Resources for Parents of Gifted Children

The internet is a valuable resource for parents. However, the vast amount of information can be staggering at times. If you are a parent of a child exhibiting signs of giftedness, you may feel uncertain as to where to turn. Here we will explore some wonderful resources to help you identify, support, and enrich the life of your gifted son or daughter.

Identify

The first task for you as a parent is to assess whether or not your child is gifted. NACG (National Association for Gifted Children) is a great place to start. They have a large data base that provides parents with information, support and tools. You can also find a wonderfully detailed characteristic checklist here . It comprehensively explores the many areas of intelligence and traits that gifted children in each category display.

Deborah Ruf has written a book entitled "Losing Our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind." Using test scores, evaluations and developmental milestones, she has created a classification system for gifted children. She has identified 5 different levels of giftedness and explains that giftedness is on a continuum rather than an "either/or" mentality. She provides detailed information to help parents assess the level of giftedness in their child and recommendations for educational modifications.

Support

Understanding your gifted child is of upmost importance as these children tend to be complex, intense and embody multiple developmental stages simultaneously. Dabrowski has succinctly compiled a list of the 5 most common "over-excitabilities" that gifted children experience. You can read Stephanie Tolan's synopsis of these "over-excitabilities" here . It provides parents with information that can help normalize some of the idiosyncrasies displayed by many gifted children.

In addition, it is not uncommon for gifted children to have multiple exceptionalities. This is a term that refers to children who are gifted and also diagnosed (and often misdiagnosed) with other disorders such as anxiety, ADHD and autism. SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) is a resource for gifted persons of all ages. You can explore this issue of multiple exceptionality in their article library .

Many gifted children are also highly sensitive. This characteristic can contribute to their level of intensity. Elaine Aron has written many books on the subject of highly sensitive people and has a website addressing the issue. You can find a self-test you can take on behalf of your child here . If you discover that your child is also highly sensitive, you can be better equipped and informed to address his or her unique needs.

You may find that you need personalized support. If so, you can check out the Gifted Development Center where you can access professionals who provide individualized phone consultation services (Dial-Log).

Enrich

Once you have determined that your child is gifted and informed yourself on their unique needs, you will need to don another hat. You will have to become their advocate in his or her school setting. The University of Connecticut is home to the Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development . They conduct ongoing research in the field of gifted education. They have a vast library of study results and informational brochures. You can find research-based data here that can help you in your quest to work with your gifted child's school in order to provide him or her with the most enriching education possible (click on "educator" for the correct listing).

Some parents find that a traditional school setting is insufficient for their gifted child's needs and choose to home school in order to provide the necessary enrichment. Listed below are some curriculum options for parents of gifted children to explore (they are listed by subject).

Math : The Life of Fred , Singapore Math ; Language, Social Studies, Writing, Science, Reading, Grammar: Moving Beyond the Page ; Art: Artistic Pursuits

Furthermore, you can provide an enriching environment for your gifted child with no special resources at all. You can wonder together, ask probing questions, think abstractly, and explore your environment. You may not always know the answers to his or her many questions, but you can know where to find them. Exploring together is one of the great benefits of having a gifted child.