8/13/2019 Is My Child Gifted Brochure 2007

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Is My ChildGifted?

What Should I My Child i

Family members play ain providing learning expcan recognize and build otalents you witness in youyour children’s curiosity achildren find activities thechildren opportunities to

they explore the wonder children, young gifted chneed to become comfortawith trying new things anlearning from mistakes. Wyour child has mastered oactivity, present an oppo

 for new challenges. Recogthat your child may be re

 for experiences earlier thaother children, and that hher questions and intereschallenge you. Educate ychildren and about learni

them in your community.when you wish to consultphysician or a psychologiworking with gifted childr

All children are special and have their ownareas of strength. However, some children haveunusually advanced abilities that require specialadjustments at home and school to help themgrow and learn. As you watch your child grow anddevelop, you may notice skills or characteristicsthat are quite different from those of other children

the same age. For example, your child may:•   Be very curious and observant•   Use adult-sounding words and reasoning•   Think of many unusual ideas•   Recognize complex patterns or relationships•   Come to surprising solutions to problems•  Show a strong memory•  Ask unusual questions•   Demonstrate advanced talent in a certain

area (such as mathematics, science,writing, art, music, or drama)

•   Learn letters or numbers early and readbefore being formally taught

Children can show giftedness in a variety of ways, and often parents are the first to noticespecial abilities. If you are seeing a number of thesebehaviors in your children, it might be a signal thattheir development is somewhat advanced.

National Association f1707 L St., NW, Suite 5Washington, DC 2003Phone: 202 785 4268Email: nagc@nagc.orgWeb: www.nagc.org

Supporting Emotional P.O. Box 488Poughquag, NY 12570Phone: 845 226 4660Email: office@sengiftedWeb: www.sengifted.or

You should visit the websites of twonational organizations for premier resourcesand information about gifted children and thesupports they need at home and at school.

The Internet also provides ready access toinformation about giftedness and is often the best

 first step in finding the information you need toguide your child. You can also contact your statedepartment of education and your state’s giftededucation association for information about yourstate’s policies and resources to supportgifted children.

Where Can I Get More Information?

I s  M y  C h i l d G i  f  t e d ? 

A Se r v i ce B u l le t i n b y

 Na t i o na l A s s o c ia t i o n f o r

 G i f ted C h i ld re n (  NA G C )

a nd

 S u p p o r t i ng E m o t i o na l

 Need s o f t he G i f ted (  S E N G )

© 2007 National Association for Gifted Children

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Physicians can provide guidance, and referrals fochildren. Your pediatriciapatterns of development,understand if certain aspdevelopment might be ad

your child is highly advanattention, or if you feel ybehavioral or learning difcan refer you to psycholoprofessionals for appropr

Pediatricians and familare general physicians tradiagnose, and treat command giftedness is not a mpediatricians and family p

 familiar with giftedness abehavior and developmenphysician and your child child’s unusual abilities as

assessment. It is importainformation that enables helpful to parents of gifte

Some gifted children also have disabilitiesthat impact learning, including Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learningdisabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and otherchallenges. In these cases, schools and familiesshould provide support to respond to both the

giftedness and the learning difficulty. In somecases, behavioral interventions and medicationare possible responses.Education and medicalprofessionals will helpto make an appropriateintervention plan

 for children with thesetypes of dualexceptionalities, but itis important that thecharacteristics of giftedness be considered in that planning.

It is important to know that some gifted

children, particularly those with high energy anddifficulty with self-control or focus who are notchallenged in school or at home, can showbehaviors similar to those of a child with adiagnosis of ADHD.

It is important formedical professionalsto include attention toa child’s ability andschool environment inmaking an assessment

 for ADHD.

Some gifted children may show strengthsacross all academic areas and continue to excelthroughout school. Other gifted children mayexcel in one area, but be average or evenbelow average in another area. Still other giftedchildren may start by showing high achievement

across all areas, but later demonstrate highability only in one or two areas. It is notuncommon for gifted children to show anuneven pattern of performance. However, if achild is significantly struggling in an area,consultwith school professionals about the possibility of a learning disability. Children can be gifted andalso have a learning disability. A trainedpsychologist and school personnel can worktogether to develop an educational plan thatwill respond to both the giftedness and thelearning disability.

Gifted children are children first, and likeall children may sometimes misbehave.Although giftedness itself doesn’t causebehavior problems, some of the specialcharacteristics of giftedness may affectbehavior. For example, gifted children are oftenintense and strong-willed. Some gifted childrenare overly perfectionistic and impatient withthemselves and others. Gifted children mayalso sound so adult-like that parents sometimesexpect behavior beyond their children’s

level of maturity. In school, gifted children maysometimes act out because they are not beingacademically challenged.

You know your child better than anyoneelse, and that makes you your child’s bestadvocate. Gifted learners benefit when parentsand schools work in partnership to recognizeand respond to children’s advanced learningneeds. Consult with your child’s teacher to learn

more about what is happening in the classroomand to share observations about your child’sstrengths and interests. There may be giftedprograms, gifted specialists, or other resourcesin your school or district to help you and yourchild. Many options exist for gifted children,including enrichment pull-out classes, clustergrouping, subject or grade skipping, independentstudies, and summer or weekend gifted programs.You and the school can work together todetermine the best program to meet your child’sneeds. Learn about parent advocacy andadvisory groups in your district and how youcan get involved. Some school districts are very

responsive to the needs of gifted children, whileothers are not. It is important to be respectfuland patient, but equally important to persevereand be determined.

What Should I Do If I BelieveMy Child Isn’t Sufficiently

Challenged in School?

What If My Child ShowsStrengths in Some Areas And

Weaknesses in Others?

Can Giftedness Cause

Behavior Problems?

Can Children with Behaviorand Learning Difficulties

Also Be Gifted?

How CaHealth Care P

Hel