Sherri Fisher
Sherri is the first learning specialist in the world to have UPenn’s MAPP degree. She has written over 50 articles and contributed to two collections in the Positive Psychology News series: Resilience: How to Navigate Life’s Curves, Gratitude: How to Appreciate Life’s Gifts, and Character Strengths Matter.
Sherri is also co-author of the popular positive education book, SMART Strengths. Here’s a review by Christine Duvivier.
Sherri’s articles are here.
3 comments
Hi Sherri,
I am currently starting my dissertation (to obtain an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of East London) on Positive Psychology and Autism, specifically looking at the ways children with autism use strengths. I am having trouble finding relative literature and thought you may know of some I have yet to find. I know Positive Psychology is only recently venturing into the world of special needs and special education so anything you might know of would be useful to me at this stage.
Thank you,
Chelsea
Hi, Chelsea-
That is an interesting question and one for which I do not have the answer. As a practitioner rather than a researcher, I am in the “applied” world of PP. There are numerous ways that strengths operate for good for my clients with learning issues.
In the case of autism, there is such a broad spectrum of needs that I would suggest you look at Aspergers, for example. Those students typically understand data and rules quite well and are interested in research and proof even when they have social difficulties. My students with Aspergers like strengths language and naming strengths, and looking for ways that they can be used to get a better outcome is a good fit for them.
A bit of advice: Education research is always fraught with confounds, so read those “limitations of the study” carefully. I’d love to hear more about what you discover through your study!
Cheers,
Sherri
Dear Sherri,
Are you the counselor that I met with a couple of times in San Diego, many years ago? I’ve been wanting to say thank you for a long time. The tapes from our sessions still hold value for me, all these years later. I would love to go into detail, if this is the Sherri Fisher that I seek, in a more private arena. Feel free to contact me at the email provided to this site.
Aloha, Dawn