Gifted students have the capability to perform at higher levels compared to others in one or more domains. They require a differentiated and modified curriculum to ensure they are appropriately academically accommodated in the educational setting.
Gifted students experience a different intellectual, academic, social and emotional development trajectory than neurotypical students. They can present with high achievement in only one domain, be gifted with a learning difficulty, underperform or achieve below average grades. Gifted students may present with all these characteristics or only one or two. There are many traits that gifted individuals have in common, but no gifted child will present the same or exhibit traits in every area.
Myths
There are many myths surrounding giftedness and what it means. Some common misconceptions are:
- Gifted students achieve ‘A’ grades in all subjects.
- They will achieve success regardless.
- Gifted students don’t require any support.
- Acceleration is harmful.
- A child cannot be gifted if they have a learning difficulty.
- Gifted students are fine in a regular classroom
- Gifted students excel at everything they do.
- Gifted students are always well behaved.
- Gifted students are not at educational risk.
What are some of the characteristics of a gifted child?
Gifted students present in many ways. They are unique and often have very different characteristics to each other. They may have one or more of the following characteristics:
- High expectations of themselves, resulting in frustration and escalation of behaviour.
- Perfectionistic tendencies.
- Seeks complexity and demonstrates mature abstract thinking skills.
- Presents with high levels of anxiety or frustration.
- Divergent interests, intense focus on passions and reluctance to change topics.
- Need for constant stimulation, intellectual curiosity.
- Mature or quirky sense of humour.
- High emotional intensity.
- Aware and concerned with global issues.
- Mature problem solving skills.
- Creative and imaginative.
- Deep sense of justice and equity.
- Avid reader.
Are the characteristics the same for gifted toddlers?
All gifted children are unique, however there are some characteristics that can be prominent in the very early years. Be aware that not all gifted toddlers will demonstrate all these traits. Your child may present with only a few of the following.
All gifted children are unique, however there are some characteristics that can be prominent in the very early years. Be aware that not all gifted toddlers will demonstrate all these traits. Your child may present with only a few of the following.
- Early reader.
- Alert and interactive.
- Mature expressive language skills.
- Sophisticated vocabulary.
- Sensory or tactile challenges.
- Keen interest in numbers, letters, and written words.
- Alert and interactive infants.
- Mature or sophisticated sense of humour.
- Creative and imaginative.
- Often presents with ‘sensory’ or tactile issues, such as food, textures.
- Displays early literacy and numeracy awareness.
Diagnosis
If you think your child may be gifted, you will need to make an appointment with a clinical psychologist, who will administer the Stanford Binet or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition (WISC-V). Administration of the WISC-V will give a full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and/or a general ability index (GAI).
Felicity Naylor is a clinical psychologist with more than 25 years’ experience in private practice. She specialises in giftedness, AD/HD and autism spectrum disorder.
Contact Hayley on 9245 5559 for an appointment with Felicity.
Next Steps
Once your child has been diagnosed it is important to take a breath, process what this
means and what the next step is. Some children may be gifted with a learning difficulty or are
twice exceptional (2E) which will take you on another journey altogether. It is important to understand what this means and where you can access support.
Estelle provides an advisory service and can help support parents when approaching the school regarding the results of the WISC-V and other standardised achievement tests.
See Navigating the School
Students at Educational Risk
Traditionally students who have a learning difficulty at school or perform well below their peers, may have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to target and achieve educational outcomes. Parents are required to sign the document to acknowledge its implementation.
Plans are developed when a child has been diagnosed with a learning difficulty or other disorders.
Gifted students are also at educational risk if they are not being accommodated academically. Often, they are missed because they may be compliant, masking or just wanting to fit in. These children who are neuro diverse, 2E or ASD also require accommodations which may include a differentiated academic program that challenges and stimulates them, sensory breaks, social stories, a visual timetable or any other specific resource that they may need at school
Estelle provides guidance to parents who may need clarification or have concerns regarding this process.
Contact Estelle