream that focuses on the conditions and processes involved in the development and optimal functioning of individuals, groups and institutions (Gable & Haidt, 2005). Its approach to the classification, evaluation and development of character strengths appears to be particularly relevant in the pedagogical and educational fields to address self-knowledge and existential development with young people. The present research, a pilot phase of a larger project, shows how a character strengths assessment and development tool was created and implemented in a special education classroom based on current research in positive psychology. It then assesses the benefits and impacts of such an approach.