Gifted FAQ
What is asynchronous development?
Often gifted children have a mismatch between their emotional, physical, and cognitive levels of development. Their skill levels in varying areas develop at different rates. Social skills aren't always in sync with their intellectual level or chronological age. A child may have very advanced intellectual skills but delayed fine motor skills. Perhaps their math skills are developing at a different rate than their language arts skills. Routinely gifted children are lumped together and expected to perform at similar rates in academic settings. This can create an internal struggle for gifted children and affect their social-emotional development. Teachers and parents need to understand that one size doesn't fit all. Each child is an individual who will develop in their unique way. Guidance to understanding the path can be supported through parent coaching. Therapy can help support the social-emotional needs of gifted children and adolescents.
What does twice-exceptional mean?
Twice-exceptional learners are identified as gifted and meet the criteria for a disability. Disabilities for twice-exceptional learners can include learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorder, physical disabilities, and other health concerns like ADHD. Supporting twice-exceptional learners can be challenging. Sometimes a learning disability is missed because a student is performing on grade level, and the teachers aren't aware of the child's high potential. Other times gifted identification is being missed because the disability is masking it. Seeking treatment is often advisable if you are concerned your child might fall in this category. Testing on an individual basis by a psychologist can help sort out the youth's strengths and struggles which will better help you and the school get your child on the right path.
My child feels anxious when they take a test, Is that something I would take them to therapy for?
A certain amount of anxiety about a test can be a positive thing. Anxious feelings encourage a child to study and prioritize the test. However, when anxious feelings become overwhelming and affect performance, sleep, and concentration, it is time to get help. There could be many factors leading to "test anxiety" or underperformance on tests, and it is best to address issues when they first arise.
I'm confused by all the testing done at school, Is my child gifted?
Schools give a variety of standardized tests, some of which identify giftedness and some that do not. Being identified as gifted doesn't always mean being served, and the school's guidelines can be challenging to understand. The tests are also typically done in large group settings, and a child may have a gifted score at one sitting and not the next. It is confusing and overwhelming. Parent support groups or your school's gifted department can provide guidance for general questions. Specific concerns around how your child is testing or inconsistencies in testing results may want to be reviewed with a psychologist.
My child is gifted so why aren't they doing well in school?
It isn't always easy to understand why gifted youth don't meet expectations. Social issues, psychological issues, undiagnosed learning disabilities, and low teacher expectations can lead to underachievement. At times it can appear a child has just given up, but usually, there is an underlying reason. Try talking with your child without judgment and without putting pressure on them. They may not understand why themselves. That is when it is time to reach out for help.