What can we do to meet their needs?

Gifted Truth or Consequences! Gifted students are social isolates by nature and prefer to be alone. You can tell a gifted student by the grades and classroom performance. Gifted students are at risk of underachievement. Gifted students will make it on their own. Peer tutoring is a form of differentiation. Perfectionism is the result of a pushy parent. Accelerating students causes social problems. Gifted kids are all egotistical and elitist. FALSE TRUE FALSE

Gifted students are those who: Acquire and retain information quickly Are able to conceptualize Are inquisitive; Question everything Hold high expectations of self and others Possess sensitivity; empathy Possess high energy; alertness; eagerness Possess large vocabulary Seeks cause-effect relationships Is independent; nonconforming Possess strong sense of humor; See humor in unusual places Is creative; inventive; seeks new way of doing things Requires mental stimulation; Enjoys problem-solving Have diverse interests

What’s bad about being good? Learns Quickly Impatient with others; Impatient with self; Fails to learn Task Persistence High Expectations of Self and Others Perfectionistic; Difficulty tolerating mistakes; May become depressed High energy; Alertness; Eagerness Frustration with slow pace; May be seen as hyperactive; Needs stimulation Heightened sensitivity; Empathy; Desire for acceptance Sensitive to criticism; Takes on the problems of others; Heightened sense of rejection Diverse interests and abilities; Versatility Appears “flighty”; Frustration with lack of time; Inability to choose among options; May become over-extended

What’s a parent/teacher to do? Provide appropriate challenge Teach problem-solving skills; active listening Teach accountability; don’t provide false rescue Support diverse explorations of interests Teach task commitment and perseverance Teach executive function skills Provide peer group of “kindred spirits” Provide instruction and materials at appropriate level Address skill gaps Teach leadership skills Be alert to symptoms of underachievement and address Use goal setting (short and long term) to establish perspective

Pay attention to: Uneven development Peer relations Negative self-talk Perfectionism Depression Avoidance of risk-taking Expectations of others Multipotentiality

You can make a difference in the areas of…….. School and community culture & norms Awareness and understanding among healthcare community Parent networking on behalf of gifted students Educational responsiveness Appropriate opportunities available beyond the school