“What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.”
-Chuck Grassley
gifted (adjective): having great natural ability
What does it mean to have a gifted child, or to be gifted, yourself? It can mean so many things, but like with everything else, each child expresses their abilities uniquely.
Some children are a few grade levels ahead in all subjects. Some children are 10 grade levels ahead in a single subject, but at grade level or behind in another. Some students are gifted in subtle ways - in social emotional development, creativity or in spatial awareness and problem solving.
Many gifted students are also twice exceptional (2e), that is, gifted with a diagnosis such as ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that make learning in a structured environment challenging.
In short - there is no one size-fits-all model of what it means to be gifted, or to have a gifted child. A child can be gifted in any number of ways - and not all of them are obvious.
Gifted can mean…
Unusual alertness, even in infancy
Rapid learner; puts thoughts together quickly
Excellent memory
Thinking is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful
Unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age
Advanced comprehension of word nuances, metaphors and abstract ideas
Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles
Often self-taught reading and writing skills as preschooler
Learns basic skills quickly and with little practice
Deep, intense feelings and reactions
Gifted can also mean…
Defiant; Labeled a “Troublemaker”
Highly sensitive; Melts down often
Attention issues; Fluctuates from intense focus, to none
Preoccupied with own thoughts; Daydreamer
Highly developed curiosity; Asks probing questions
Wide range of interests, or an extreme focus in one area
Interest in experimenting and doing things differently; Won’t follow directions
Puts idea or things together in ways that are not typical for their age
Keen and/or unusual sense of humor; Acts out at school
Vivid imagination; imaginary friends, situational ideation, fearful
What do the experts say?
David Lubinski and Camilla Benhow led a study out of Vanderbilt University titled, ‘Study of Mathematical Precocious Youth (SMPY)’.
This study tracked 300 gifted children from age 13 until age 38. These children/teens/adults logged their accomplishments in academia, business, culture, health care, science and technology. Results can be found by clicking here. Below is a video of David Lubinksi discussing the study and results/significance.
REFERENCES
Lubinski, D., Benhow, C., & Vanderbilt University. (2005). Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth After 35 Years. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 1(4). https://my.vanderbilt.edu/smpy/files/2013/02/DoingPsychScience2006.pdf
