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What to Do When Friends & Family Don’t Get Gifted

Any parent of a gifted child will tell you friends and family can unfortunately make a difficult situation worse with insensitive comments. There are strategies available to mitigate negative comments and actions.

Varying abilities can play a role in family dynamics. When talking about abilities, all family members should be considered; parents as well as siblings. It’s fairly common to have a range of abilities within the same family. Issues may arise between gifted and highly gifted or twice-exceptional siblings. If parents present as 2E or highly gifted, it can also make a difference.

There are times when a child’s giftedness will become more of an issue than normal. These can include the first day of school, school transitions, or graduation when a child has been accelerated and age differences are accentuated. Holidays involving extended family also make for tense situations at a time when sensitivities are already on overload.

Insensitive comments can come from both friends and strangers. Hopefully, very young children do not hear them because most often they will understand the intent. It helps to talk about what it means to be gifted with the child; not ‘better than’, but ‘better at.’ (Delisle)

There are strategies parents can use to respond to envious comments from other adults. They can attempt to educate others about what giftedness is and isn’t. There were many resources shared during this chat and included in the links below. In the end, it may be in everyone’s best interest to ignore comments not made in the presence of the child.

Where can parents find support in resolving issues with friends and family? Initially, parents should look for support locally; either in the form of existing groups of gifted parents or by forming such a group. Most kids know who is in the gifted program at their school. Also, state and national gifted organizations have parent divisions. Well known groups supporting parents include SENG and Gifted Homeschoolers Forum. A transcript of this chat may be found at Storify.

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 2 PM 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 Storify. 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

Links:

My Child is Gifted and I Can’t Talk about Him

The Truth about ‘Gifted’ Versus High-Achieving Students

Why You Still Don’t Believe That You’re Gifted

What Does Gifted Look Like? Clearing Up Your Confusion

Family Life with Gifted Children

Tips for Parents: How Gifted Children Impact the Family

Life in the Asynchronous Family

Off the Charts: Asynchrony and the Gifted Child (Amazon)

What I Want You to Know about my Gifted Son

10 Facts You May Not Know About Gifted Children But Should

What to Say (and What Not to Say) When You Meet the Parents of a Gifted Child

I’m Not Bragging When I Say My Child is Gifted

If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional (Amazon)

Envy and Your Gifted Child

Envy and Giftedness: Are We Underestimating the Effects of Envy?

My Child is Gifted: Do You Think I’m Bragging Now?

GHF Brochures

Sprite’s Site: Surviving the Holidays

Sprite’s Site: Surviving the Christmas Season

Sprite’s Site: I Love Christmas But …

Living with Gifted Children

Sprite’s Site: When Extended Family Don’t Get Giftedness

Are All Children Gifted?

Photo courtesy of Pixabay and Pixabay CC0 Creative Commons

Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad

The Power of Self-Advocacy for Gifted Learners

Sep 26

Posted by gtchatmod

The Power of Self-Advocacy for Gifted Learners was recently released by Free Spirit Publishing and we were excited to have the author, Deb Douglas, as our guest this week on #gtchat. It proved to be a much needed topic and drew many new participants to the chat.

One of the greatest impediments to self-advocacy for gifted learners are the adults who become over-involved. Far too often, parents and teachers are so used to advocating when kids are young; they don’t know when to stop.

Self-advocacy is a part of growing up. A key benefit of teaching gifted learners to self-advocate is that it has a profound effect on a student’s later success. Gifted people in general use self-advocacy techniques throughout their lives; but they must learn them first.

Like all students, gifted learners’ educational experiences should ensure continual growth in academics and socially. They should be taught to advocate for experiences they truly want and will use.

What should students consider when self-assessing their own needs prior to self-advocacy? Self-assessment needs to start early and develop into a continual process throughout their time in school. It should be combined with determining personal goals and how to meet them.

Parents play an important role in helping students become successful self-advocates. Parents are their child’s first role model. They should be consistent, positive, and empathetic to child’s needs. Students will find success as self-advocates when parents learn to allow their child to take the lead when ready.

Students should first create an Action Plan. They go hand in hand with setting goals and deciding how they will be reached. Action plans should list necessary steps and a realistic timeline to reach goals. A transcript of this chat may be found at our Storify page.

Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Tuesdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Wednesdays 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 Storify. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news & information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.

Links:

Power of Self-Advocacy for Gifted Learners: Teaching the 4 Essential Steps to Success (Amazon)

Empower Gifted Learners to Advocate for Themselves

GT Carpe Diem

About GT Carpe Diem Consultant, Deb Douglas

Deb Douglas’ Speaker/Author Brochure (pdf)

GT Carpe Diem Workshop Brochure (pdf)

GT Carpe Diem Self-Advocacy

About Deb Douglas (Free Spirit Publishing)

GT Carpe Diem (Facebook)

Four Simple Steps to Self-Advocacy

Pre-Conference: Empowering Gifted Students’ Self-Advocacy at WATG 2017

What Makes You Unique – Fostering an Ongoing, Honest, Factual Dialogue (pdf p.23)

Living with Intensity Understanding Sensitivity, Excitability & Emotional Development of Gifted (Amazon)

When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers: How to Meet Their Social & Emotional Needs (Amazon)

Smart Teens’ Guide to Living with Intensity: How to Get More Out of Life and Learning (Amazon)

More Than a Test Score: Teens Talk About Being Gifted, Talented, or Otherwise Extra-Ordinary (Amazon)

Sprite’s Site: Boredom Bingo

Letting Go While Holding On and Changing BLAH to AHHHHH! (pdf) Courtesy of NAGC

Re-Forming Gifted Education: How Parents and Teachers Can Match the Program to the Child (Amazon)

Self-advocacy for Gifted Teens and Tweens: How to Help Gifted Teens Take Control of their Classroom Experience

Stepping Back from Overparenting: A Stanford Dean’s Perspective (Podcast 21:46)

Title graphic courtesy of Lisa Conard.

Photo and all other graphics courtesy of Deb Douglas.

Posted in Advocacy, Education, gifted and talented, gifted education

Resources for Parents of Gifted and 2E Kids

Aug 1

Posted by gtchatmod

Please find resources for parents of gifted and 2E (twice-exceptional) children in the links below. Many thanks to all who contributed links to resources during the chat. A transcript may be found at Storify.

Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT welcomes, Sheri Hicks, CAE, new Executive Director of the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented.

Links:

National Association for Gifted Children: Parent Resources

Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented: Parents

GHF: Gifted Homeschoolers Forum – Parent Resources

World Council for Gifted & Talented Children

SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)

Council for Exceptional Children – The Association for the Gifted

Institute for Educational Advancement

Texas Parents of the Profoundly Gifted

Byrdseed: Parent Resources

PG Retreat

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

Duke Talent Identification Program

Northwestern Center for Talent Development

University of Denver: Rick Center for Gifted Children

Davidson Young Scholars

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Acceleration Institute – A Nation Empowered

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page

Cybraryman’s Gifted & Talented Page

Cybraryman’s Twice-Exceptional Children Page

48 Essential Links for Parents of Gifted Children

Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education and Talent Development: Websites for Parents

Mensa for Kids

Buck Institute for Education

Coppell Gifted Association (TX)

Grapeville-Colleyville SAGE (TX)

Frisco Gifted Association (TX)

2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter (website)

Gifts for Learning (blog)

Gifted Challenges (blog)

Sprite’s Site (blog)

Gifted Guru (blog)

Laughing at Chaos (blog)

Gifted Parenting Support (blog)

Crushing Tall Poppies (blog)

Raising Lifelong Learners (blog)

My Little Poppies (blog)

The Fringy Bit (blog)

The High Flyer (blog)

Supporting Gifted Learners (FB)

About Gifted Children (FB)

NAGC (FB)

Dyslexia Group (FB)

Learning Ally Parent Chat (FB – Closed)

AUS: Gifted Education Research Resource & Information Center (GERRIC)

Gifted Development Center (Dr Linda Silverman)

Understood (website)

Dr. Lynne Kenney (website)

Davidson Academy (NV)

WKU: Center for Gifted Studies (KY)

A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children (Great Potential Press)

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students (Amazon)

#gtchat Blog: Online Programs for Gifted Students

FB: Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT

FB: Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

FB – GHF: Gifted Homeschoolers Forum

GHF Online (online classes)

Mr. Gelston’s One Room Schoolhouse (online classes)

Online G3 (online classes)

Gifted&Talented.com (online classes)

Shmoop (online classes)

Kahn Academy (online classes)

Background Noise (Amazon)

If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back? (Amazon)

Smart but Scattered (Amazon)

Giftedness 101 (Amazon)

Parenting Gifted Children (book – NAGC)

Problem Child or Quirky Kid?: A Commonsense Guide for Parents (Amazon)

Your Rainforest Mind (Amazon)

Children with High-Functioning Autism: A Parent’s Guide (Amazon)

Kindling the Spark: Recognizing and Developing Musical Talent (Amazon)

List: Who to Follow on Twitter (Moderator)

Thanks to Leslie Graves, Past President of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, for sharing her extensive links on Livebinders for parents of gifted children.

2E Livebinder

History Livebinder

Art/Art Interactives Livebinder

Codes and Cyphers for Kids Livebinder

Social Sciences and Humanities Livebinder

Math 2 Livebinder

Museum Sites Livebinder

Gifted and Mental Health Issues Livebinder

Languages Livebinder

Science Livebinder

Photo courtesy of Pixabay CC0 Public Domain

Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.

Posted in family, gifted and talented, gifted education, parenting, Parents, Twice-exceptional

1 Comment

Tags: gtchat, parenting, parenting blogs, Parents, resources, TAGT, twice exceptional, Twitter

Parents and Teachers: Finding Common Ground

Aug 14

Posted by gtchatmod

This week, we were joined at #gtchat by 3 educators of gifted children; Angie French, Heather Cachat, and Jeff Shoemaker. Angie is a GT Specialist for K-4 in Houston, Texas. Heather is a Gifted Intervention Specialist for 5/6 in Ohio and a SENG Model Parent Group Facilitator. Jeff is a Gifted Intervention Specialist for grades 5-8 in Lima, Ohio and OAGC Teacher Division Chair Elect. Heather and Jeff are Co-Moderators of #ohiogtchat on Sundays.

It’s no secret that parent-teacher relationships can often be strained; but even more so with parents of gifted children. As students begin to return to school, we took a look at ways to improve the relationship in a non-confrontational setting exploring ways to help all parties to work together for their children and students.

It was pointed out by the moderator that most teachers do not have a strong knowledge-base on which to draw about needs of gifted children. However, parents often don’t realize the restrictions and responsibilities placed on teachers today by their school administrations. This lack of knowledge can lead to misunderstandings. In addition, Jeff commented about the reluctance of teachers to acknowledge that parents usually know their child best. Friction can also be the result of competing goals and different perspectives of what is best for the child.

There are strategies which teachers can use to increase positive engagement with parents. Teachers need to renew their communication toolboxes each new school year; not rely on antiquated tools. They can seek out professional development regarding gifted education not provided at the undergraduate level. Heather suggested that teachers, “Validate their concerns. Parents need to know that teachers sincerely take them seriously.” Corin Goodwin, Executive Director of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum, said, “Listening. Putting aside assumptions. Not dismissing parents – especially moms – like they’re all crazies or helicopter parents.Work on problem solving *together* as allies instead of antagonists.”

Parents can also work to forge a productive relationship with their child’s teacher. Heather told us, “Acknowledge the work teachers are doing with your child. Don’t talk yourself out of reaching out to your child’s teacher.” Jeremy Bond, a parent in CT, said, “Establish from the outset how you want to communicate and what you hope to learn about their classroom.” It can be beneficial to provide teachers with an information portfolio of the child’s behaviors (academic/social/emotional) outside of school.

The parent-teacher relationship can affect student achievement. Kids, especially gifted kids, are highly cognizant of parent-teacher relationships. Adults need to be aware of emotional repercussions that may result due to their actions and work to prevent any negative reactions. Mutual respect by all parties can enhance and propel student achievement.

Can technology bridge the parent-teacher communication gap? New technologies can only help when everyone understands how to use the tools available. Not every new piece of technology is right in every situation. Be aware of cultural concerns and the availability of whatever tech is chosen. (See ‘suggestions’ in the links below.)

Clearly, good parent-teacher relationships will have a positive effect on a child’s educational experience. All parties must be committed to continually improving this relationship. When a parent or teacher does not believe this is occurring, they should take steps to seek assistance. This may include working with school administrators, counselors, or outside advocates. The most important thing is to keep the best interests of the student in the forefront of all discussions. A transcript of this chat may be found at Storify.

Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Tuesdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Wednesdays at Noon (12.00) NZST/10.00 AEST/1.00 UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Storify. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news & information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.