The Take a Look at Me TM Portfolio is a 20+ page book completed by an individual and/or his/her family to represent his/her own strengths, interests, hopes and dreams. The Portfolio offers a series of open- ended questions with space for the person to reflect, add artwork, and be creative. The intention of the Portfolio is to allow a person, along with family and friends, to reflect upon and demonstrate the hopes and dreams that are the foundations of building a healthy, well rounded and self-determined    life.   The Portfolio is useful in attaining each of the following goals: Building family supports Developing parent-professional communication Following developmentally appropriate practice Identifying natural learning opportunities Expanding the concept of inclusion by better understanding        individuals and their families Focusing on strengths-based practice Building on hopes and dreams                                                      "It just really helped the families Enhancing self-determination and empowering families                                 to open up." Increasing family involvement in programs, schools,                                  -Parent Center Trainer        and other environments Building early literacy upholding and honoring cultural diversity Using strengths-based assessment for children with disabilities Developing Individualized Family Service Plan and        Individualized Education Plan                          This unique tool was developed and designed by Mary Rugg, M.Ed. along with her colleagues at the      Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia.   This book emerged from discussions with professionals, service providers, families and children involved in early inclusion programs in Georgia.   Mary and her colleagues saw that there was a need to change the view of children with special      needs from one that was deficits-focused to one that looks at a child's own unique strengths and interests and helps him/her begin to be valued for those qualities. The Portfolio was developed as an   inclusive tool for expression and empowerment across all ages, abilities, and environments. It has    been used with families, schools, and community programs for children and adults with and without disabilities.                                 "You know what the average person                                   wants across any field of life? They                                   want people to know the real them.                                   This is good for anybody."     -Parent