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How Schools Can Support GT Parents
The best ways to communicate with parents are those that are regular in nature ~ text/email updates, newsletters, or personal invitations to school activities or events. Sometimes, spending a little extra time at regularly scheduled school meetings (parent-teacher conferences, welcome back to school night, etc.) may be all that is needed.
What information do parents of GT students need most from schools? Parents of GT students should be made aware of all the options available for their child; the entire range of academic programs K-12. Options including social-emotional interventions, enrichment opportunities through the school and out of school, and possible accommodations for twice-exceptional students. Parents should be given an opportunity to review all assessments/test scores relating to their child and be able to participate in planning sessions for IEPs or ALPs (when available). They should be given information on ways they can support their child at home.
Schools can engage and involve parents in their gifted learner’s education by inviting them to volunteer to organize or chaperone field trips, become a coach for academic competitions, or participate in classroom activities. They can provide information sessions for parents about gifted issues, gifted education, and resources available to them from state and national organizations. They can also list information on their websites for parents about online resources, local support or advocacy groups, and upcoming conferences.
Teachers can assist parents of newly identified GT students by sharing information on the criteria used to identify their child as gifted. They may periodically ask parents if they believe their child’s needs are being met and what more they’d like to see as part of their child’s education plan. Also, teachers can encourage parents to form or participate in a parent advocacy group. Oftentimes, parents can advocate for gifted programs in ways school personnel cannot.
What should teachers know about gifted education to best support parents? The best way to support parents is to become educated about gifted education and then share that information and resources with parents. Teachers may need to seek out PD at both the local level or online and consider attending gifted conferences to learn about the latest developments/research in gifted education.
How can tensions between parents and school personnel be minimized? Open channels of communication can go a long way in easing tensions between home and school. This can prevent unnecessary surprises for all involved. Teachers can reassure parents that they have their child’s best interest at heart; becoming a trusted ally can promote positive relationships between schools and parents.
A transcript of this chat can be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at 2PM NZDT/Noon AEDT/1 AM UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Wakelet. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
Resources:
How Do You Teach Parents to Advocate for their Child?
10 Steps to a Better Parent-School Partnership: Pre-action, not Re-action
The Teacher-Parent Connection: Tips for Working with the Parents of a Gifted Student
14 Things Gifted Students Want Teachers to Know
Teacher’s Survival Guide: Gifted Education (book)
Tips for Teaching Gifted Students
TEMPO Issue 1 2016: Advocating for Gifted Learners (pdf)
15 Ways to Help Gifted Kids Thrive in School (pdf)
Trying to Make School Better for Gifted Kids
Disclaimer: Some resources in our resources have affiliate links.
Image courtesy of Pixabay Pixabay License
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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Relationships in a Gifted Family
All families have different abilities among parents, siblings, and extended family. Parents need to understand (and most do) that each child is unique and not compare their children to one another. They should learn to choose their words wisely and recognize social situations requiring them to react thoughtfully in order to avoid negative interactions with friends and families.
How should a parent deal with extended family member who balk at the term ‘gifted’? Parents may want to avoid confrontation and reserve comments for more private encounters. When insensitive comments are made in the presence of the child, it may be necessary to address them in the moment; but not with the child present.
When gifted children start school, it may be the first time they face not being as intellectually challenged as they were in their early years at home. Parents should be prepared for the consequences of asynchronous development which may not be as prevalent until a child enters school. It may be necessary to inform teachers and staff.
Gifted and talented children can consume much of their parents’ time leaving other family members or each other feeling neglected. When parents agree on the nature of being highly-abled or talented, things go much more smoothly. Providing enrichment and opportunities for their child can often place a significant financial burden on parents.
What unique challenges do families with gifted children face during the holiday season? The holidays can be unsettling for gifted families when daily routines are disrupted. Parents of gifted children must cope with the high expectations of others at family gatherings. Some gifted children express empathetic feelings for others during the holidays at younger ages than expected – worries about world peace or concern for those less fortunate.
Fortunately, there are organizations, websites, books, and professional who work with gifted children to turn to today. Some of these include the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, SENG, the National Association for Gifted Children, Potential Plus UK, and the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children. A transcript of this chat may be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at 1PM NZDT/11 AM AEDT/1 AM UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Wakelet. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
Resources:
Nurturing Gifted Children’s Family Relationships
Sibling Relationships in Families with Gifted Children (pdf)
Exploring the Experiences of New Zealand Mothers Raising Intellectually Gifted (pdf)
Family Environment and Social Development in Gifted Students (pdf)
A Study of Parent Perceptions of Advanced Academic Potential in the Early Grades (pdf)
Health, Care and Family Problems in Gifted Children: A Literature Review (pdf)
Parenting Gifted Children to Support Optimal Development (pdf)
Giftedness and Family Relationships
Life in the Asynchronous Family
If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional
Holiday Stress: What Parents of Gifted Children Need to Know
The Young Gifted Child: a Guide for Families (pdf)
Multigenerational Giftedness: Perceptions of Giftedness Across Three Generations (pdf)
The Other Side of Being “Gifted”
Set Effective Boundaries with Your Gifted Child or Teen
Sprite’s Site: When Extended Family Don’t Get Giftedness
Sprite’s Site: On a Shoestring
Cybraryman’s Gifted Parenting Page
Sprite’s Site: Gifted Giving without the Buy, Buy, Buy
Sprite’s Site: I Love Christmas, BUT …
Photo courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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Living With and Managing Intensity
Intense gifted behaviors are expressed in many ways and often misinterpreted by professionals who lack training in recognizing them as related to giftedness. Intense behaviors for gifted individuals may include emotional outbursts, preferring to be alone, excessive talking, stubbornness, being ‘bossy’, or even appearing conceited.
Why shouldn’t these intense behaviors be pathologized in gifted children? Giftedness is not an illness. It should be understood; not diagnosed. Pathologizing gifted behavior can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate responses can harm the child. Pathologizing typical behavior for a gifted child can make the child feel there is something wrong with them; that they are somehow abnormal.
Asynchronous development, many ages at once, can exacerbate feelings associated with the maturing process. It’s essential that adults … parents, teachers, professionals … respect the child’s feelings regardless of chronological age.
Teachers can seek professional development about giftedness and how it relates to academics and SEL independently. They can develop a plan in advance (GIEP/IEP); watch for escalation patterns or signs of impending situation; and be prepared to take action such as removing student to a neutral setting. Teachers can advocate for modifications to the student’s learning experience and respect student voice.
Parents should actively build strong parent-child relationship based on respect, authentic conversation on intense emotions, empathy, and time spent together. They should refrain from threatening language keeping own emotions in check, learn to listen and anticipate intense situations, and practice their responses in advance.
What are some important factors when choosing a mental health professional? When looking for a mental health professional for assessment or counseling, parents should meet alone with them before introducing their child. They need to feel comfortable talking to them. It’s essential that mental health professionals self-identify as having worked with gifted individuals and have specific training in understanding giftedness.
A transcript of this chat can be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at Noon NZST/10 AM AEST/1 AM UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Wakelet. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Resources:
Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students
Best Tips for Parents of a GT Child
Self-Care for Parents of GT/2E Kids
Why Can’t They Loosen Up? Intensities of Gifted Youth
The Intrinsic Intensity of the Gifted Child
Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings (2nd ed.)
Parenting Gifted Kids is an Emotional Rollercoaster Here’s How to Find Great Peace
Befriending Anxiety to Reach Potential: Strategies to Empower Our Gifted Youth
Supporting Students with Gifted-Talented Potential In High Need Schools: A Portraiture Study (pdf)
The Bright Side of Overexcitabilities in Gifted Children
Emotional Intensity in Gifted Children (pdf)
Helping Gifted Children Cope with Intense Emotions
Giftedness and Intensity/Complexity
Your Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth
Coping with Emotional Intensity (pdf)
The Moral Sensitivity of Gifted Children and the Evolution of Society (Silverman)
Talented and Gifted Presentation by Jim Delisle (pdf)
Sprite’s Site: Stories of the OEs
Sprite’s Site: GT Chat Labels: Good, Bad or Simply Wrong
Sprite’s Site: Doggy Classroom Dynamics
Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities and Theory of Positive Disintegration
Cybraryman’s Asynchronous Development Page
Hoagies’ Blog Hop: Overexcitabilities (OEs)
Living & Learning with Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities
Living With Intensity (Amazon)
Parenting Emotionally Intense Gifted Children
Photo #1 courtesy of Unsplash
Photo #2 courtesy of Pixabay Pixabay License
Photo #3 courtesy of Pixabay Pixabay License
Photo #4 courtesy of Unsplash
Photo #5 courtesy of Pixabay Pixabay License
Graphics courtesy of Lisa Conrad.
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Best Tips for Parents of a GT Child
Parenting and specifically parenting gifted children has changed dramatically over the past several decades due to the resources and camaraderie afforded by social media. Online groups provide a sense of community for parents of gifted kids who were once separated both geographically as well as socially. Today parents don’t have to make the journey alone. In recent years, parents have also benefited by learning about ways to get together in real life at conferences and regional meetups that were once unknown. Parents can also access much needed information and advice on their own schedule. The convenience of online resources available 24/7 cannot be overlooked.
Parenting is often based on one’s own life experiences, but the challenges of life in today’s world can be very different than they were a generation ago. Parents should seek out current advice whenever possible. The role of asynchronous development can’t be minimized when dealing with life’s big transitions. It differentiates the experiences most gifted children face when transitioning to new educational experiences and meeting life’s milestones. Parents should build a strong emotional bond with their gifted children early in life and consider themselves as partners in the transition process. Each child is an individual with unique attributes and challenges which play a role in that process.
What steps can parents take if they suspect their child is twice-exceptional? A twice-exceptional child will exhibit both abilities and disabilities; strengths and weaknesses at the same time. It is easy for even professionals to misdiagnose these kids. Parents should seek help from those familiar with giftedness. Understanding the needs of twice-exceptional children is a necessary step toward being successful in life. Parents are the first and best advocates. Knowledge about twice-exceptionalism is a powerful tool. Twice-exceptionality is a challenge, but not a roadblock. Once accommodated, 2e kids can lead productive and successful lives. Being proactive in diagnosis and seeking help is the first step.
When should parents seek professional help regarding their gifted child? When that behavior impacts their lives in any significant way, parents should at the least consider a professional diagnosis. When children enter the school system, parents are often guided to seek professional help regarding concerns they might not see in a home setting. If parents see sudden changes in behavior, a decline in school work, or issues with interpersonal relationships between their child and others; they should seek professional intervention.
What should a parent who is experiencing difficulty getting educational services for their gifted child do? Although it shouldn’t be the case, parents often find themselves on the opposite side of educational priorities from their child’s school personnel. It’s important to document everything in writing. Know that the school will be doing the same. It may not seem fair, but parents need to keep their cool when advocating on behalf of their child. Patience can be beneficial in getting the best educational placement as well as serving as a role model for their child. There are many factors – positive and negative – weighed by a school district in providing services to an identified gifted child. Parents need to be aware of the school’s philosophy on GT education and the availability of resources.
Being the parent of a gifted child has its ups and downs, but things really do eventually work out. The ‘little lawyer’ in elementary school turned defiant teen in high school will one day be your best friend. Networking with other parents of gifted children is a great way to save your sanity, know that you aren’t alone, and provide for ‘strength in numbers’ when working with schools to provide the highest quality of education for your child.
A transcript of this chat may be found at Wakelet.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Thursdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Fridays at 2PM NZST/Noon AEST/1 AM UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Wakelet. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news and information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Resources:
My Son Is A ‘Gifted Child’ Here’s Why Raising Him Has Been Anything But Easy
For Gifted Kids, Better to be Hands-on or -off?
A Middle School Survival Guide for The Parents of Gifted Children
Wonderschooling: Living in a World of Input Overload
Grayson School Blog: The Intrinsic Intensity of the Gifted Child
Hoagie’s Gifted Education Page: Parents of Gifted Children
Tips for Handling Gifted Children: For Parents and Teachers
Why Being Gifted Isn’t Always a Gift
When Gifted Kids Move: Tips for Parents and Districts
What Most Parents of Gifted Children Wish They had Known about College Planning
Choices Exclude: The Existential Burden of Multipotentiality
When Your Gifted Child Disappoints
Twice Exceptional: Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities Considerations Packet
Cybraryman’s Gifted Parenting Page
Cybraryman’s Twice Exceptional Children Page
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
Parents of Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Kids Facebook Group
If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional (book)
Crushing Tall Poppies (blog)
Image courtesy of Unsplash
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad
