I don't throw the G word around in public freely. We parents understand that though it, too, is a unique need it doesn't compare to what mainstream society thinks of as a special need. Special needs garner sympathy and regional support but gifted gets neglected and will always elicit envy amongst those that don't live with it daily. My children's energy is demonstrative. We don't need to label their intensities out in the world as it is generally apparent to anyone who is around them for more than five minutes. Their giftedness is palpable.
It would be wonderful if everyone understood the nature of giftedness and the support required to help gifted children develop optimally, but sadly that is not the current situation. In addition to high intellect comes a variety of perplexing behaviors that often get pathologized when necessary accommodations are not in place. Gifted children are quite different in how they navigate the world and we use the term to identify a set of characteristics that one can expect to experience with gifted children. The label is there like any other descriptive label, it is just that this label seems to offend the "normal" population.
You can call it whatever you want but it doesn't change what gifted is and what gifted isn't. Gifted is a neurological condition that permeates cultural, ethnic and socio-economic boundaries and has nothing to do with privilege or elitism.
Those of us in the gifted world understand exactly what gifted means. We are here to support and educate gifted families on this unique and complex path. We know that giftedness and high achievement often are not always synonymous. We appreciate that giftedness is not a guarantee that one will have success in life. We are aware that gifted children feel different from others and that may impact social opportunities. We research and support gifted children with dual or multiple exceptionalities and how best to serve them. We empathize with their depth of consciousness and acute sensitivities. We embrace their alternative views about the world and help foster positive self-concept and promote authenticity. We are cognizant that many gifted children have a deep emotional range that requires healthy, loving support. We realize that one size fits all thinking will never apply to gifted children. We accept that being gifted is a lifelong journey of self-discovery. We understand that gifted is neuroatypical wiring.
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FB: Amy Golden Harrington / Gifted Unschooling
FB: Amy Golden Harrington / Gifted Unschooling
This blog is part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page inaugural Blog Hop on The “G” Word (“Gifted”). To read more blogs in this hop, visit this Blog Hop at
I appreciate this article. I was a gifted child (and adult I suppose) and I "let my parents down" because they expected so much from me. I was an emotional basket case, was put on medication and in therapy at 14, and it took many years to get a handle on myself. Now, as an adult, I have opted to be a homemaker and mother rather than a scientist or doctor as my parents had always dreamed. My daughter is also gifted, though very young still, and hopefully my experiences have left me more than prepared to take on what's to come!
ReplyDeleteHi. I stumbled on this blog and are identifying right away. You must be a gifted adult too. I have 3 of the chaotic brilliance you talk about, a brothe who studied medicine and got depressed afterwards so he isnt practicing, a mother who speaks in parables and was never understood by her siblings- you could call it a generational string of chaotic bliss. I wound up a teacher though when I speak I get people confuse me with a lawyer or some Dr, I enjoy it but not for long. Dealing with giftedness can be awkward to say the least. When your 8 yr old asks you quantum physics in the middle of the mall and you have people staring at you like you are some serious show off! Am learning to survive it all gracefully though
ReplyDeleteThe world is full of jealousy anymore. People simply can't just be happy for others, be it regarding intelligence or good grades or being successful, no; they want to bring everyone to the same level, to fit everyone into the same "box" and life just isn't like that.
ReplyDeleteRead this, maybe you have gifted child in home
ReplyDeleteLeer antes de medicar a los niƱos
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