Gifted and Talented Resources for Families
GT Family Resource Guide provides a brief overview of giftedness, as well as books, websites, and videos on a variety of GT related topics.
Please click HERE for the 22-23 Family Collaboration request form
A Short Guide to Giftedness
A common misconception is that students that are ahead of peers academically are gifted. While this is sometimes true, a gifted student may or may not be academically advanced. Though some advanced students are gifted, many are not. What then is gifted/talented if it does not necessarily mean academically advanced? There are a variety of ways giftedness is defined, however students are often identified by their score being within the top 5% of all students of their age on intelligence or academic tests. Some skill areas identified for gifted students may also include leadership, the arts, or a particular subject; however, giftedness is always related to being exceptional (unusually good or outstanding) relative to peers. Giftedness may relate to particular skills (sometimes referred to as talents) but many tests are looking for a student’s potential. Traditional IQ tests are used to examine a student’s cognitive abilities. IQ tests are typically examining things like: vocabulary, memory, processing information, learning of new tasks, and connections / understandings across a variety of areas. These are areas often thought of as “gifted”. Other traits many have researched that may not be thought of as “gifted” but are often noted include: emotional intensity, sensitivity, advanced humor, perfectionism, feeling different than others, and creative / unique thinking. Some of these traits can lead to struggles for gifted students. If they are not cultivated and worked with, students may “check out” of school work, get into trouble in general, and have feelings of anxiety or depression.
Giftedness is not something that just appears and disappears. Just as a person identified as intellectually disabled continues to have that disability, a person that is gifted continues to be gifted. It may or may not translate into actual skills. Students that are gifted, if not motivated or focused, may not be learning a great deal. A person can be gifted and be behind in some areas while advanced in others. A person can also be gifted, but struggle because of being “twice exceptional” with a disability such as ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, or other disabilities. This often confuses people who equate giftedness with always being “really good” in academics and not having areas of struggle.
RESOURCES (For Families)
General (Advice and Information on Academic, Social/Emotional Issues for All Kinds of GT Learners)
Social/Emotional
Twice Exceptional (2e)
Underachievement
https://www.davidsonacademy.unr.edu/blog/underachievement-in-gifted-students/ – Article
